Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List
(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 1999
http://www.shamash.org/rashi
Volume 4 Number 18
Produced Dec, 24 1999
Topics Discussed in This Issue
------------------------------
v6-12-20
NEW: We are previewing our lists with questions--HOW
WOULD YOU MAKE THIS LIST--these QUESTIONS will be
answered at the bottom of the lists. (This is our 4th
attempt to introduce questions and answers to help along
in readability)
v1a49-11
Abstract concepts are illustrated by GOOD EXAMPLES a)
WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN WINE symbolizes HAVING LOTS OF WINE
b) TIEING A DONKEY TO A VINE=Having strong vines=HAVING
LOTS OF WINE, c) BEING RED EYED=HAVING LOTS OF WINE
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
***************************
*** READING TIPS ***
***************************
IF YOU ARE IN A HURRY WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:
* VERSE:
* RASHI TEXT:
* BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
"HOW DO I FIND QUICKLY A SPECIFIC SECTION?"
ANSWER: Use your FIND menu
For example: FIND VERSE:
takes you to the beginning of the next section.
Similarly
FIND NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
takes you to the brief explanation of Rashi.
"IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO GO TO EACH VERSE AND POSTING?"
Yes. Use your FIND menu.
"FIND #*#*#*#" takes you to the next posting
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v6-12-20
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% NEW %%
%% QUESTIONS AND %%
%% ANSWERS %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
I have a new technique for involving readers with QUESTIONS
and answers.
Whenever I mention a LIST I ask the reader how he/she would
construct the list to prove the point. These questions are
enclosed in %%%%%%% like the box above.
The solutions to these questions are listed at the bottom of
every list SOURCE FOR LIST#.
Needless to say not everything can be done with CD Roms. In
fact in this issue NOTHING can be done with a CD ROM.
I should emphasize that this is my 4th attempt at introducing
questions and answers. The others were stopped because readers
complained about them. Please let me know if you like this as
it will then become a permanant feature of volume 5.
Russell Hendel; Moderator Rashi is Simple
(Keep the questions and comments coming)
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v1a49-11
======
v1a49-11 He (Yehuda) ties a donkey to the vine
v1b49-11 and to the BRANCH the young donkey
v1c49-11 He washes with wine his clothes
v1d49-11 and with the blood of grapes his clothes
v1e49-11 ties
v1f49-11 young donkey
v1a49-12 his eyes REDDENED from wine
v1b49-12 and his teeth from milk
RASHI TEXT:
===========
v1a49-11 "Tying a donkey to a vine"=Strong vines=lots of wine
v1b49-11 The Hebrew word SHRAYKA means a LONG BRANCH
v1c49-11 "Washing clothes with wine"=Lots of wine
v1d49-11 The Hebrew word SUTH means CLOTHING (only once in Tnach)
v1e49-11 The Hebrew form OSRI is like OSR without the "I".
[Rashi gives several other examples of the extra "I"]
v1f49-11 [Rashi summarizes various ALTERNATIVE explanations
mostly from Oonkelos, the Aramaic translation. He
also notes that the HEbrew word
>SUTH= Garment
probably comes from
>SUTH = Seduce
and denotes fancy dresses worn by Judaean women.We
will comment on all these below]
v1a49-12 The hebrew word CHCLILI means REDDENED (from wine)
v1b49-12 ie his teeth are white from PLENTY of milk
[Rashi then comments on the parallelism as well as
on the Aramaic translation. See our comments below]
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
=========================================
An important principle in exploring any Biblical chapter, or
collection of verses, with symbolic content is to find
>the unifying theme.
Many symbolic chapters have underlying themes which unify
the diverse poetic phrases found in that chapter. An important
part of understanding the chapter is to discover this unifying
theme.
This underlying unifying theme is frequently stated explicitly
in the chapter. Thus 1-49-8:10 explicitly states
>Judah, you will be acknowledged
>...you will be like a lion
>..you will be bowed to
>..rulership will not depart from you
In other words, the underlying unified theme is
>good rulership.
