Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ Surfing the Talmudic Seas (C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 2000 Volume 7 Number 15 Produced Sept 15, 2000 WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10) Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations v9-9-15a My paper "GENESIS 1 SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE WORLD" is now on the website. Visit http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ This paper was presented at the 3rd international conference on Science & Religion and should appear in BOR HATORAH. v9-9-15b ARUTZ SHEVA the Israeli Radio station is developing a wonderful website with links to many major Jewish sites. Visit http://www.JewishUniverse.Net/ Click on TORAH--LEARNING ON THE NET CLIMAX3 GRAND SUMMARY OF OVER 100 RASHIS DEALING WITH RABBI ISHMAEL RULES Our Goal in the next 3 digests is to give a final summary to the rules governing Rabbi Ishmael's rules of style that govern Biblical examples. First we give some background. Rashis covered in this issue ---------------------------- VERSE RULE BRIEF EXPLANATION ======== ============== ================= EXAMPLE7 RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-01c RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-01b RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-01d RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-01e RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-02a RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt18-02b RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt14-26a RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt14-26b RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt14-26c RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt15-21a RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt15-21b RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt15-21c RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt15-14b RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION Dt21-04a RabbiIshmael What style requires SOME GENERALIZATION EXAMPLE8 RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify REINTERPRETATION Dt11-25a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify REINTERPRETATION Dt20-03c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt20-03d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt20-03e RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt20-03f RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt20-03g RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt27-26a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt33-29a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex18-21b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex18-21c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex18-21d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex22-09a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex22-12c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex22-13a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Lv18-07a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Lv18-07b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Lv18-08a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt01-22a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt32-02a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt32-02c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt07-05a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt07-05b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt07-05c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt07-05d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt12-03a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt12-03b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt12-03c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt13-09a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt13-09b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt13-09c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt13-09d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Dt13-09e RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-01a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-01b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-02a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-02b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-02d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-02e RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Ex23-02f RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn36-39a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn09-05b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn09-05c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn09-05d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn09-05e RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Gn09-06a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu18-19b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu18-19c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu18-19d RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu17-23a RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu17-23b RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation Nu17-23c RabbiIshmael CONTEXT can justify reinterpretation EXAMPLE9 RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt19-11a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt22-14a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt21-14a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt21-22a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-14a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-14b RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-15a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-16b RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-16c RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-16d RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Lv26-16e RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt11-25a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt32-15a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt32-15b RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt32-15d RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-19a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-19b RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-19c RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-19d RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-19e RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt16-20a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt06-13a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt13-05a RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt13-05b RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt13-05c RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX Dt13-05d RabbiIshmael Verses ShowTEMPORAL SEQUENCE To A CLIMAX ----------------------------------------------------------------- #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* RASHI IS SIMPLE GOALS: To grammatically defend all 8000 Rashis on Chumash. METHOD:Rashis are defended with LISTS of comparable cases INTENDED AUDIENCE: Laymen, Academicians, Yeshiva world COMMENTS,QUESTIONS: EMail to address below ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:If you want to ask anonymously please ask (UN)SUBSCRIBE: Email to addresses below with "(UN)subscribe" JOURNAL REFERECE: Pshat & Drash,TRADITION, Win 1980,R Hendel NOTATION: eg Gn01-02a refers to Rashi "a" on Genesis 1:2 SPECIALS:...on Parshah,Rambam,Ramban,Pedagogy,Symbolism RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RULES Complete set of rules on bottom EMAIL: RJHendel@Juno.Com, rashi-is-simple@shamash.org, WEB: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: EXAMPLE7 RASHIS COVERED: Dt18-01c Dt18-01b Dt18-01d Dt18-01e Dt18-02a Dt18-02b Dt14-26a Dt14-26b Dt14-26c Dt15-21a Dt15-21c Dt15-14b Dt21-04 We continue the GRAND SUMMARY of Rabbi Ishmaels rules of examples Here is a repeat of the SUCCINCT SUMMARY for method 3. --GRAND SUMMARY-- --METHOD 3a-- -CONTEXT can require PARTIAL GENERALIZATION of EXAMPLES --HERE IS AN EXAMPLE FROM THE SUCCINCT SUMMARY-- 3) If the Torah uses one of the following 3 styles EXAMPLES followed by GENERAL GENERAL-EXAMPLES-GENERAL A UNIFYING CONTEXT Then we SOMEWHAT GENERALIZE the examples to similar items 3a) Ex25-31 Make a CANDELLABRAH-------------------------GENERAL It should be GOLD & SCULPTORED(not soldered)(DETAIL Let the CANDELLABRAH BE MADE----------------GENERAL TALMUD:(Mnacoth 28b)The Candellabrah can be made of ANY METAL (not just GOLD). In other words the EXAMPLE part of the verse ("GOLD") is GENERALIZED to allow any metal. 3b) Dt20-03 in a war do not be SOFT-HEARTED do not be AFRAID do not be ANXIOUS do not be STUNNEd RASHI: The verse outlines the 4 components of fear of enemy Do not be afraid of enemy TRANSPORTATION(horses) Do not be afraid of enemy RESOURCES (shields) Do not be afraid of enemy COMMUNICATION(horns) Do not be afraid of enemy MORAL (battle crys) How does Rashi know to translate "DO NOT BE SOFT-HEARTED" as refering to FEAR OF HORSES? The answer is he had no reason based on the words. Rather the CONTEXT clearly speaks about NOT HAVING FEAR IN WAR. Therefore Rashi identified the 4 fears in the verse with the varying fears possible in war. In method 2b we infer from the UNIFYING CONTEXT. It is the CONTEXT, not grammar or dictionary, that justifies the reinterpretation of words. In other words the Biblical phrase SOFT HEARTED does not specifically refer to HORSES but Rashi interprets it this way because of the CONTEXT. Very often when using this method Rashi appears 'forced' or 'not clear'. To help clarify Rashi we should at least remember that he is using the principle of CONTEXT. 3c) Dt19-11 If you HATE a person and you STALK him and you ARISE on him and then LETHALLY HIT him RASHI: The Bible outlines 4 stages that lead to murder. 