Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List
             VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT
                  http://www.RashiYomi.com/
                  Surfing the Talmudic Seas
               (C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2006
               Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel

                     Volume 31 Number 12
          For the WORD QUALITY HTML VERSION click here
               -----------------------------------
               http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h31n12.htm
               -----------------------------------
                     Produced Nov 10, 2006
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#*#
HELPFUL READING TIPS
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE WHAT SHOULD YOU READ SECTION COLOR
Only 2-3 mintues SUCCINT SUMMARY BROWN
Only 5-8 minutes LISTS BROWN/BEIGE/BLUE
Maybe 20-30 minutes BIG FOOTNOTE SECTION GREEN SECTION
Time to do research SUMMARY OVERVIEWS*2 Newsletter Bottom
COMMENTS
*1 FIXED WIDTH FONTS are needed for the TEXT version
For the HTML version you do not need to reset the browser

For html or PDF version visit
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ris.htm

*2 Each digest has two summary overviews on bottom:
- LIGHTNING SUMMARIES (List of lists in this issue)
- OVERVIEW (List of Rashis covered in this issue)

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn21-01b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn21-01b Gn21-01d
Gn21-01b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
A powerful but simple Rashi method is the CITATION or CROSS-
REFERENCING of an OTHER VERSE for the purpose of adding
FURTHER DETAILS to a verse we are studying. We call this
the OTHER VERSE method. There are three submethods to the
OTHER VERSE method.

If the verse actually CITES or refers to an OTHER VERSE we
call this the SUBMETHOD of CITATION.

If the OTHER VERSE explains the meaning of
some term in the first verse we call this the SUBMETHOD
of MEANING.

If the first verse does not cite an other verse and if
no meaning is explained then we call this the SUBMETHOD
of FURTHER DETAILS since the 2nd verse either confirms
the first verse or typically adds FURTHER DETAILS to
the first verse

EXAMPLE 1: Gn21-01b
-------------------------------
Today we introduce a new method to explain
Rashis using the OTHER VERSE method.
- We CITE the verse Rashi is commenting on
- We place in BRACKETS [] the cited verse

The reader can then either
- read the original verse by skipping brackets,OR
- read the original verse WITH the Rashi comments

This method of presentation allows the Rashi comments
to FLOW more naturally.

----------------------------------------------
And the Lord visited Sarah [with a child]
as he had cited, [in verses Gn15-01:04]
and the Lord did to Sarah
as he had spoken [To Abraham] ....[in verses Gn17-15:16]

For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham
a son in his old age,
at the set time of which God had spoken to him
-----------------------------------------------

Rashi also points out that the two cited
verses MATCH, WORDWISE with the citations
- The Biblical root Aleph-Mem-Resh, meaning SPOKEN
is used in Gn17-15:16 and
- The Biblical root, Daleth-Beth-Resh, meaning CITED
is used in Gn15-01:04
These citations correspond to the uses of SPOKEN
and CITED in Gn21-01:04.

LIST210u summarizes the above examples, provides
further detail and lists other examples of verse
pairs with one verse illuminating an OTHER VERSE
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS OTHER VERSES
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS FURTHER DETAILS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #1
SEE BELOW LIST210u
List of verses pairs with one verse illuminating another
LIST210u
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

List of verses pairs     with one verse illuminating another
LIST210u CONTINUES LIST210a and lists LIST210v-LIST210z
VERSE TEXT OF VERSE OTHER VRSE DETAILS
Gn21-01b Visited Sarah as SAID Gn17-15:16 Had a child at 90
Gn21-01d Did to Sarah as CITED Gn15-01:04 Had a child at 90
Gn12-06d WingName*5 Gn11-04 Build City Make NAME
Gn14-05b CDRLoMR & KINGS WITH HIM Gn14-01 4 King ALLIANCE
Gn14-07c ChaTzaTzoN TaMaR 2C20-02 Same as AYN GEDI
Gn08-06b WINDOW or ARK Gn06-16 Ark had LIGHT/DOOR*4
Gn04-04a God ACCEPTED offering 1K18-37:38 ...thru GOD FIRE
------- ------------------- --------- -------------------
Dt33-21d He*1 encouraged
Dt33-21e at FRONT of nation*2 Dt03-18 Gad at battle FRONT
Dt33-21f He did RIGHT THING Nu03-20:22 Approves Gad plan*2
Dt33-21 He did Jews JUSTICE Nu32-06:13 Moses argues Gad*2
------- ------------------- --------- -------------------
Dt33-18b Rejoice
Dt33-18c Zevulun in GOING OUT Gn49-13 SEA-FARER*3
Dt33-18d Yissachar in TENTS Gn49-14 FARMER*3
------- ------------------- --------- -------------------
Dt33-18 Zevulun/Yischar commrce 1C12-33*3 Spare time-calendar
COMMENTS
*1 Moses cleverly shows that Dt33-21 could equally refer to
- Gad who behaved righteously with Jews by fighting for them
- Moses who argued the case of the Jews before Gad