Having discovered the unified theme we can now move on
to understand the two verses 1-49-11:12. Rashi uses 5
rules to explain these verses. Some of these rules
are simple and some are peculiar to symbolism.
The first rule is the principle of
>paradigmatic examples
This poetic principle states that a poet has the right to
communicate an abstract idea not by explicitly stating it
but rather by
>good examples, good causes, good effects
of the idea.
Three phrases in 1-49-11:12 illustrate this. Jacob communicates
the idea of
>good bountiful rulership
not by explicitly stating it but rather by giving good examples.
Example 1
---------
>There will so much wine that you will have leftovers
>and YOU WILL WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN WINE
Example 2
---------
>The vines that produce the wine will be so strong that
>YOU WILL TIE WILD DONKEYS TO A VINE
Example 3
---------
>You will have so much wine to drink that
>YOUR EYES WILL BE RED FROM (EXCESSIVE) WINE (DRINKING)
In each of these examples Jacob expresses an
>abstract idea
by using a
>good example
Sometimes these good examples will be PRIMARY effects of the main
idea (eg REDDENED EYES comes from DRINKING which is a PRIMARY
CONSEQUENCE of having wine) while sometimes these good examples will
be SECONDARY effects of the main idea (eg WASHING CLOTHES WITH WINE
is a SECONDARY CONSEQUENCE of have an abundance of wine). The
understanding of these verses is facilitated by observing that the
GOOD EXAMPLES selected are not to be interpreted literally--they
are simply good examples. Thus it is not necessary that
>donkeys be tied to vines in the messianic era
>that washing machines use wine vs water
>that people get drunk till their eyes are red
In short the verses need not ever be literal. They are metaphoric
and hence must be understood using the above symbolic rules.
{LIST3} presents further examples of communication via GOOD EXAMPLES
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% How would you make a list of verses which %%
%% illustrates using GOOD EXAMPLES rather than%QUESTION 3
%% explicit communication %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
{LIST2} takes the examples from {LIST3} and classified them
according to whether they are PREREQUISITES (CAUSES) or
CONSEQUENCES (EFFECTS) and according to whether they are
PRIMARY or SECONDARY.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% {LIST2} is constructed from {LIST3} using %%
%% logic by asking the two questions %%
%% --is the good example a CONSEQUENCE or %%
%% a prerequesite %QUESTION 2
%% --is the good example a PRIMARY or SECONDARY%%
%% consequence/prerequisite %%
%% These questions are asked on all the %%
%% examples in {LIST3} %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
In passing we mention the reason poets use the method of
>PARADIGMATIC EXAMPLES
By using an EXAMPLE vs an EXPLICIT statement we force the
reader to INFER the MAIN CONCEPT from the GOOD EXAMPLE.
By so doing the reader PARTICIPATES in the construction
of the main concept and hence it appears more credible.
Many of the techniques poets use are to force reader
participation so as to make the reader empathic
A second poetic technique rashi used which is common in symbolic
portions is the technique of
>ELLIPSIS
This means that part of a verse is deliberately left out. Again
the intent is to force the reader to SUPPLY the missing part
thereby making the reader more emphathic with the concept.
To appreciate this we consider the verse Isa7-22
>from ABUNDANCE of milk there will be creme
Rashi reads 1-49-12 the same way
>from (ABUNDANCE) of wine you will be RED EYED
The word ABUNDANCE however is elliptical in 1-49-12.
A third very powerful technique used by Rashi is that of
>ALIGNMENT of PARALLEL/CHIASTIC passages.
According to this principle a poet may repeat the
>same idea
two or three times but
>use different words with the same form.
ALIGNMENT reinforces an idea by repeating it. ALIGNMENT
also enables us to infer the meanings of words. It is used
by all commentators--religious and secular---and is a very
powerful technique.
