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(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 2000
Volume 5 Number 15
Produced Mar, 10 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------
v2y40-35
Words are named by FORM (eg Pentagon), FUNCTION (eg
United nations), SUBSTANCE (eg the PLASTER), CAUSE
(Sunset), EMOTIONAL IMPACT (eg HARDship).The BIRTHSTOOL
is named AVNAYIM because it is MADE of STONE, ShVR,
because of the PAIN, ShVR =baby breaks thru
v2c13-18
CHMASH=20% or ARMED. The reason we translate '20% of the
JEWS LEFT EGYPT' vs 'THE JEWS LEFT EGYPT ARMED' is
because the PREVIOUS VERSE **Explicitly says** that the
Jews were afraid of war! Hence God wouldn't have exposed
them to weapon requirements
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
RASHI IS SIMPLE
GOALS: To grammatically defend all 8000 Rashis on Chumash.
METHOD:Every Rashi will be defended with a LIST of comparable cases
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Laymen, Academicians, Rabbis, Yeshiva students
COMMENTS,QUESTIONS: EMail to address below; (minor edits may occur)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Always given unless 'anonymous' is explicitly asked
(UN)SUBSCRIBE: Email to above with keyword "(UN)subscribe"
JOURNAL REFERECE: Pshat & Drash, TRADITION, Win 1980, R Hendel
NOTATION: eg v2b1-8 refers to Ex(Book 2) Chap 1 Verse 8 Rashi b(#2)
SPECIALS:...on Rambam,Ramban,Symbolism,Pedagogy,Daily Questions
RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RULES...Complete set with examples ON BOTTOM
EMAIL: RJHendel@Juno.Com,rashi-is-simple@shamash.org,
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VERSE: v2y40-35
======
v2b1-16 Look on the (OBSTETRIC-)-BIRTH-TABLE
v5-3-9 The Zidonim nation call CHRMON, SIRYON
v5b40-22 On the THIGH of the Temple, in the North
RASHI TEXT:
===========
v2b1-16 'Look on the (OBSTETRIC-)-BIRTH-TABLE'
The obstetric birth table is on the one hand called
>the STONES
while on the other hand it is call(cf Is66-9,Is37-3,Hos13-13
>the BREAKTHRU
[Moderator: The 3 verse citations above come from
RDK book of roots.RDK suggests that the BIRTH TABLE is
named from the root
>SVR
because this root also means
>pain
and therefore it refers to the
>birthpangs
By contrast I would suggest that the BIRTH TABLE is named
by the root
>SVR
because this root also means
>BREAK THRU
As in the breakthrus of a business deal or
dream(1-41-57,Jud7-15)Rashi does not take sides]
Rashi explains that the BIRTH TABLE can EQUALLY be called by
>What it is made of (STONES)
>Its emotional impact (birth pangs)
>Its functional goal (The BREAK THRU)
Rashi cites Jer18-3 as where they call the craftsman's table
>The STONES
proving that something can be name just by what it is made
of
v5-3-9 The ZIDONIM nation call CHRMON, SIRYON
By reviewing 5-3-9 and 5-4-48 we see that this
city was called 4 names
>kRmvn
>SRyn
>SnyR
>Syan
The Bible explicitly lists the nations that called each name
>BASHAN called it CHRMON
>TzIDONIM called it SRYON
>EMORY called it SNIR
If we constructed a list of cities from the Bible it is rare
style to BOTH give many names and ascribe authorship of
these names to various countries.
Rashi therefore suggests that the multiple names and
authorships is to show the greatness of the conquests---
even though this city was desired by many nations
nevertheless God helped us to conquer it.
v5b40-22 'On the THIGH of the Temple, in the North'
The word
>THIGH
denotes
>The SIDE.
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
=========================================
This is part III in the series of Rashis dealing with the principle
>Two verses that say the similar things in
>a complementary mannar
In Volume 5 Numbers 12,13 in postings v2-40-35 and v2z40-35
we have presented 3 principles with many examples. Thus
PRINCIPLE 1
-----------
2 similar verses can describe
>2 aspects of the same entity were described in 2 verses
EXAMPLE 1
---------
The simplest example is 4-21-21 vs 5-2-26 which describes
>ISRAEL as sending agents to Edom
>MOSES as sending agents to Edom
Clearly MOSES is simply the REPRESENTATIVE of Israel. In other
words ISRAEL has two aspects or two components
>the nation itself
>the designated representative
and it is these 2 aspects which are mentioned in the verses.