Rashi intends that BOTH interpretations are
simultaneously true
- The purpose of PROSE is to INFORM
- The purpose of POETRY is to EVOKE

*2 The following background will help understand Dt33-21
- Gad was satisfied with the trans-Jordan lands
of the conquered land of Sichon and Og
- But Moses argued that if they just inherited these
lands it would be unfair to the rest of the Jewish
people who had to fight a conquest of Israel
- So Gad offered to lead the conquest of Israel and
only then return to their trans-Jordan home

*3 The FIRST simple meaning of the text is that
- Yissachar             Zevulun    had partnership of
- farmer                sea farer  for purposes of
- produce               export

But in their spare time BOTH YISSACHAR/ZEVULUN needed to
study calendar making in order to
- navigate the sea
- plan planting/sowing seasons.

Hence the SECOND simple meaning of the text is that
- Yissachar                 Zevulun had partnership of
- seaons calculation        star navigation
and were experts in calendar laws which in Jewish law
is considered a deep part of Scholarship.

Note: The simple meaning of the text as imparted by the
above OTHER VERSES is that BOTH
- Zevulun and Yisachar engaged in Torah/Calendar study
- Zevulun and Yisachar engaged in business
Judaism advocates combining Torah study with business

*4 Interestingly Rashi on Gn06-16 offers TWO interpretations of
-----------------------------
Make a LIGHT for the ark
-----------------------------
- Opinion 1: LIGHT=SPARKLING GEM (To scatter light)
- Opinion 2: LIGHT=Window

However Gn08-06b seems to prove that OPINION 2 is
correct.

How then do we explain Rashi's 1st opinion? Simple!
--------------------------------------------------
- Opinion 1: LIGHT=Window+Sparkling Gem(to intensify light)
- Opinion 2: LIGHT=Window (Without any Gem to scatter light)
--------------------------------------------------

This is an exemplary method for approaching Rashi--we make
both opinions defensible and reasonable!

*5 The Generation of the Tower wished to
- Build a tall tower
- Make a NAME for themselves
So that the Society (vs God) could protect the individual

Rashi sees the person whose name is
---------------
Wing-Name
---------------
as one of the leaders of the Tower builders
- he was interested in Making a NAME for himself
- he was interested in HEIGHT/VISIBILITY (=WING)

This is slightly conjectural (no further supportive
proof is provided. The point to emphasize is that
Rashi is using the OTHER VERSE method.
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn19-14a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn19-14a Gn19-14b
Gn19-14a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main methods is the explanation of meaning
the same way a dictionary explains meaning. We call this
the WORD MEANING method.

----------------------------------------------
Rashi had 10 vehicles to explain meaning. The SYNONYM
submethod takes words with known meanings and shows the
similarity and nuances in each term.
----------------------------------------------

EXAMPLE 1: Gn19-14a Gn19-14b
----------------------------
Verse Gn19-14 describing the advice
the angels gave to Lot to flee the city
of Sedom which they were about to destroy states
-------------------------------------------
And Lot went out, and spoke
- to his GROOMS,
- [to those] who had TAKEN [Rashi: ENGAGED] his daughters,
and said, Arise, get out from this place;
for the Lord will destroy this city.
But they thought he was joking.
-------------------------------------------

The Rashi comments have already been inserted in brackets.
Rashi distinguishes the two synonyms
-----------------------------------------
- GROOMS means ALREADY married SONS-IN-LAW
- TAKER OF WOMEN means ENGAGED
-----------------------------------------

This usage is consistent with other usages of these
terms.

LIST955y presents other Rashis commenting on SYNONYMS
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS SYNONYMS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW LIST955y
List of Synonym pairs
LIST955y
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