In 1-49-11:12, alignment is used twice to infer meaning
>tieing his donkey to a (mere) VINE (GFN)
>(tieing) a donkey child to a BRANCH (SRK)
Hence, Rashi is Simple: We conclude that
>SRK = BRANCH
Similarly from
>washing in wine his CLOTHES (LVSH)
>(washing) in blood of grapes his GARMENTS(SUTH)
we infer that
>SUTH = GARMENT
Rashi notes that SUTH=GARMENT occurs only this one time in
TNACH. Without the ALIGNMENT method we couldn't fully
understand it.
{LIST1} aligns the verses 1-49-11:12.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% The reader is invited to align 1-49-11:12 %%
%% so that parallel phrases are lined up. This %QUESTION 1
%% is an easy exercise but a fundamental and %%
%% powerful one in understanding Tnach %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
{LIST4} shows other poetic verses using ALIGNMENT.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% How would you construct a list of verses %%
%% each which illustrates the idea of a %QUESTION 4
%% repetition thru parallel structure that %%
%% can be depicted thru alignment? %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Although Rashi learned the meaning of SUTH from alignment
he nevertheless can then SUPPORT this inference with other methods
of word meaning. In particular Rashi notes that the root of SUTH is
>STH = TO SEDUCE
Thus Rashi conjectures that
>SUTH = A Garment used for seduction
and denotes fancy dresses worn by females. Such use of multiple
methods deepens appreciation of the Biblical text.
A fourth method used by Rashi is the principle of
>GRAMMAR
and has nothing to do with symbolism (Though very often
(as is the case here) certain grammatical forms only
appear in symbolic passages). Rashi explains that
>any verb form can take on an additional YUD
>without changing meaning.
In particular we have that
>OSRi = OSR (To tie)
>BNi = BN (my son--(even though it is not a verb))
{LIST5} presents examples of this
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% How would you create a list that shows that %QSTN 5
%% verb forms can add terminal yuds without changing%%
%% meaning? %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A fifth method used by Rashi is the method of
>WORD MEANINGS.
This again has nothing to do with symbolism though very often
symbolic passages will have words never used again in Tnach.
In particular the Hebrew word
>CCHLL
only occurs twice in Tnach. Even rarer is the fact that this is
a 4 letter root! Both occurences of CCHLL are tied to the words
>WINE and EYE
Thus Rashi is simple and translates
>CCHLL AYIN = RED EYED
However in Volume 1 Number 3, v1-41-45 we showed Rashi's general
approach to 4 letter roots. Rashi following the Talmudic sages
regards 4 letter roots as composed of 2 two-letter roots. Thus
>CCHLL = Swirling (LL) in the palate (CCH)
In other words
>CCHLL = excessive drinking (Drunkedness)
and
>CCHLL AYIN = DRUNKEN EYED.
According to this approach the PRIMARY meaning of CCHLL would be
>CCHLL = DRUNKEN EYED
and Rashi simply explains that when you are drunk you look red eyed.
{LIST6} reviews several 4 letters roots and their etymologies.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
%% How would you construct a list of 4 letter roots whose%QSTN 6
%% meaning comes from 2 two letter roots %%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
This completes our analysis of this Rashi and the two verses.
To recap
>The two verses speak about the ABUNDANCE Judah will have
To communicate this abundance Jacob uses 5 techniques
>Paradigmatic examples
>ellipsis
>Parallelism/alignment
>Grammar
>Word meanings
A short summary of the verses is that wine will be so plentiful
that one will wash clothes with it, ones eyes will be red and one
will be able to tie a wild donkey even to a vine. Further comments
are made in the COMMENTS ON RASHIS FORM SECTION.
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
=========================
We add two comments
1) RASHI PREVIEWS RALBAGS FAMOUS TRIPARTATE METHODS
---------------------------------------------------
Notice how there are two Rashis on the word OSRI
>The first rashi explains that TIEING A
>DONKEY TO A VINE is symbolic of lots of wine
Then
>The 2nd rashi explains that the Hebrew
>form OSRi is equivalant to OSR.
