SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals is to give the meaning of
words the same way the dictionary gives meaning. We
call this the Rashi method of WORD MEANING.

All languages allow words to acquire
NEW MEANINGS. Rashi frequently used a
universal principle of all languages---METONOMY.
METONOMY refers to the capacity to name an item
by a related item (such as naming a PEOPLE, Americans,
by the LAND they live in, America)

An special case of METONOMY is naming an object by
- its FORM (e.g. the PENTAGON)
- its FUNCTION (e.g. the UNITED NATIONS)
- its FEEL (e.g. HARDship)

A special use of METONOMY is naming the WHOLE
by the PART (or the PART by the WHOLE). Some
typical examples include
- EXEMPLARY EXAMPLES: e.g. HONEY means anything SWEET
- WHOLE-PART: e.g. Gave HAND in marriage
(But whole person marries)

EXAMPLE 1: Gn23-13b
--------------------
In Gn23-13b Ephron brags about how
he wants to sell his field to Abraham
for a burial plot
---------------------------------------
And Ephron said: It is DONE (I GAVE you
the field)
----------------------------------------

RASHI
----------------------------------
Same as the English idiom CONSIDER IT DONE
It means nothing more has to be done on
your part and it will be taken care of.
----------------------------------

Here Rashi uses the GOOD/BEST EXAMPLE method
of naming since a GOOD EXAMPLE of no-further-work
needed is when it is already DONE.

EXAMPLE 2: Gn31-24a
-------------------
At Gn31-24 God appeared to Laban and said
--------------------------------------
Don't speak to Jacob FROM GOOD TO BAD
--------------------------------------

Rashi explains the CAPPED phrase, GOOD OR BAD
--------------------------------------------
GOOD OR BAD means ANYTHING. God told Laban
not to say ANYTHING (favors or threats) to Jacob
--------------------------------------------

This is similar to the Hebrew Idiom
-----------------------------------
Not from your STING or HONEY
-----------------------------------

Here Rashi uses SYNECHDOCHE since
GOOD or BAD or GOOD examples (or EXTREMES)
of SAYING THINGS to a person.

EXAMPLE 3: Gn31-26a
-------------------
Laban at Gn31-26 complains to Jacob
------------------------------------
Why did you treat my daughters
like CAPTIVES OF THE SWORD
------------------------------------

Rashi explains the capped phrase
----------------------------------
CAPTIVES OF THE SWORD means
CAPTIVES OF WAR
----------------------------------

Here Rashi uses the SYNECHDOCHE/GOOD EXAMPLE
method since CAPTIVES OF THE SWORD is
a GOOD EXAMPLE of CAPTIVES OF WAR

This is similar to the English idiom
BATH-ROOM. Not every BATH-ROOM has a BATH
Some just have TOILET facilities. But a
BEST EXAMPLE of a BATHROOM is a ROOM WITH
TOILETS and BATHS.


EXAMPLES 4,5: Gn24-20a Gn14-14a
-------------------------------
Gn24-20a and Gn14-14a introduce
two idioms for RAPID UNLOADING.
The two idioms use the
two techniques of
- APPEARANCE (Something unloaded is NAKED)
- APPEARANCE (When you pull your sword
you EMPTY the quiver)

Hence the two Rashis
----------------------------------------
- They EMPTIED THEIR SWORDS simply means
they quicly unloaded them from their quivers

- She NAKEDED HER WATER PITCHER means she
COMPLETELY EMPTIED it
-----------------------------------------

Here Rashi uses the techniques of NAMING BY
FORM/APPEARANCE. Although Rashi DOES give other
verses with similar usages we feel that this
is SUPPORTIVE evidence but not necessary since
EVERY language has the right to coin new terms
based on FORM.

Finally note that EMPTIED THE SWORD is a
METONOMY. You don't EMPTY the SWORD but
rather EMPTY THE QUIVER (From the sword).
However METONOMY allows confusing the
QUIVER with the related SWORD.

EXAMPLE 6: Gn31-36a
-------------------
Jacob, at Gn31-36 asks Laban
who had PURSUED him after Jacob fled
--------------------------
Why did you BURN after me
--------------------------

Rashi comments
---------------------
BURN means to PURSUE
---------------------

Here Rashi uses the method of naming
by ACTIVITY FORM since a SPREADING
FIRE resembles in form a PURSUING POSSY.

Again: Although there are other verses
to support Rashi's contention we believe
the main driving force of his comment
is the universal feature of all languages
to NAME BY FORM. The other verses are
consequently only supportive.

LIST871z presents these and
other IDIOMS based on metonomy, synechdoche, and FFF.

List of idioms using METONOMY/SYNECHDOCHE(Meaning by relation)
LIST871z continues LIST871d LIST871c LIST871b LIST871a

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10