List of                  Synonym pairs
LIST955y continues LIST955z
LIST955z continues LIST955a
VERSE WORD BASIC IDEA NUANCES
Gn19-14a GROOM son-in-law son-in-law
Gn19-14b TAKER son-in-law engaged*6
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt25-19a ERASE CONQUER Complete destruction*3
Dt20-20 SUBDUE CONQUER Conquer*4
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt24-10 &-B-@ COLLATERAL Collateral at TIME OF LOAN
Dt24-17b STRING COLLATERAL ADD STRINGS (after loan)*5
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt04-20a KWR POT CALDRON POT(refines metals)
- - - - POT POT Ordinary pot
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt16-20 C-D-Q Just Justice--judicial procedure
Dt06-18a @WBI$R Just Court Compromise
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Dt01-13e Y-D-& KNOWN Familiar / Familiarity
- - - - - - - KNOWN Knowledge
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Nu15-39b TTWRW Go after EXPLORE fantasys (as in Eng)
- - - - H-L-K go after FOLLOW one's desires
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Lv16-16b X-@-A SIN Error-inadvertent
Lv16-16b P-$-& SIN Rebellion
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Ex29-26a N-W-P OSCILLATE waive to/fro-HORIZONTALLY*2
Ex29-27b R-W-M OSCILLATE oscillate up/down-VERTICALLY
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Lv07-32a $-W-Q Leg CALF (MIDDLE part of leg)
- - - - I-R-K Leg THIGH(Upper part of leg)
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Lv05-15d $-H SHEEP*1 Young sheep (newborn or 1 yr)
Lv05-15d AIL RAM*1 Rams (2 or more years)
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
Lv01-17c $-S-& CUT RIP
- - - - K-R-T CUT CUT
-------- ------ ---------- -----------------------------
COMMENTS
*1 Rashi does not indicate how he knows that the
cutoff point for ram vs sheep is 2 years.
- Perhaps this is general knowledge which shepards
know (That maturation takes places at two)
- Supportive verses show that a one year old
is still considered a sheep (Eg Ex12-05)

*2 Also Lv07-34a See LIST955p for an analysis
of verses with WAIVE vs OSCILLATE

*3 Cf. 1S15-03 where the explicit order to totally
exterminate Amalayk was given

*4 There are many words for conquer: CONQUEST, SUBDUE,
SMITE, WAR, etc. Our point here is to emphasize that
ERASE means REMOVE ALL MEMORY.

*5 Cf. The English metaphor "No strings attached."

*6 The idea that TAKER OF WOMAN=ENGAGED while
GROOMS=ALREADY MARRIED fits into the following verses,
Gn20-02:04
--------------------------------------------------
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister;
and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and became
ENGAGED to [litrally: TOOK] Sarah. But God came to
Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him,
Behold, you are but a dead man, because of the
woman whom you have taken;  for she is a man’s wife.
But Abimelech had not CONSUMATED the marriage;
and he protested, ....
----------------------------------------------------

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn19-29a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn19-29a Gn21-30c
Gn19-29a
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Rashi will very often take a verse whose
meaning is ALREADY understood and ADD a consequence
to the verse.

In other words the
- WORDS and
- GRAMMAR
used by the verse are standard and understood.
- OTHER VERSES do not add further details to
the verses meaning.

If Rashi adds consequences or assumptions or methods to
the verses meaning we call this the SPREADSHEET
method since SPREADSHEETS are very often
used to derive consequences from otherwise
understood data.

If the additional inferences are
- numerical, and can be depicted with a
SPREADSHEET of numbers we say Rashi is
using the ALGEBRAIC spreadsheet method
- diagramatic, we say Rashi is using the
GEOMETRIC spreadsheet method
- verbal-logical, we say Rashi is using
the CONSEQUENCE SPREADSHEET method.

EXAMPLE Gn21-30c
----------------
Verse Gn21-30c states that the taking
by Avimelech of 7 sheep will be a symbolic
witness that the well Abraham was disputing
with Avimelech belongs to Abraham. Rashi
gives a plausible reason HOW the taking
of these 7 sheep proves the well
belongs to Abraham
----------------------------------------
Abraham did not just dig and own the well.
Abraham was also thoroughly familiar with the
well. He knew what times of day gave the best
water performance. Consequently Abraham's sheep
were healthier than Avimelech's sheep because
Abraham's sheep were better fed. When Avimelech
took the 7 sheep he acknowledged that they
were a gift, a present, something of worth for
a king. This affirmed that Abraham knew the ins
and outs of the well and that he was the real
owner
----------------------------------------

Again: Rashi is not relating to us something
that is IN the text but rather something OUTSIDE
of the text. Rashi is presenting a REASONABLE
account of HOW Abraham symbolically affirmed
ownership of the well.

EXAMPLE Gn19-29a
----------------
Verse Gn19-29a states that
----------------------------------
When God destroyed Sedom and Amorah
- God remembered Abraham
- God saved Lot from the destruction...
----------------------------------

The verse is perfectly clear--Lot was saved.
It is also clear WHY Lot was saved since at the
beginning of this chapter we learn how
hospitable Lot was.(Hence the verse mentions
...REMEMBERS ABRAHAM...SAVES LOT...since Lot
learned hospitality from Abraham).