Thus Rashi explained the text in two stages
>the meaning stage
>the grammatical stage
This is reminiscent of the Ralbags famous 3 part commentary
on the book of Job. The Ralbag explains each verse 3 times
>the meaning of the WORDS
>the meaning of the SENTENCES
>the overall meaning of the CHAPTER
Notice how Rashi reverses the Ralbags order. Rashi
>first explains overall meaning
>second explains grammar
The last few years in undergraduate mathematics education has
seen a shift from the Ralbag's (logical order) method to Rashi's
emphasize-relevance/meaning-first-method. Motivation is more
important than logic and hence Rashi's method is bearing great
success.
2) THE ARAMAIC TRANSLATION
--------------------------
I have deliberately deleted mention of the Aramaic translations
of these verses. Rashi mentions them but apparently regards
them as homiletic.
WHY? Why are Oonkelos' translations regarded as homiletic.
I have already explained many times (and showed with examples)
that Rashi did NOT believe in explaining every distinct phrase
as having a distinct meaning. IF THE TEXT CALLED FOR AN OVERALL
MEANING THEN RASHI EXPLAINED IT THAT WAY.For example in volume1
number 6 (v2-1-1) Rashi deliberately does NOT explain the repeated
genealogies of the Jews as denoting something extra. He rather
explains the repeated genealogies as a sign of love
>repetition denotes endearment
The only exception is when the repeated phrases form a CLIMATIC
SEQUENCE--then we are justified in interpreted every phrase.
However in 1-49-11:12 there is no apparent way to interpret the
verses climatically. Indeed, Oonkelos' explanation is not
climatic either! Hence, Rashi does not cite it. Instead Rashi
prefers to emphasize the simple meaning of the text which
comes from the parallel phrases.
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
===========================================================
{LIST1} {Alignment of phrases in 1-49-11:12. 5 footnotes refer
to the five techniques by which poetry is explained--
>paradigmatic example
>parallelism
>grammar
>ellipsis
>meaning
Further details are given in the footnotes and cross-
referenced lists}
1st Part 2nd Part 3rd part
=========== =================== =======================
Tieing *1 3 to the vine his donkey
and to the branch*2 the child of a donkey*3
Washing*1 in wine his clothing
in the blood of grapes his dresses *2
red *5 eyes from (plenty of *4) wine
white teeth from (plenty of *4) milk
FOOTNOTES
*1 These phrases show the poetic technique of
>PARADIGMANTIC EXAMPLE
An idea is illustrated not by
>explicitly stating it
but rather
>by stating a GOOD EXAMPLE of it
or
>by stating a CAUSE of it
or
>by stating an EFFECT of it
The good example, cause or effect can be either
>a PRIMARY cause, effect, example
or
>a SECONDARY cause, effect, example.
{LIST3} gives a collection of verses where this technique of
PARADIGMATIC EXAMPLE is used. {LIST2} shows HOW the paradigmatic
example illustrates the basic concept.
In the verses we are studing we have 3 examples
Example1
--------
>Tieing a donkey to a vine
But Jacob didn't really care if donkeys were tied to vines.
Rather his point was that since vines would be so strong that
one could tie donkeys to them therefore there would be a lot
of wine. Similarly Jacob did not care about
Example2
--------
>washing his clothes in wine
But rather, if there was so much wine that there was an excess
then the leftover's could be used to wash clothing. Finally
Example3
--------
>red eyes from wine
is not to be taken literally, for Jacob was giving Judah a
blessing not a curse (and it is a curse to get drunk till
your eyes are red). Rather RED EYES are a SYMPTOM of
excessive drinking which in turn is a SYMPTOM of excessive
harvest and bounty. And it is this bounty which Jacob blessed
Judah with.
