SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
All Rashis clarify the meaning of a verse.
Most Rashis clarify the meaning of verses by
- explaining MEANING including SYMBOLIC meaning
- using GRAMMAR of verbs, sentences or FORMATTING
- using GRAMMAR of paragraphs (STYLE), or
- comparisons with OTHER VERSES including ALIGNMENTS,
CONTRADICTORY VERSES, DATABASE inquiries

If however Rashi clarifies the meaning of a verse
- by making reasonable background assumptions
- add computations or
- exhibiting diagrams
then we say Rashi has used the SPREADSHEET method.
The term SPREADSHEET typically refers to COMPUTATIONAL
clarifications--we however have used it to refer to
any type of NON-VERSE clarification.

Todays examples illustrate the above.

EXAMPLE 1: Gn31-14a
-------------------
Gn31-14a cites Rachel and Leah, Jacob's
wives as saying
--------------------------------------------
Do we have any INHERITANCE in our father's estate
--------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
-----------------------------------------
- Rachel and Leah were women
- Laban presumably had sons
- Under Jewish law when Laban died the
estate goes entirely to his sons with
nothing going to married daughters. Hence
the statement DO WE HAVE ANY INHERITANCE
-----------------------------------------

Here Rashi clarifies the meaning of the verse using
- suitable BACKGROUND assumptions
- very simple inheritance computations (0 inheritance)
Hence we say Rashi uses the SPREADSHEET method.


EXAMPLE 2: Gn31-15a
---------------------------------------------
Gn31-15a discussing Rachel's and Leah's treatment
by their father states
--------------------------------------
We were treated by him as FOREIGNERS
since he SOLD US
--------------------------------------

Rashi clarifies
----------------------------------------
Traditionally when a woman gets married
their father gives them a dowry towards
the marriage.

However for Rachel and Leah's marriage
Laban did the exact opposite; instead
of giving their husband a dowry he made their
husband work for each of them 7 years.

Hence the terms SOLD US and FOREIGNERS in the
above verse since Laban did not treat
his daughters in the traditional manner
----------------------------------------

Here again Rashi clarifies the meaning of
the verse using
- suitable background material
- very simple computations (Dowry gift
vs. work-pay for marriage)
Hence we say Rashi uses the SPREADSHEET method.
Note that Rashi also uses the OTHER VERSE
method here since Gn31-18:28 mentions the
requirement of 7 years work for PURCHASE of
the wives.

EXAMPLE 3: Gn23-10a
--------------------------------------
Gn23-10a discussing the sale of
Chevron to Abraham states
---------------------------------
And Ephron answered Abraham in
FRONT OF ALL WHO CAME TO THE CITY
---------------------------------

Rashi clarifies using the SPREADSHEET
method and an OTHER VERSE
------------------------------------
Gn23-02 speaks about Abraham MOURNING
Sarah after her death.

But it is customary when someone is
mourning to visit the mourner and give
them comfort. Since Abraham was considered
a distinguished person (Gn23-06) it is
reasonable that the whole city came to
visit Abraham (as is the custom with
mourners among leaders).

Eprhon was presumably sitting in the house
of mourning discussing funeral details.
Hence the conversation happened in FRONT
OF ALL WHO CAME TO THE CITY
-------------------------------------

Here again Rashi uses reasonable background
material to clarify the meaning of a verse
and hence we classify it as use of the SPREADSHEET
method.

How should we regard such Rashi comments? We
should not regard them as ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY--
but rather we should regard them as PLAUSIBLE
and REASONABLE.

EXAMPLE 4: Gn24-36a
----------------------------
In Verse Gn24-36a Eliezer,
Abraham's servent, discusses
Isaac's marriage suitability
The verse states
--------------------------------
Sarah, my Master's wife, gave
birth to a son to him in his old
age and my Master GAVE this son
all my Master owns
--------------------------------

Rashi clarifies the statement
that Abraham GAVE his son all he has
-----------------------------------
Abraham created a TRUST fund for Isaac
-----------------------------------

Of course the verse doesn't say that
Abraham created a trust fund for Isaac.
However it is unreasoanble that Abraham
forfeited his possessions to his son
during his lifetime. A more plausible
explanation is that he created a trust
fund.

Here Rashi uses reasonable background material
to present a plausible interpretation.

In modern times a trust fund is used because
of its tax advantages. In this Biblical story
the trust fund enhances marriage suitability.

EXAMPLE 5: Gn31-19a Gn31-22a Gn31-23b
-------------------------------------
Rashi creates the following spreadsheet
to explain the 7-day pursuit by Laban of Jacob

Quite simply
- Jacob was at a 3 days journey distance from
Laban (Gn30-36)

- Jacob flees (Gn21-31)

- So it took 3 days for informers to Tell Laban

- So on day 3, Jacob is 6 days journey distance
and Laban finds out (Gn31-22)

- On day 4 Jacob has travelled 4 days and was 3 days
journey ahead to begin with so he is at 7 days distance from
Laban's original point. Laban however made the
seven day journey in one day and catches Jacob.
------------------------------------------------

Diagram
---------------------------------------------------
Distance in JOURNEYS PER DAY
Laban---1---2---3(Jacob)----4-----5-----6-----7
Time 0 (Gn30-36)
Jacob flees (Gn31-21)
Informers go to Laban
Informers take 3 days to reach Laban
(Gn31-22)


Time 3                                 Time 3
Laban finds out                     Jacob at 6 day
(Gn31-22)                           distance


Time 4                                        Jacob
meets
Laban
----------------------------------------------------

LIST691e below summarizes this diagram-spreadsheet
on the Laban-Jacob pursuit.

LIST690z below presents other Rashis using the
SPREADSHEET METHOD

List of                  Times,distances on Jacob/Laban pursuit

List of Rashis comments a)By CONSEQUENCE b)Computation,c)Diagram
LIST690z continues LIST690a

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10