PRINCIPLE 2
-----------
2 Similar verses can describes
>two STAGES of some process
EXAMPLE 2
---------
For example the LEVITES came to LEARN Temple service at
25 but did not start working till 30.(4-8-24,4-4-3)
PRINCIPLE 3
-----------
Two similar verses can
>change a words meaning from restrictive
>to broad
EXAMPLE 3
---------
For example in 5-15-17 vs 3-25-10--the statement that slaves go
out in the Jubilee implies that the Biblical verse
>the slave shall work FOREVER
must be interpreted restrictively
>WORK FOREVER = a Long time = One jubilee
PRINCIPLE 4
-----------
We have left two further principles. In todays posting we show
how
>2 verses can CALL the same item by DIFFERENT names
Rashi gives examples from v2b1-16 and v5-3-9 which show how
>CHERMON, a city conquered by the Jews
and
>The Hebrew word for BIRTH STOOL
can have multiple meanings.
In reviewing these Rashis we have a short but succinct description
of the 5 basic ways words are named
>BY FORM: eg the PENTAGON has the SHAPE of a pentagon
>BY FUNCTION: eg the UNs purpose is to UNITE NATIONS
>BY SUBSTANCE: eg the LINOLEUM is a floor MADE OF linoleum
>BY CAUSE/DESCRIPTION:eg the SUNSET occurs when the SUN SETS
>BY EMOTIONAL IMPACT: the HARDSHIP is HARD to bear
------------------------------------------------------
|QUESTION 1: |
|=========== |
|Can you make a list of words illustrating the above |
|principles of naming? The words can come from |
|English or Hebrew. What tools would you use? Neither|
|CD Roms,Konkordances or dictionaries would help you |
|You have to use your mind. See {LIST1| below for a |
|a partial answer. |
------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
=========================
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
===========================================================
{LIST1} {Words, their meaning and how the word is named. For
example both the pentagon and UN deal with war related
matters--but the pentagon is named by its SHAPE/FORM
while the United Nations is named by its FUNCTION.
Similarly both HEARING AIDS and GLASSES help you
perceive. But GlASSES are named by what they are made
of (glass) while HEARING AIDS are named by their function
This list can only be compiled using human thought.
CD ROms and konkordances would not help}
WORD MEANING HOW IS WORD NAMED
========== ==================== ============================
Pentagon War Building By its shape/form
Thigh side FORM: Same position as thigh
Head Top FORM: Same position as head
Well eye FORM: Looks like an eye
Linoleum Floor SUBSTANCE
Iron Irons clothes SUBSTANCE
Plaster Binds materials SUBSTANCE
glasses helps you see SUBSTANCE
Hearing aid helps you hear FUNCTION
Television Tells vision FUNCTION
Can Opener Opens cans FUNCTION
typewriter writes in type FUNCTION
Binder Holds files together FUNCTION
CROSS REFERENCES:
=================
v2-40-35 This posting is part of a multi-part series
begun in v2-40-35 in volume 5 number 12
v2z40-35 Volume 5 Number 13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
=================
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
===============================================================
WORD MEANINGS
WORD MEANINGS
WORD MEANINGS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v2c13-18
======
v2c13-18 ..the Jews went up from Egypt CHAMUSHIM
[Moderator: Rashi's goal is to translate this Hebrew
term
>Chamushim]
v2d13-17 ..lest the Jews regret leaving Egypt when
they see war
RASHI TEXT:
===========
v2c13-18 'The Jews went up from Egypt CHAMUSHIM'
There are 2 possible explanations of CHAMUSHIM
Explanation a
-------------
'The Jews went from Egypt ARMED'
That is we translate
>CHAMUSHIM = ARMED
Precedents for this translation
>CHAMUSHIM = ARMED
occur in Jos1-14, Jos4-12, Jud7-11
Explanation b
-------------
'Only a FIFTH of the Jews left Egypt'
That is we translate
>CHAMUSHIM = FIFTH
Of course it is well known that
>CHAMESH = FIVE
According to this explanation 4/5 th of the Jews died in
Egypt (those who were not worthy) and only a fifth went up
[Moderator: There are many other items in Rashi but in terms
of meaning these are the main ones. Also note---in accordance
with the principles that we are following---that we will
defend Rashi's 2nd explanation (Exlanation b). We will
show why Rashi rejected explanation a]
v2d13-17 'Lest the nation be afraid when they see war'
Indeed we learn this from 4-14-4
>And the Jews said let us make leaders and
>return to Egypt
(Because the spies had said 4-13-33
>..and the inhabitants of the land were giants
>who made us look like grasshoppers)
(Indeed if the Jews were SO AFRAID AFTER seeing all the
miracles (because God took them out in a round about manner)
how much more so would they have been afraid if they
saw the WARRIOR-GIANTS FIRST when they left)
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
=========================================
The verse says
>And the Jews went up from Egypt, CHAMUSHIM
The problem is
>How do we interpret CHAMUSHIM
Statistically,
>CHAMESH = 5,
occurs about 500 times in Tnach.