{LIST2} also indicates HOW the paradigmatic example indicates
the indicated idea. Sometimes it can do it by a
>CAUSE (strong vines CAUSE a big wine harvest and
strong vines can be used to tie donkeys)
>EFFECT (red eyes are an EFFECT of alot of wine)
>PRIMARY/SECONDARY--(strong vines are a PRIMARY
cause of a big wine supply; by contrast
the capacity to wash ones clothes in wine
is a SECONDARY aspect of wine abundance)
The concept of
>PARADIGMATIC EXAMPLE
was introduced by me in my article
>PSHAT and DRASH, TRADITION, WINTER 1980
*2 These phrases show the technique of
>PARALLEL-CHIASTIC
structure. The same idea is stated TWICE in parallel
or chiastic phrases. These phrases shed light on each
other and help us determine meaning. This is a basic
principle used by ALL commentators. Some examples are
illustrated in {LIST4}. In our verses we have the
following 2 parallelisms
EXAMPLE 1
---------
>tieing the DONKEY to the VINE (GFN)
>tieing the DONKEY CHILD to the BRANCH(SRKAH)
The parallelism shows that
EXAMPLE 2
---------
>SRKAH = GFN = VINE
Similarly the parallelism
>washing in wine his clothes(LVSH)
>washing in the blood of grapes his clothes(SUTH)
shows that
>SUTH=LVSH=Clothes.
Rashi in fact notes that
>SUTH=clothes only occurs once in Tnach
>ROOT STH=seduction; so SUTH=Attractive garments
We have frequently used the technique of
>parallelism
and have called it the ALIGNMENT method. It may be found
under the technique
>DOUBLE PARSHAS.
*3 These phrases illustrate the
>GRAMMATICAL PRINCIPLE
that
>VERB FORMS may have an extra "YUD" or "I" sound at end
Thus the words
>osrI = osr (TIE)
>bnI = bn (son of)
Further examples can be obtained in {LIST5}
*4 These phrases show the poetic technique of
>ELLIPSIS
A crucial part of the sentence is deliberately left out
but can be filled in by the reader. This forces the reader
to PARTICIPATE with with sentence thereby giving more
credibility to its meaning.
In this particular sentence
>red eyes from an ABUNDANCE of wine
>white teeth from an ABUNDANCE of milk
the word
>ABUNDANCE
does NOT occur in the Biblical text. Instead
it must be ELLIPTICALLY supplied by the reader.
cf The EXPLICIT occurence of PLENTY/ABUNDANCE in verse Isa7-22
>From ABUNDANCE of milk there will be creme
ELLIPSIS is a powerful poetic technique that deliberately
creates a sense of confusion and forces the reader to
construct the concepts that the author wished to convey
thereby making him participate with the poet in the expression
of these concepts.
*5 Rashi explains
>MEANING
The Hebrew word
>CCHLL
which only occurs twice in Tnach (here and Prv23-29) means
>red eyed from drunkedness
We have already explained Rashis' approach to 4 letter roots
in Volume 1 number 3, v1-41-45. See {LIST6} below. In this
case we have
>CCHLL = Swirling(LL) in ones palate(CCH)
and would denote
>drunkedness.
Note that according to our etymology
>CCHLL= drunkedness
and
>CCHLL eyes = Drunken looking eyes
Thus the primary meaning of the word is
>drunkedness
not
>red.
Such a perspective is not supported or contradicted by rashi
on this verse which simply explains what
>drunken eyes look like.
{LIST2} {Illustration of the technique of
>PARADIGMATIC EXAMPLE
Stating a concept by stating a good example,a good
cause or a good effect of it rather than by explicitly
stating it. The items on this list listed in column 1
come from {LIST3} with verse citations. We have the
following explanation of columns in this list
>column1 = the concept to be explained
>column2 = the Biblical "good example"
>column4 = is the example a CAUSE or EFFECT
>column3 = is the cause effect PRIMARY/2ndary
By way of illustration we look at the 2nd row
>The concept PLENTY OF WINE is illustrated with
>the verse WASHING CLOTHES IN WINE
>WINE WASHING is the EFFECT of having alot of wine
>WINE WASHING is a 2ndary EFFECT of lots of wine}
CONCEPT TEXT OF VERSE Primary? CAUSE?