However Rashi adds an additional reason of merit
for being saved
---------------------------------------------
Recall from Gn12-10:20 that Abraham was afraid
of being murdered when he came to Egypt so that
Sarah could be (legally) married to Egyptian
leadership. To protect himself Abraham said Sarah
was his sister (Hence, there was no reason to murder
him since Abraham could be "bought" for his sister.)
However Lot knew that Sarah was Abraham's wife. He
could have blown the cover and received a hefty reward.
(Note: Lot was "into rewards.") His silence on Abraham's
lie was a meritorious act which saved him later
----------------------------------------------

LIST690z below presents other Rashis using the
SPREADSHEET METHOD
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: SPREADSHEETS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS ALGEBRA
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #30
SEE BELOW LIST690z
List of Rashis comments a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram
LIST690z
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

List of Rashis comments a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram
LIST690z continues LIST690a
VERSE Item Spreadsheet is used for
Gn19-29a.htm Lots merit:Silent on lie that Sara was Abes sister
Gn19-29a.htm Abraham KNEW his well, hence his sheep healthier*1
Gn20-07a.htm Return wife-he knows no sex-if sex he wouldnt want
Gn11-32a.htm years 1-12 in slavery; rebel years 13-26;27th=war
Gn11-32a.htm EGYPT = SOUTH of ISRAEL
Gn11-32a.htm Abraham left Father in old age to teach about God
Dt26-02d.htm First fruit tied in ribbon so it can be recognized
Dt01-25a.htm Israel is perceived at TOP;other lands are DOWN
Nu33-18a.htm Spies uttered HEATED WORDS against God/Israel
Nu27-02a.htm Inquiry on female inheritance happened in year 40
Nu15-36a.htm EXECUTION chamber is distant from court(..GO OUT.)
Nu15-36a.htm REMEMBER COMMANDS:(Rabbinic)8 threads+5 knots+=613
Nu15-36a.htm REMEMBER REVELATION:SKYblue thread=Heaven
Nu07-84b.htm 10 per ladel;120=12*10 total:No blemish;Exact unit
lv25-48a.htm Prorated linear redemption of Jewish slave
lv16-24d.htm Diagram of TEMPLE proper, ALTAR, TEMPLE COURTYARD
ex35-01a.htm List of 3 40-day ascents by Moses to Mount Sinai
ex32-15a.htm Diagram of the 10 commandments bored in stone
ex26-09a.htm Dimesions of Temple building and curtain coverings
ex10-11b.htm Pharoh denied YOUTH to go--elders and sheep ok
COMMENTS
*1 Rashi literally says
---------------------------------------
The waters of the well rose for Abraham
---------------------------------------

We have interpreted this broadly
---------------------------------------
Abraham knew the hours when it was easiest
to obtain good well water
---------------------------------------

Hence BECAUSE Abraham knew the well he
could feed his sheep properly resulting
in healthier sheep.

Avimelech, by taking the sheep acknowledged
that the sheep were a gift worthy of a king.
This implied that Abraham knew the ins and outs
of the well water and was the true owner of the well
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
LIGHTNING SUMMARIES
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10
# LIST BRIEF SUMMARY OF RASHI EMPHASIZING USE OF RASHI RULES
1 210u (Gn21-01)God gave Sarah a son as promised(Gn15-01:04,Gn17-15:16)
7 955y GROOM=SON-IN-LAW=already married; TAKE WOMAN=engaged
30 690z Abe knew ins and outs of well;His sheep healthier;He=true owner
30 690z Additional merit to be saved:Lot silent on lie:Sara=Abe's sister
COMMENTS

LONGER FOOTNOTES

*10 The explanation of the list should be clear
- The first column gives the NUMBER of the RASHI RULE used
All Rashi rules may be found with examples at
http://wwww.Rashiyomi.com/workbook.htm

- The second column gives the LIST ID (eg LIST210z) which
contains many examples of a particular Rashi technique and
includes the example presented in the third column

- The third column gives a lightning summary of the Rashi
with particular emphasis on the Rashi rule used.

All lists may be found at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lists.htm
Rashis covered in this issue
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== =====================================
Gn21-01b OTHER VERSES God gave Sarah a son AS PROMISED
Gn21-01d OTHER VERSES God gave Sarah a son AS PROMISED
Gn19-14a SYNONYMS GROOM=SON IN LAW=married;TAKE=engaged
Gn19-14b SYNONYMS GROOM=SON IN LAW=married;TAKE=engaged
Gn19-29a SPREADSHEET Abe knew ins/outs of well;good sheep
Gn21-30c SPREADSHEET Abe knew ins/outs of well;good sheep
--------- ---------------- -----------------------------------
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
End of Rashi is Simple Digest
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2006, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#