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)

Some standard METONOMYS name words by their
- FORM (e.g. the PENTAGON)
- FUNCTION (e.g. the UNITED NATIONS)
- FEEL (e.g. HARDship)
- SUBSTANCE (e.g. a GLASS, or GLASSES)
We call this the FFF (Form Function Feel) principle.

The examples below illustrate these techniques.
Throughout these example I cite similar IDIOMS
in English. Exploration of English Dictionaries
and Theosaurii may be found at
http://www.dictionary.com/. Some of the examples
of English usage presented below come from this
excellent website.

To illustrate how to use this web reference:
If I say TO GIVE can mean TO ALLOW then you
- type the word GIVE
- in the SEARCH BOX
- of the above DICTIONARY website
- and click the THEOSAURUS
- and click SEARCH.
Among the SYNONYMS for GIVE presented by the
THEASAURUS is TO ALLOW. Hence Rashi's comment
that TO GIVE means to ALLOW is identical with
English idiomatic usage. This idiomatic sharing
between the two languages enhances the meaningfulness
of Rashi.

EXAMPLES 1,2: Ex03-19b Ex12-23b TO GIVE=TO ALLOW
--------------------------------------------
- A GIFT refers to a transfer of OWNERSHIP of
an OBJECT (Without pay). That is the RECIPIENT
may now USE the object.
- To ALLOW/PERMIT refers to allow doing an ACTIVITY
that formerly was prohibited.

In other words GIFTS or GOOD EXAMPLES of PERMISSION
and ALLOWANCES. Hence the translation GIFT=ALLOW
is an example of SYNECHDOCHE. We see this in Ex03-19b
--------------------------------------------
And the King of Egypt will not ALLOW [literally GIVE]
you to go; not even with a might hand
--------------------------------------------

Similarly Rashi interprets Ex12-23b
-------------------------------------------------
And God will go out in Egypt and see the blood
on the doorposts ...and will not ALLOW the
destroyer to come to your house to destroy
-------------------------------------------------

In English also TO GIVE means to ALLOW as e.g. in
The Judge did not GIVE the permit.

EXAMPLE 3: Ex02-15c To SIT=To DWELL
-----------------------------------
In Hebrew the word SIT also means to DWELL.
The idea is that SITTING (vs STANDING) is
a GOOD EXAMPLE (SYNECHDOCHE!) of staying in
a place for a while (and hence the meaning
TO DWELL). Hence Rashi translates Ex02-15c
------------------------------------------
Moses fled from Pharoh...he DWELT in Midyan
and DWELT by the wells
-------------------------------------------

EXAMPLE 4: Ex10-24a To STAND = to REMAIN
----------------------------------------
In Hebrew as in English to STAND on your
position means to REMAIN in your position.
Here STANDING (vs walking) is a GOOD EXAMPLE
(SYNECHDOCHE!) of REMAINING IN PLACE. (cf the
English "He STANDS for democracy.")

EXAMPLE 5: Ex11-08b WALKERS=FOLLOWers
-----------------------------------------
In Hebrew as in English FOLLOWers are named
by a typical GOOD EXAMPLE (SYNECHDOCHE!) of
following: Namely PHYSICALLY walking and following
the leader. In ENGLISH we call the people FOLLOWERS
while in Hebrew we call the people WALKERS. In
each case the GENERAL idea of FOLLOWING ADVICE and
GUIDANCE is **EXEMPLIFIED** by physically FOLLOWING
or WALKING after a LEADER.

EXAMPLE 6: Ex12-11a BELTED=prepared/Energetically
--------------------------------------------------
Rashi explains that
--------------------------------------
TO BELT means to PREPARE for the road
--------------------------------------

Clearly a GOOD EXAMPLE (SYNECHDOCHE!) of
preparing for a trek is to put on your
hiking belt. Similarly a GOOD EXAMPLE of
preparation in war is to GIRD your utility
belt.

In English we have similar IDIOMS.
- To GIRD means to PREPARE
- To BELT a SONG means to SING IT ENERGETICALLY

EXAMPLES 7,8: Ex12-13c Ex12-23a To SKIP=To OMIT
-----------------------------------------------
In Hebrew as in Enlish To SKIP something
can mean to OMIT it. Here SKIPPING is a GOOD
EXAMPLE (SYNECHDOCHE!) of AVOIDANCE and OMISSION.