1st you HATE the person, then you SPY on him... Then you CONFRONT him and finally this leads to murder In method 3c we infer meaning from CONTEXT The EXAMPLES usually describe a TEMPORAL sequence leading to a CLIMAX. --GRAND SUMMARY-- --METHOD 3a-- --The EXAMPLE-GENERAL style requires GENERALIZATION-- --HERE IS THE DESCRIPTION FROM THE SUCCINCT SUMMARY-- 3a) Ex25-31 Make a CANDELLABRAH-------------------------GENERAL It should be GOLD & SCULPTORED(not soldered)(DETAIL Let the CANDELLABRAH BE MADE----------------GENERAL Talmud:(Mnacoth 28b)The Candellabrah can be made of ANY METAL (not just GOLD) ---WE CONTINUE WITH THE EXAMPLES--- (32) Ex25-31 Mnacoth 28b (In Talmud Not Rashi) Ex25-31 Make a Candellabrah-------------GENERAL it should be GOLD---------------DETAIL it should be sculptored(not soldered) The Candellabrah should be made-GENERAL TALMUD: This has a GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form. Hence we GENERALIZE the DETAIL. The Menorah can be made of ANY METAL But we prohibit construction from wood &/or clay (33) Lv05-04 Shavuoth 26a (In Talmud not Rashi) Lv05-04 If a person swears with his lips--GENERAL to do good or evil ---------------DETAIL Any type of Oath------------------GENERAL TALMUD: Thus these laws apply to ANYthing that is sworn for the future, whether it be good or harmful (34) Lv02-13 Mnacoth 20a (In Talmud but not in Rashi) Lv02-13 You shall salt all SACRIFICES--------GENERAL Don't leave unsalted any MINCHAH OFFERING-----------------DETAIL place salt on ALL YOUR SACRIFICES----GENERAL TALMUD: Thus the salting law applies to ANYthing that is like a MINCHAH offering. As long as it is something that goes on the fire it must be salted. Hence we extend the salting requirement even to "wood" that is donated to the temple (Since it goes on the altar fire It too must be salted) (35) Lv05-21 Baba Kama 117b (In Talmud Not Rashi) Lv05-21 If a person DENIES TO HIS FRIEND-----GENERAL (denies) a DEPOSIT-------------------DETAILS LOAN that he STOLE from him witheld WAGES didn't return a LOSS article or ANYTHING which he denies---------GENERAL TALMUD: So the law applies to anything that is like the 5 items enumerated---that is, to any TANGIBLE OBJECT MOVABLE OBJECT THAT HAS INTRINSIC VALUE If a person denied owing this under oath the laws of this chapter apply. (This chapter does not eg apply to real estate, bonds or beauty which don't resemble the above 5 items.) (36) Dt18-01c (37) Dt18-01b (38) Dt18-01d (39) Dt18-01e (40) Dt18-02a (41) Dt18-02b The verses state ---GENERAL: Priests/Levites should have no inheritance ---DETAILS: Instead Priests eat from fires of God ---GENERAL: Priests should have no inheritance Since this has a GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form therefore we interpret the DETAILS broadly. Cross referencing Nu18 we see that Priests and Levites can eat --* From the fires (sacrifices) of God --* This includes items not placed on the fire (like skins from animal offerings or parts of animals eaten by the priests) --* From the Tithes Cross referencing Nu18-24 we would conclude that the Priests Levites have no share in any land whether --* The land of Israel proper --* Land conquered in a religious (eg defensive) war --* Land like transjordan which was given to the Gadites*1 NOTES ----- *1 Notice how the above derivation comes TOTALLY FROM Style---this is in contrast to the "problem" or "what is bothering Rashi" approach---such an approach would count the "number of extra times it says that the priests will not inherit and assign an extra nuance for each extra time"--this approach is not necessary (42) Dt14-26a (43) Dt14-26b (44) Dt14-26c BACKGROUND: The Bible discusses what foods you can buy with tithe money in Jerusalem. The Bible says Dt14-26 And you will take the money and use it to buy (GENERAL) ALL THAT YOUR SOUL WANTS (PARTICULAR) Cattle(Steaks) Sheep(Lambchops) Wine Beer (GENERAL) ALL THAT YOUR SOUL ASKS FOR RASHI:The 4 items---CATTLE, SHEEP, BEER, WINE have the following 3 attributes in common. They--cattle sheep wine bear--are * EDIBLES (but not Real Estate) * DERIVED FROM THE GROUND(but not fish) * The are ORGANIC--eg SPICES,TEA (But not salt, water) Thus you may buy ANY item that resembles the 4 items mentioned in the verse such as Cattle, Sheep, Wine, Beer, spices, tea, but you may not buy fish, water. (45) Dt15-21a (46) Dt15-21b (47) Dt15-21c BACKGROUND: The Bible discusses which blemishes invalidate 1stborn animals from being offered to God. The Bible says Dt15-21 (GENERAL) If it has a blemish (PARTICULAR) LAME or BLIND (GENERAL) and bad blemish RASHI: The defects LAME and BLIND have the following in common: They are * PERMANANT BLEMISHES (but not eg a skin cut) * VISIBLE BLEMISHES (but not eg deafness) * INTEFERING WITH ANIMAL WORK So I can't offer lame animals but I can offer animals with cuts, or animals with permanant visible scars that do not intefer with work (The Talmud debates which of these attributes to include). (48) Dt15-14b Give the slave (when he leaves) from your CATTLE-----------------DETAILS GRAIN WINEVATS THAT which God gave you--------GENERAL RASHI: Since this has a DETAIL-GENERAL form we GENERALIZE the EXAMPLES---Cattle, Grain, WINEVATS to ANY ITEM capable of REPRODUCTION(like cattle, grain