However there are 10-12 other occurences where it does not mean 5.
It is these 10-12 other occurences that must be analyzed
(In passing we note the amusing fact that in English the English
word
>FIFTH
has 3 meanings
>a glass of liquor
>a musical interval
>a proportion)
-------------------------------------------------
| QUESTION 1: |
| =========== |
| How would you find the 10 times where the |
| root ChMSh occurs in Tnach but does not |
| directly mean 5. What tools would you use? |
| After finding these 10 occurences what meaning|
| would they have? {LIST1} below has answers |
-------------------------------------------------
These 10-12 verses suggest 3 possible other meanings of CHAMESH--
>CHAMESH=A FIFTH(20%)--(3-5-16)..and he shall pay
> an additional fifth (of the robbery)(as a fine)
>CHAMESH=the FIFTH rib(2Sam4-6)..and he stabbed him at
the place of the FIFTH rib (by the liver)
>CHAMESH = ARMED (Jos1-14)..and you will go ARMED
before your brothers
RADACK, with his usual encyclopedic charm explains that
>CHAMESH=ARMED=girded with weapons hanging from the FIFTH RIB
This would correspond to a type of 'chest revolver' that some
detectives wear. I would suggest that
>CHAMESH=ARMED=divided into 5 flanks
since it is the nature in war to divide the army into several flanks
according to the military motto, DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Thus Jos1-14
would mean
>You will go in 5-flank military formation before your brothers
(See Jud9-34 for a 4-flank military formation--such multi-flank
formations are normal). In summary there are 3 possible other
meanings to
>CHAMESH
namely
>ARMED, FIFTH, FIFTH-RIB
Before explaining Rashi we must first intensify the question against
him. Indeed, if
(a)there are other verses where
>CHAMESH=ARMED
(b) and if the Aramaic translation states
>CHAMESH=ARMED
(c) and if it is consistent with the text to state
>the Jews went out ARMED
then why doesn't Rashi simply adopt this meaning of CHAMESH
Notice how the above 3 criteria---a,b,c--are the criteria currently
used in academic journals
>internal usage of the word in other parts of the language
>external consistency with other languages (like Aramaic)
>textual consistency
So the question remains,
>Why didn't Rashi simply translate CHAMESH=ARMED
We answer this question using the technique of
>OTHER VERSES
We have emphasized many times in this email list that very
difficult Rashis can frequently be made simple by this technique
Indeed it says one verse previously in 2-13-17
>that God did not let the Jews go by way of the
>philistines even though it was a quicker road since
>THE JEWS MIGHT REGRET LEAVING EGYPT WHEN THEY SEE
>A WARRIOR NATION
So it explicitly says that
>the sight of war would scare the Jews
So it is inconceivable that God should ask the Jews to arm!!!
So Rashi-is-Simple and translates 2-13-18
>and 20% of the Jews went up from Egypt, (the other
>80% died in Egypt).