Hence the Rashi on Ex12-13c which describes how
---------------------------------------------
God will punish the Egyptian firstborn but SKIP
over the Jewish firstborn
---------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
-----------------------
To SKIP means to JUDGE
------------------------

We would interpret Rashi as follows
---------------------------------------------
A Judge who SKIPS someone has OMITTED punishment
and forgiven him of judgement
---------------------------------------------

Although Rashi connects SKIP with FORGIVE
we think the primary driving force of Rashi is
that SKIP means TO OMIT and hence OMISSION IN JUDGEMENT
is FORGIVENESS Such an approach to Rashi is intuitive
and consistent with IDIOMS in other languages.

Here we have used the technique of MEDIATING VARIABLES
to resolve the problematic Rashi which connects
SKIP with FORGIVE. We have suggested the more plausible
alternative that
- SKIP connects with OMIT and
- OMISSION in a context of Judgement
connects with FORGIVENESS


EXAMPLE 9: Ex13-12a
-------------------
In Hebrew as in English to PASS TO someone
idiomatically can mean to ENDOW. Here, PASSING TO
is a typical gesture(SYNECHDOCHE!) of ENDOWMENT.
Consequently Rashi translates Ex12-13 as follows
-----------------------------------------------
And you shall ENDOW to God all first born;
and all first born animals that are yours,
the males, belong to God
-----------------------------------------------

EXAMPLE 10: Ex14-31a
--------------------
Rashi explains that the phrase GREAT HAND is an
IDIOM meaning GREAT MIGHT. I would go a step further--
citing Rav Hirsch on Psalms 8 I would say GREAT HAND
in Hebrew is like GREAT HANDIWORK in English and connotes
ACCOMPLISHMENT. Here ACCOMPLISHMENT refers not only to
expenditure of ENERGY (MIGHT) but also SKILL and CRAFTSMANSHIP
Hence Rashi could translate Ex14-31a as
---------------------------------------------
The Jews saw the GREAT CRAFTSMANSHIP of what
God did in Egypt and they reveered God and
they had faith in God and Moses his servant
---------------------------------------------

Here CRAFTSMANSHIP (Connoting both ENERGY and
ARTISAN SKILL) are accomplished principally
thru the hand and hence this idiom is another
example of naming by a typically good example
(SYNECHDOCHE).


EXAMPLE 11: Ex03-16a
-------------------
Rashi explains that the word ELDERS can
also mean the LEADERS, MAYORS, SCHOLARS
of the community.

Here Rashi uses SYNECHDOCHE since the ELDERS
are TYPICAL GOOD EXAMPLES of MAYORS and LEADERS
since generally a statesman must have acquired
alot of experience. There are of course exceptions
but the whole point of SYNECHDOCHE is simply to
take a good example.

Rashi does derive that ELDERS = LEADERS from
logic and OTHER VERSES. However we believe that
the SYNECHDOCHE argument has broader application.

EXAMPLE 12: Ex02-16b
-------------------
The Hebrew root Resh-Hey-Tet means
- Water Troughs
- above-ground bridges connecting two buildings(So07-06)

Here both the above-ground bridge and the water trough
have the same FORM--a long rectangular object.

EXAMPLE 13: Ex10-15a
-------------------
The Hebrew root YUD-RESH-KUPH means GREEN.
Hence it refers to VERDURE, the GREEN covering
of meadows. Here the meadow covering is named
by its FORM and COLOR similar to the English
idiom "ORANGE dress" which names a COLOR by an
object with that COLOR. Note that in English also
VERDURE refers to the VERDENT (Green) covering of
a MEADOW.


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

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashi's 10 main goals is explaining word
meaning similar to what a dictionary might do. Rashi
had 10 vehicles by which to explain word meaning.
Rashi will sometimes explain word meaning by methods
common to all languages such as naming by FORM,
FUNCTION, FEEL etc

Today we study naming items by EXAGGERATION, a
techniques common to all languages.

For example BREAKFAST refers to the day-s first meal;
it is the meal where you BREAK your FAST.  Similarly
the SKY-SCRAPER is pictured as SCRAPING the SKY.
Here are some Biblical examples of EXAGGERATION.

EXAMPLE 1 Ex10-21a--a FELT DARKNESS
-----------------------------------
Verse Ex10-21a states
--------------------------------
God said to Moses
Waive your hand on the sky
and there will be darkness in Egypt
and the darkness WILL BE FELT
--------------------------------

Rashi comments
--------------------------------
The phrase DARKNESS WILL BE FELT
is an EXAGGERATION---it simply means
that the darkness will be darker than
night darkness (When there is some
visibility). The darkness will be so
great that movement will be inhibited
(Because you can't see where you are going)
and it will appear as if the darkness is
being FELT and preventing movement
---------------------------------

LIST972a below summarizes these examples and provides
further examples.

Words whose meaning      shows exaggeration

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10