and grapes) but we exclude MULES (Which can't reproduce).So I can't give slaves, MULES but I can give them livestock and grains. (49) Dt21-04a (Sotah 46b) BACKGROUND: When a murder victim is found in the open the great Sanhedrin was required to go thru the YOUNG OX ritual to atone for this travesty of justice. Among the ritual requirements were that the YOUNG OX be brought down to a river that had never been worked--the Bible says Dt21-04 And they will bring the Ox down to a NATURAL RIVER-------------------GENERAL*1 that has NEVER BEEN WORKED-----------GENERAL (land) that has not been sown--------DETAIL RASHI/TALMUD: This has a GENERAL-GENERAL-DETAIL form which is interpreted like a GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form. In other words ----a NATURAL RIVER---this is a GENERAL statement ----has never been worked--this also is GENERAL ----it has never been sown--this is DETAILED. We generalize this to all similar cases. The law is that if the river has had work done IN ITS LAND (like sowing, ploughing, etc) then it cannot be used. But if non-land work has been done there (like threshing, combing wool etc) then it still can be used. NOTES: ----- *1 This is a peach of a Rashi. Because the Talmud that claims that this is a GENERAL-GENERAL-DETAIL form remains enigmatic UNTIL we read Rashi in Chumash and see that Rashi interprets the Hebrew word AYTHAN which means "NATURAL" as meaning "IN ITS NATURAL STATE SO IT CAN'T BE WORKED'. By doing this RASHI identifies 2 general clauses in the verse, each of which generally says "It hasn't been worked" (THe word AYTHAN hardly ever occurs in the Bible; it has a connotation of NATURAL, PRISTINE, HARDY). #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: EXAMPLE8 RASHIS COVERED: Dt11-25a Dt20-03c Dt20-03d Dt20-03e Dt20-03f Dt20-03g Dt27-26a Dt33-29a Ex18-21b Ex18-21c Ex18-21d Ex22-09a Ex22-12c Ex22-13a Lv18-07a Lv18-07b Lv18-08a Dt01-22a Dt32-02a Dt32-02c Dt07-05a Dt07-05b Dt07-05c Dt07-05d Dt12-03a Dt12-03b Dt12-03c Dt13-09a Dt13-09b Dt13-09c Dt13-09d Dt13-09e Ex23-01a Ex23-01b Ex23-02a Ex23-02b Ex23-02d Ex23-02e Ex23-02f Gn36-39a Gn09-05b Gn09-05c Gn09-05d Gn09-05e Gn09-06a Nu18-19b Nu18-19c Nu18-19d Nu17-23a Nu17-23b Nu17-23c --GRAND SUMMARY-- --METHOD 3b-- --CONTEXT justifies RADICAL REINTERPRETATION-- --HERE IS A DESCRIPTION FROM THE SUCCINCT SUMMARY-- METHOD 3b: ---------- Dt20-03 in a war do not be SOFT-HEARTED do not be AFRAID do not be ANXIOUS do not be STUNNEd RASHI: The verse outlines the 4 components of fear of enemy Do not be afraid of enemy TRANSPORTATION(horses) Do not be afraid of enemy RESOURCES (shields) Do not be afraid of enemy COMMUNICATION(horns) Do not be afraid of enemy MORAL (battle crys) Notice how Rashi interprets eg SOFT-HEARTED as referring to fear of HORSES and enemy TRANSPORTATION. But the phrase SOFT HEARTED doesn't only refer to HORSES & TRANSPORTATION In method 2b we infer from the UNIFYING CONTEXT. It is the CONTEXT, not grammar or dictionary, that justifys the reinterpretation of words. Very often Rashi appears 'forced' or 'not clear'. To help clarify Rashi we should at least remember that he is using the principle of CONTEXT. --WE NOW CONTINUE WITH THE EXAMPLES-- ---------------------------------------------------- In the following 3 sets of verses, Rashi interpreted the verses as describing all cases according to some set of PARAMETERS or ISSUES or QUESTIONS ---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (50) Lv18-07a The nakedness of your father dont uncover (51) Lv18-07b She is your mother (52) Lv18-08a The nakedness of your fathers wife dont uncover These 3 phrases correspond to 3 types of sins with your fathers wife. The 3 sins could involve both INCEST and ADULTERY or just INCEST or NEITHER of them (and still be prohibited.) The above 3 phrases correspond to Lv18-07a INCEST&ADULTERY(Fathers wife during lifetime) Lv18-07b INCEST (mother after fathers death) Lv18-08a (Fathers 2nd wife after his death) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (53) Dt13-09a (54) Dt13-09b (55) Dt13-09c (56) Dt13-09d (57) Dt13-09e BACKGROUND: The Bible is speaking about someone who tries to seduce you to worship idols. The Bible asks for no mercy on these people whether BEFORE, DURING or AFTER both the ACT and TRIAL. ---Don't ACQUIESCE (BEFORE the ACT--dont' DEBATE him) ---Don't LISTEN (DURING the ACT--WARN him it is wrong) ---Don't PITY him (AFTER the ACT---bring him to COURT) ---Don't CARE (DURING TRIAL-argue AGAINST him)*2 ---Don't CONCEAL*1 (AFTER TRIAL-APPEAL mistrials)*2 NOTES ----- *1 Clearly these 5 words have nothing to do with the classification scheme. Thus it is the rule of CONTEXT that dictates meaning not the grammar *2 In ordinary cases you canNOT appeal a mistrial of acquital Similarly there are restrictions on who can offer arguments against the accused But in this case these laws of 'mercy' are suspended. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (58) Ex22-09a (59) Ex22-12c (60) Ex22-13a What types of deposits are there?