============== ================================= ======== ======
Plenty of wine red eyed(from excessive drinking) primary effect
Plenty of wine wash clothes in wine(from excess) secondary effect
Plenty of wine tieing donkies to vines(strong) secondary cause
Stand up gird your loins secondary cause
plenty of food fill the granary with grain primary effect
help poor lift poor from dust secondary cause
rich,well off perfumed garments secondary effect
strong wine red wine secondary effect
{LIST3} {List of verses using the technique of
>PARADIGMATIC EXAMPLES
The verses states an abstract concept NOT by
explicitly stating it but rather by showing
>A GOOD EXAMPLE OF IT
Thus instead of God explicitly asking Job to
>stand up for himself
God instead asks Job to
>gird your loins
something done in time of war when you stand
up for yourself militarily}
VERSE TEXT TEXT MEANS
======== ================================== =====================
Job38-3 Gird your loins like a man Stand up for yourself
Joel2-24 Fill the granaries with grain Plenty of food
Ps113-7 Lifts the poor from the dust Helps the poor
Ps45-9 garments perfumed with myrr,aloe.. You'll be well off
Prv33-21 wine when it is red strong wine
SOURCE TO LIST 3: You cannot solve this with a CD rom.
However certain books of the Bible are intrinsically poetic.
Hence if you open them you will find examples. The poetic books
are Isa, Jer, Ez, 12 minor prophets, Ps, Prov, Job.
{LIST4} {Illustrations of PARALLELISM in the Bible. Verses
are cited with a 1st and 2nd repetition of an
identical theme}
Header EX-1 EX-2 EX-3
====== ============ ============================ =================
Verse Isa1-2 Prv3-19 Yoel3-1
1st Hear Heaven Founded earth with wisdom Elders will dream
2nd Listen Earth Prepared heaven with insight youth will vision
SOURCE TO LIST 4: You cannot solve this with a CD rom.
However certain books of the Bible are intrinsically poetic.
Hence if you open them you will find examples. The poetic books
are Isa, Jer, Ez, 12 minor prophets, Ps, Prov, Job.
{LIST5} {Verses illustrating the principle of
>THE EXTRA YUD
A verb can have added a terminal YUD without
extra meaning}
WORD WITH
VERSE EXTRA "I" TEXT OF VERSE
======= ========= ==============================================
Ps113-7 mkimI He LIFTS the poor from the dust
Ps123-1 hyshvI You, God, who SIT in heaven
Ovad1-3 shcnI he who DWELLS in the rockcliffes
1-49-11 osrI TIEING his donkey to vines
1-49-11 bnI tieing to the branch the SON of a DONKEY
Ps45-9 mnI from Ivory towers--from them you'll be happy*1
*1 Note how BOTH the "I" and "Non-i" form occur together in
parallel in the same verse
>FROM (MN) ivory towers---FROM (MNI) them...
SOURCE TO LIST 5: You cannot solve this with a CD ROM.
Instead I used
>the examples Rashi supplies on this verse
>the examples Rashi supplies on 2-15-2
>some examples I knew myself
{LIST6} {Of 4 letter radicals and their meaning. The present
list regards 4 letter radicals as composed of two
two-letter radicals. An alternate approach is presented
by Rav Hirsch who regarded 4 letter roots as coming
from 3 letter radicals.*1}
4 LETTER ROOT MEANING 1st 2 LETTERS LAST 2 LETTERS
============= ============ ============= =================
MMZR Illegitimate Blemished (From a) Stranger
ARAL Angel Lion (of) God
BLAD Except Without (BLi) Others
BRZL Iron Strong (BRi) Branch (ZLZL)
ZLAF Fright Worthless (and) Fatigued*3
SRAF Branches A Pot (ie nest) (for) Birds*2
CCHLL Drunken*4 Swirling(LL) on palate(CCH)
FOOTNOTES
*1 There are two approaches to 4 letter roots. Sometimes we try and
see them as 2 two letter roots and sometimes we try and see them as
a 3 letter root with an extra letter. Thus ASTR is explained in the
Talmud as ASR. Rav Hirsch stuck to the 3 letter approach even in
obvious cases--thus he takes MMZR from MZR a rare word in Job.