In other words, it is the
>OTHER VERSE
that prompts Rashi to intepret
>CHAMESH = 1/5 th--a proportion
vs
>CHAMESH = Armed
In a similar manner Rashi uses the technique of
>OTHER VERSES
on 2-13-17,
>lest the Jews regret when they see war
In fact 4-13-33 says that the spies reported that
>the inhabitants of Canaan were warriors that made us
>look like grasshoppers
and IMMEDIATELY in says 4-14-4 it says
>and the Jews said, let us chose a leader and return
>to Egypt
As Rashi wryly notes
>If AFTER all the miracles God showed the Jews, they
>nevertheless wanted to return to Egypt because of
>the sight of war, then, how much more so BEFORE
>seeing these miracles that the Jews would become
>afraid from the sight of any war-type items (even
>weapons...for indeed, people who are afraid also
>remain afraid when given weapons since their fear
>is rooted in a fear of possible failure)
Further comments may be found in the COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM
SECTION
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
=========================
We make 3 comments
#1) Where did the Jews get weapons for their wars
-------------------------------------------------
Rashi in discussing the first possible translation of Chamesh
>Chamesh = Armed
points out that IF they went up armed then it would account
for where the Jews obtained weapons for their various wars
(Such as the war against Amalek, 2-17-8:15)
However, based on Is2-4
>they will make their swords into field cutters
>and their spears into tree-scrapers
I would simply say that the Jews could fight wars with agricultural
instruments and house utensils (Indeed that is how the Warsaw
uprising fought).
#2) Why did 80% of the Jews die in Egypt
-----------------------------------------
Donna/Ross Quartermaine originally brought up this fascinating
question that we have been discussing
>Why does Rashi say that 80% of the Jews died in Egypt
Although I have answered this question technically I have not yet
answered this question philosophically.
Needless to say the full philsophical discussion of good and evil is
beyond the scope of this email group. Nevertheless in the spirit
of this email group I would like to offer other examples of
>God redeeming us after a significant percentage die
---------------------------------------------------------
|QUESTION 2: |
|=========== |
|Can you help answer Donna's question? Can you find |
|other examples of redemption where a large percentage |
|of Jews died and only a small percentage were |
|redeemed? How would you find such a list? What tools |
|would you use? A partial list is presented below in |
|{LIST2}. A word of caution: Such a list only |
|establishes a pattern--it does not explain anything. |
|Nevertheless it offers us insight into the nature of |
|God's redemption. |
---------------------------------------------------------
#3) Rashi vs the Academic World
-------------------------------
As pointed above many academic scholars would say that the
simple meaning of the verse is that CHAMESH-ARMED. Indeed, they
would claim that criteria for academic scholarship requires
>usage of the same term elsewhere in the language
>nearby eastern language translations (Aramaic)
>Possible textual meaning
Rashi however based himself on
>textual consistency--'The Jews were afraid of war'
Thus the ultimate question is
>Does textual consistency take precedence over
>identical uses of the term and other languages
It seems that Rashi has a strong case---at any rate academic
scholarship has never answered Rashi. This is an important
point in assessing Rashi's simplicity.
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
===========================================================
{LIST1} {The 10-12 verses where the Hebrew root
>CHAMESH
does not mean 5. To obtain this list you must not
only use a CD ROM or a Konkordance; you must also
look up on EACH verse how the commentators explain
the verses. A further useful source is the RADACK's
book, ROOTS. This marvelous book is more than a
dictionary---it contains many verse references,
lists all meanings of Biblical words, ocassionally
gives etymologies, and frequently cites alternative
meanings. As can be seen these verses show 3
alternative meanings of CHAMESH
>CHAMESH = 5th, 50, 5 parts
>CHAMESH = 5th Rib (Place of liver)
>CHAMESH = ARMED }
VERSE MEANING TEXT
===== ======= ==============================
1-41-34 Divide into 5ths Divide Egypt into 5ths
1-47-26 20% Pay 20% tax
3-5-16 20% Pay 20% fine
2K1-9 50 You and your '50'
2-13-18 a 5th *1 Only a 5th of Jews went
Jos1-14 Armed *2 You will go armed
Jos4-12 Armed And they went armed
Jud7-11 Armed *3 Went to the armed men
2S2-23 5th Rib(by liver Avner stabbed him by liver
2S3-27 5th Rib and he stabbed him by liver
2S4-6 5th Rib and he stabbed him by the liver
2S20-10 5th Rib and he stabbed him by the liver
FOOTNOTES
---------
*1 Some commentators interpret this as ARMED. As we
showed, the problem with such an interpretation
is SEMANTIC--the very previous verse says that
the Jews couldn't be exposed to War because
they were scared...how then could they have
gone out armed?
*2 According to Radack,
>CHAMESH = ARMED = Girded with weapons around 5th rib
I suggested
>CHAMESH = ARMED = a 5-flank column formation
(cf Jud9-34 for a 4-flank formation )
*3 We should mention 1K6-31 which could mean
>The 5-boarded door
Or
>armed (arms on door)
NOTE: This verse is not brought by MENDELKORN in the
'obscure meaning section' of his konkordance but is
brought by RADACK.