*2 Note the poetic lisence in e.g.
SRAF = BIRD(AF) POT (SiR)= Something for Bird nests
This type of small poetic lisence is common in etymologies and makes
their study difficult
*3 Note the finer nuances in some translations. For example ZLAF
occurs rarely in TNACH and its meaning is inferred from its context.
The RDQ in his book of ROOTS says its meaning is "SOME TYPE OF
FRIGHT"....this could go well with a "Feeling of worthlessness
and fatigue" or perhaps a "better" translation is "depressed=feeling
worthless and tired" So that the verse with ZLAF would mean
depression has overtaken me(A little different than the usual
Fright has overtaken me)
*4 The root only twice in Tnach (1-49-12 and Prv23-29). It is
traditionally translated as
>RED EYED (from drunkedness)
but it can equally be translated as
>DRUNKEN EYED
The latter translation would be consistent with this list of 4
letter radicals.
SOURCE FOR LIST6: You cannot solve this with a CD ROM. However
this list was taken from the RDK, book of roots who is kind
enough to list 4 letter roots separately. By browsing thru
them it is easy to make a list illustrating the principle.
CROSS REFERENCES:
=================
v1n3 v1-41-45 Rashis approach to 4 letter roots
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
=================
PSHAT and DRASH, TRADITION, WINTER 1980 (contains the
technique of paradigmatic examples)
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
===============================================================
SYMBOLISM
DOUBLE PARSHAS | ALIGNMENT
SYMBOLISM
DOUBLE PARSHAS
GRAMMAR
UNIFIED MEANING
WORD MEANINGS
SYMBOLISM
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
COMMUNICATIONS
--------------
Send via email SUBMISSIONS/responses/contributions to
rashi-is-simple@shamash.org
If you want your communication published anonomously (without
mentioning your name) simply say so (and your wishes will be
respected). All other submissions (whether thru Shamash or ANY
of my email addresses are made with the understanding that
they can be published as is or with editing)
NOTATIONAL CONVENTIONS
----------------------
e.g. v5b2-1 means as follows:
The "v" means verse
The "5" means Deuteronomy--the 5th book
The "2" means The 2nd chapter
The "1" means The 1st verse
The "b" means The second rashi on that
verse ("we rounded mount
Seir)
Similarly v5-2-1 would mean Dt 2:1 and probably refer to all
Rashis. (These conventions start with issue 14---beforehand
the notation is similar and will be updated retroactively
in the future)
Asterisks (*,#) in a list usually refer to footnotes that follow it
Parenthesis with the word List and a number--[LIST3] refers to
LISTS in the LIST section of each posting.
THE WEB SITE
------------
To review all past issues as well as to see all principles go to the
web site HTTP://WWW.Shamash.Org/Rashi/Index.Htm. You can download all
past issues from this website.
THE ARCHIVES
------------
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OUR GOALS
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RASHI-IS-SIMPLE
* will provide logical explanations to all 8,000 Rashis on Chumash.
* the preferred vehicle of explanation is thru list of verses and exceptions
* These postings will be archived in Shamash in Quartuplet
-- By Volume and Number
-- By Verse
-- By Grammatical Rule
-- By quicky explanation
* Rashi-Is-Simple should prove useful to
layman, scholars, rabbis, educators, and students
* Although this list is orthodox we welcome all logical
--explanations
--contributions
--modifications
--questions
--problems
provided they are defended with adequate examples.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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For further information on the character of this list
* read your welcome note from Shamash
* read PESHAT and DERASH: TRADITION, Winter 1980 by Russell Hendel
End of Rashi-Is-Simple Digest
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*