{LIST2} {Redemptions by God where many people died. This list
cannot be produced by CD-ROMS. Instead one must use
ones knowledge of the Bible and Biblical prophecies}
Incident Percentage Dying Verses
================ ================= ==========
Exodus 80% 2-13-17:18
Enter Israel 50% *1 4-14-26:45
1st Exile 90% Isa6-13
Coming of Mesiah 67% Zac13-8
FOOTNOTES
----------
*1 Only the men died (cf the explicit 5-2-16)
CROSS REFERENCES:
=================
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
=================
To Donna Quartermaine for asking the question.
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
===============================================================
OTHER VERSES
OTHER VERSES
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
=======================================
I: RASHI gives MEANING
======================
A: WORD MEANINGS--(eg)"on the face of"=during the lifetime
(v2n6,v4-3-4), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-3-4.htm
B: SPECIAL WORDS--(eg)ACH=USUALLY;USUALLY observe shabbath!
(v2n6, v4-1-49),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-1-49.htm
C: SYNONYMS--(eg)YShV=RESIDE; GARTI='INNED'--temporary say
(v1n1, v1-32-5), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1-32-5.htm
D: UNIFIED MEANING--(eg)Tz Ch K = (a) laugh, OR (b) mock
(v4n4, v1-21-9), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1-21-9.htm
E: NEW MEANINGS--(eg)HEAD-MOUTH of garment = HEM of Garment
(v5n10,v2a28-32),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2a28-32.htm
II: RASHI teaches GRAMMAR/STYLE
===============================
F: CLASSICAL GRAMMAR--(eg)HEY+CHATAF PATACH=QUESTION
(v2n24,v1b3-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1b3-11.htm
G: USAGE(NEW GRAMMAR)--(eg)INFINITIVE=GERUND;WATCHING laws;
(v2n10,v4-32-6),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-32-6.htm
H: ROOT+PREPOSITION--(eg) BCH AL=cries about,BCH ETH=mourn
(v1n14,v1a45-14),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a45-14.htm
I: SEMANTIC RULES--(eg) WAGES="ENDoF"="END oF Work Day';
(v1n10,v1b1-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1b1-1.htm
J: STYLE--(eg)REPETITION denotes Endearment;'Abraham,Abraham
(v1n6,v2-1-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-1-1.htm
K: DOUBLE NOUNS--(eg)HIT HIT by sword ('even without sword')
(v2n20,v2a22-25),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2a22-25.htm
L: PRONOUNS--(eg) sanctify OTHO = sanctify ONLY IT;
(v2n10,v4a7-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4a7-1.htm
III: OVERALL TEXTUAL STRUCTURE
==============================
M: OTHER VERSES--(eg)STONE(3-25-13)=BALANCE STONES(3-19-36)
(v3n9,v5b25-13),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5b25-13.htm
N: EXTRA SENTENCES--(eg)he'll dress his measurement=TAYLORED
(v1n20,v3a6-3),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v3a6-3.htm
O: DOUBLE PARSHAS-'he WILL pray'-'he WON'T pray';So Optional
(v3n12,v5a24-14),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5a24-14.htm
P: CLIMAX-(eg 5-19-11)(a)Hate, (b)spy, (c)confront,(d)Murder
(v3n9,v5-19-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5-19-11.htm
Q: OVERALL STRUCTURE-growing nails=despisement(from context)
(v3n8,v5-21-12),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5-21-12.htm
IV: IMPLICATIONS & DERIVATIONS
==============================
R: STAGES-learn HUMAN marital frequency from ANIMAL ratios
(v1n14,v1a32-15),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a32-15.htm
S: MORAL LESSONS/REASONS-God spoke before punishment;we too
(v2n12,v4-12-9),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-12-9.htm
T: RabbiIshmael-(eg)When an OX gores; OR ANY animal gores;
(v2n19,v2-22-17),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-22-17.htm
V: OVERALL
=================
U: SYMBOLISM-'WASHING his clothes in wine'=PLENTY of wine;
(v4n18,v1a49-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a49-11.htm
V: PICTURES--(eg) The TZITZ was like a HELMET over a turban
(v5n12,v2-40-35),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-40-35.htm
W: TABLES/SPREADSHEETS---To appear
End of Rashi-Is-Simple Digest
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*