*1 The Bible interprets these 3 paragraphs using 2 parameters or questions: QUESTION 1: Was it done for HIRE or for FREE QUESTION 2: Did YOU ask HIM or did HE ask YOU Ex22-09a---You can WATCH someone elses property for FREE Ex22-12c---You can WATCH someone elses property for HIRE ---You can LOAN someone elses property for HIRE Ex22-13a---You can LOAN someone elses property for FREE NOTES ----- *1 The Torah *does* identify the FREE LOANER. Ex22-13a says "When you loan from a friend" But the Torah *does not* identify the paragraph with the WATCHER FOR HIRE. It no where says this paragraph is about the watcher for hire. Rather this is an inference based on CONTEXT and the different laws. Thus the intepretation of the paragraph is derived from the principle of CONTEXT and not from the actual words. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- In the following verses the Bible uses a DETAIL-GENERAL style. All we know is that the DETAILS are part of a GENERAL idea. Rashi does NOT reinterpret the details but just points out that the details are GENERALIZED to all ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (61) Dt27-26a The Torah curses those who don't fulfill the Torah using a DETAIL-GENERAL form. --------------------------------- The following verses are DETAILS --------------------------------- Dt27-15 Cursed be the person who worships IDOLS Dt27-16 Cursed be who despiseth his PARENTS Dt27-17 Cursed be who stealeth his neighbors BOUNDARY Dt27-18 Cursed be who stumbles a BLIND person... (DETAIL) .... --------------------------------- The following verses are GENERAL --------------------------------- Dt27-26 Cursed be who doesn't fulfill this Torah (GENERAL) RASHI: This last verse is GENERAL and includes the whole Torah (So the other curses are components that include all aspects of Torah--such as IDOLATRY, RESPECTING PARENTS..) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (62) Dt33-29a Moses gave blessings using a GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form. --------------------------------- The following verses are GENERAL --------------------------------- Dt33-01 This is the blessing that Moses gave ALL JEWS(GENERAL) --------------------------------- The following verses are DETAILS --------------------------------- Dt33-06 To May REUBEN Live----------------------------DETAILS Dt33-07 May JUDAH be part of his nation Dt33-08 May LEVI teach torah Dt33-12 May BINYAMIN be the BELOVED of God Dt33-13 May JOSEPH have a blessed land .... --------------------------------- The following verses are GENERAL --------------------------------- Dt33-29 Happy are you ALL JEWS GENERAL RASHI: (This chapter has a GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form.) After blessing each tribe in detail Moses said "Why should I give a specific Blessing to each of you... I instead mingle blessings to ALL of you" (Thus Rashi used the GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL form.) Apparently the Blessings to each tribe list components of blessings such PHYSICAL (Asher), Good neighborhood (Joseph), Intellectual (Levi) etc. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- In the remaining examples Rashi interprets the 3 or 4 examples as indicating COMPONENTS of some attribute. Very often Rashi will take synonyms and reinterpret them to correspond to these components. These reinterpretations come from the principle of CONTEXT not from the words. Furthermore the interpretation is not forced. These types of verses lend themselves best to multiple legitimate interpretations from several commentaries. ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (63) Dt01-22a The Bible describes 4 types of LEADERSHIP --Leaders --Heads --Elders --Judges ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ (64) Nu17-23a (65) Nu17-23b (66) Nu17-23c The Bible gives 3 stages in development of fruit --BUD --FRUIT --RIPEN*1 NOTES ----- *1 As the Sifsay Chachamim points out several of the words in this verse have multiple meanings. But Rashi uses the principles of CONTEXT to interpret the various words Thus the final determination of the word comes from the principle of CONTEXT. ------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- (67) Nu18-19b (68) Nu18-19c (69) Nu18-19d "A WORLDLY SALTED TREATY" The Bible lists 3 stages in keeping a treaty --Intent of both sides to keep-------------------------TREATY --Intent to keep even if new circumstances arise-------SALTED*1 --Intent to help outsiders(besides the treaty parties)-WORLDLY*2 NOTES ----- *1 SALT is used to denote BOTH destruction and giving TASTE To resolve this apparent contradiciton we see that SALT is a PRESERVATIVE--it preserves destruction (by preventing growth) and preserves taste Hence it is symbolic of PRESERVING the treaty (EVEN If new circumstances arise) *2 eg The Hebrew word LOLAM means both WORLDLY and FOREVER Rashi here selects meanings according to the principles of CONTEXT. It is this principle which determines which meaning will be used. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (70) Dt20-03c (71) Dt20-03d (72) Dt20-03e (73) Dt20-03f (74) Dt20-03g BACKGROUND: Dt20-03 speaks about What you should you not be afraid of in a war Dt20-03 One should not be afraid of enemy TRANSPORT ability One should not be afraid of enemy WEAPONS One should not be afraid of enemy COMMUNICATIONS One should not be afraid of enemy TROOP MORALE*1 NOTES ----- *1 The Rashis on Dt20-03 list 4 components to a war Dt20-03c The 4 words in the verse correspond to 4 fears Dt20-03d "Dont be soft hearted" RASHI: From HORSE TRAMPLING Dt20-03e "Dont be afraid" RASHI: From sheild clapping Dt20-03f "Dont be hurried(?anxious)" RASHI: From horn blasts Dt20-03g "Dont be shattered" RASHI: From Troop cries How does Rashi eg connect the word SOFT HEARTED with horse trampling? The answer is he doesn't (There in fact is no connection)*2 Rather Rashi connects the 4 terms in Dt20-03 with the 4 terms in Dt20-01 as shown in the following table. Because of this we are prone to suggest that Rashi simply used the verse as a vehicle for enumerating the 4 major fears in war. In other words it is CONTEXT not grammar and the dictionary that determines meaning. {LIST1} {The left column contains the 4 words of fear in Dt20-03. The next column contains the Rashis on these words followed by the associated military concept. As can be seen eg HORSES in Rashi (column 2 row 1) does NOT correspond to SOFT HEARTED in the verse (col 1) But HORSES in Rashi **does** correspond to HORSES in Dt20-01} Words in Rashi on Military Words in Dt20-03 Dt20-03 Concept Dt20-01 ------- -------- -------- --------- soft hearted From Horses Transportation Horses Fear From Shields Weapons Chariots Hurried From horns Communications Nation Shattered Troop crys Troop morale More than you *2 RASHI IS NOT BEING PICKY ON WORDS ------------------------------ Our Goal here is to show that Rashi did NOT derive the meanings of the terms from these terms but rather from the context. In this footnote we show that there is no correspondence between the terms in the verse and the terms in Rashi by themselves without context EXAMPLES (Of how Rashi was not being picky on words) ---------------------------------------------------- 2a)SOFT HEARTED denotes any lack of steadfastness or inability to stand and stick to something(eg 2Ch13-07 "Rechavan was young and soft hearted (and couldn't stand up to Yaravam)" So there is no correspondence between SOFT HEARTED and CRY OF HORSES 2b)The Hebrew word CHAFAZ means "HURRIED" as in Ex12-11 "Eat the passover HURRIEDLY" or 2S4-4 "They hurried to leave and ..he fell, laming him" Why then should HORN BLASTS be associated with a feeling of HURRIEDNESS (Anxiety) 2c)The Hebrew word ARATZ seems to mean SHATTERED (physically or emotionally) as in Isa10-33 ("Twigging a tree with a TREE SHATTERER"). Why then should TROOP CRIES be associated with SHATTERED. 2d) There is no CLIMACTIC DEVELOPMENT in this verse eg. Dt01-29 says "Dont be SHATTERED or AFRAID" vs Dt31-06 says "Dont be AFRAID or SHATTERED" So neither of these words (SHATTERED vs AFRAID) is worse than the other. (This corresponds to the principle that MORE important items are ALWAYS listed first while EQUAL items are sometimes listed in either order (see http://www.rashiYomi.com/nu27-01b.htm) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (75) Dt11-25a Using Dt07-22 Rashi lists 4 stages in destroying a nation(in war) ----Destroy the COUNTRY ----Destroy the LEADERS who might be left over & rebuilt ----Eradicate their GOOD NAME (It might inspire rebuilding) ----Don't allow any ESCAPEES (who might rebuild out of revenge) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (76) Ex18-21b (77) Ex18-21c (78) Ex18-21d How do you become a Good Businessman*3 --------------------------------------------- Here are the details. Good business requires --------------------------------------------- ---Business Skills *1 ---Honesty ---Creditors*2 ---They Waive won lawsuits in minor matters NOTES ----- *1 The Hebrew word ChaYiL means SKILLEd not strong. This has been defended on Gn47-06 (eg Proverbs 31:10 means "who will find a SKILLED wife" not 'who will find a POWERFUL or STRONG wife') *2 "People of TRUTH"=People who advance credits in the Business world *3 The actual context is to get good Judges. Jethro suggests that the best judges come from good businessmen. Note Rambam Chapter 2 of Sanhedrin gives a different bent on this verse. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (79) Dt32-02a (80) Dt32-02c The Bible lists components of RAIN The Bible/Rashi compares TEACHING to RAIN ----RAIN------Teaching ----DEW ------Short pithy summaries ----MIST------Light interplay between students reviewing dialogue ----DOWNPOURS-Rich applications ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (81) Dt07-05a (82) Dt07-05b (83) Dt07-05c (84) Dt07-05d (85) Dt12-03a (86) Dt12-03b (87) Dt12-03c These Biblical verses lists 4 components of idolatrous religions ---ALTARS (For sacrifices) ---MONUMENTS(For social gatherings of adherents) ---Idol TREES(For beauty & physical appeal) ---Actual IDOLS (Symbolizing their gods) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (88) Ex23-01a (89) Ex23-01b (90) Ex23-02a (91) Ex23-02b (92) Ex23-02d (93) Ex23-02e (94) Ex23-02f BACKGROUND: The Bible is discussing components of a good Judicial system. --------------------------------- The Bible lists 5 components --------------------------------- --Listen to both LITIGANTS*1 --Have good(not false) WITNESSES --Have good JUDICIAL PROCESS*2 --each Judge JUDGES INDEPENDENTLY*3 --avoid SOCIETY CONSIDERATIONS*4 NOTES ----- *1 Most of these correspondences are explicit. However for the first correspondence the Bible says 'Don't bear a worthless listening' which is INTERPRETED to mean 'Dont hear 1 side without the other'. As we have continuously emphasized, the guiding principle of interpretation in these verses is the principle of CONTEXT not the grammar or words. This is a legitimate literary approach. *2 Convictions required a majority of 2 in capital cases Acquitals only required a majority of 1 *3 Younger judges should not 'vote along party lines' but rather should defend the case as they see it *4 eg Do not say "The litigant is poor..if we take money from him we will have to give him charity Anyway...so let me acquit him)" ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (95) Gn36-39a BACKGROUND: The Bible is simply listing names. However there was a strong movement(because of the multiple names each person had) to interpret these names as describing world situations. With names like GOLD & SPLENDOR Rashi felt it legitimate to interpret these as descriptions of the society which apparently was RICH and SPLENDID. Rashi shows the components of a RICH SOCIETY The actual verse reads (translating the names) "and his name was LUXURY from the city DESIRE whose wife was HOW-GOOD-GOD-IS daughter of GOLD." Thus The LUXURIOUS SOCIETY MUST HAVE ---LUXURY (not just bare necessities) ---DESIRE (From the root PAH) ---SATISFACTION (MHAYTAVAYL=How (MH) Good (TV) is God(AYL)) ---GOLD (MONEY) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND: The Bible discusses the punishment for murder. The Bible lists several types of murder (eg in front of witnesses, by accident, suicide, with animals etc). Here are the verses and here is how Rashi and Rambam interpret them (96)Gn09-05b I'll seek the blood of your souls SUICIDE (97)Gn09-05c I'll seek from all animals MURDER BY ANIMAL*1 (98)Gn09-05d I'll seek from men MURDER-NO WITNESS (99)Gn09-05e from your brothers*2 ACCIDENTAL MURDER (100)Gn09-06a Murder will be punished by courtsMURDER & WITNESSES NOTES: ----- *1 Rashi gives a reason (why the law has to emphasize murder by animals is a punishable crime). 'Since the generation of the flood behaved like animals I might think that only deterministic murder is prohibited but exposing people, who behave like animals, to animals is not full fledged murder' Therefore the verse explicitly prohibits it *2 On these two phrases Rambam says 'I will seek from men from your brothers' MURDER BY AGENT Rambam (Murder Chapter 2) agrees with Rashi on 3 out of 5 cases. The Rambam is much more logical than Rashi here. The Rambam only lists 3 (not 5) cases corresponding to the 3 repeating "I WILL SEEK" in the verse. Furthermore the Rambam deals with different METHODS of murder but not with problems of INTENT and EVIDENCE (which is what Rashi deals with) ----------------------------------------------------------------- #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: EXAMPLE9 RASHIS COVERED: Dt19-11a Dt22-14a Dt21-14a Dt21-22a Lv26-14a Lv26-14b Lv26-15a Lv26-16b Lv26-16c Lv26-16d Lv26-16e Dt11-25a Dt32-15a Dt32-15b Dt32-15d Dt16-19a Dt16-19b Dt16-19c Dt16-19d Dt16-19e Dt16-20a Dt06-13a Dt13-05a Dt13-05b Dt13-05c Dt13-05d --GRAND SUMMARY-- --METHOD 3c-- --SOME VERSES ILLUSTRATE TEMPORAL SEQUENCE TOWARDS A CLIMAX-- --HERE IS AN EXAMPLE FROM THE SUCCINCT SUMMARY-- 3c) Dt19-11a If you HATE a person and you STALK him and you ARISE on him and then LETHALLY HIT him RASHI: The Bible outlines 4 stages that lead to murder. 1st you HATE the person, then you SPY on him... Then you CONFRONT him and finally this leads to murder In method 3c we infer meaning from CONTEXT The EXAMPLES usually describe a TEMPORAL sequence leading to a CLIMAX. --WE NOW CONTINUE WITH THE EXAMPLES-- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (101) Dt21-22a Why do children commit horrible crimes? The Bible in 4 paragraphs describes the following sequence: ---You take a captive woman(Whom you end up hating) ---You have 2 wives...a 'real one' and a 'despised one' ---You have a rebellious son ---a capital crime is committed against God MORAL: Avoid making your children into criminals; instead only marry someone you are compatable with (cf Rape of Tamar by Amnon in 2Sam13 which turned love (actually lust) into hatred) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (102) Dt21-14a How does love turn into hate? The Bible describes the following sequence. --You capture a foreign woman --You find her attractive --You have an affair with her --You bring her into your house --Then you will end up hating her*1 NOTES ----- *1 The verse actually says "if you hate her then let her go" MORAL: Avoid hatred later in life by not having affairs/marriages with women you disagree with. (cf Rape of Tamar by Amnon in 2Sam13 which turned love (actually lust) into hatred) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (103) Dt22-14a How do bitter divorce battles happen The following are the DETAILS/COMPONENTS ---He HATES his wife ---He ARGUES about her ---He MALIGNS her ---He claims she wasn't a VIRGIN on the wedding night MORAL: To avoid bitter divorces see to it that arguments don't include maligning each other. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (104) Dt19-11a How do murders happen? --If you HATE your friend --You AMBUSH and STALK him --You CONFRONT him --And you KILL him MORAL: To avoid murder don't SPY/STALK on a people you hate Instead ignore them ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (105) Dt32-15a (106) Dt32-15b (107) Dt32-15d The Bible lists 3 stages in overeating ----Overeat ----Becoming Overweight ----Becoming Flabby*1 NOTES ----- *1 Rashi compares these 3 stages to 3 stages of idolatry * Worshiping idols * becoming INVOLVED (overweight!) in other cultures * becoming settled in their ways;(Flabby) This makes going back difficult; MORAL: If you do get invovled with anoter culture leave before you become 'settled'. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (108) Dt11-25a Using Dt07-22, Rashi lists 4 stages in destroying a nation ----Destroy the country ----Destroy the leaders who might be left over ----Eradicate their good name (It might inspire rebuilding) ----Don't allow any escapees (who might rebuild out of revenge) MORAL: If your country is being destroyed try and save some leaders with good names who will be capable of rebuilding. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (109) Lv26-14a (110) Lv26-14b (111) Lv26-15a (112) Lv26-16b (113) Lv26-16c (114) Lv26-16d (115) Lv26-16e BACKGROUND: How does APOSTASY--the total leaving of Judaism, happen ---1st You stop LEARNING ---2nd You stop certain PERFORMANCES of commandments ---3rd You MAKE FUN of irrational commandments ---4th You AVOID JEWIS COURTS ---5th You AVOID the COMMUNITY ---6th You commit COMPLETE APOSTASY ON JUDAISM*1 MORAL: If a person starts turning astray make sure to maintain community ties with the person in order to facilitate bringing him/her back. NOTES: ------ In the main posting there are 5 supportive linguistic items used to bolster the above a) The use of the word MY in the last 2 verses Emphasizing rebellion against God (Please read the original text (or in English) to see this. Thus in this case the first few verses state "if you do not listen to me and don't do THE COMMANDMENTS" The next verse however says "If you despise MY statutes" b) The use of INFINITIVES denoting ongoing process in the last verse--LEAVING THE COMMUNITY (vs ordinary verbs in the 1st--'dont listen') c) The reversal of VERB-OBJECT order. (So the 2nd sentence reads "and if the IRRATIONAL COMMANDMENTS you despise") d) The transition from ACTION verbs in sentence 1 (DO LISTEN) to EMOTIONAL verbs in sentence2 (DESPISE) e) The use of the word IF in the first few verses ('IF you don't listen' and 'IF you don't do') vs the use of the word UNTIL in the last verse('UNTIL you reach apostasy') ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- In the following examples there is no sequential climax Instead, the last phrase is a CLIMAX & the first 2-3 phrases illustrate NEEDED COMPONENTS ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (116) Dt16-19a (117) Dt16-19b (118) Dt16-19c (119) Dt16-19d (120) Dt16-19e (121) Dt16-20a Dt16-19:20 How to achieve a societal atmosphere of Justice? How do you achieve "JUSTICE JUSTICE PURSUE" ---------------------------- THE FOLLOWING ARE COMPONENTS ---------------------------- 1a) Don't harass VERDICTS (eg make an innocent person guilty) 1b) Don't harass LITIGANTS(eg smile at one;be formal with other) 1c) Don't harass YOURSELF(eg taking bribes even for true verdicts) --------------------------- THE FOLLOWING IS THE CLIMAX --------------------------- 1d) "Justice Justice Pursue" RASHI: A nice judicial atmosphere NOTES: ----- Here are the actual verses and the Rashis. Note how the association between verses and Rashis is not that strong. In other words Rashi used the principle of CONTEXT to justify reinterpreting the individual verses as indicating components of the general goal. Here are the 6 verses and Rashis Dt16-19a "Don't distort justice" RASHI: Don't distort VERDICTS Dt16-19b "Don't recognize people"RASHI: eg smile to 1;frown to 2nd Dt16-19c:"Don't take Bribes" RASHI: Even for true verdicts ---------------------------------------------------------- Dt16-19d: "For bribes distorts sharp people Dt16-19e: and distorts words of righteous people *1 ---------------------------------------------------------- *1 Notice how in one verse emphasizes distortion of people While the other verse emphasizes distortion of words Thus we see that Bribes distort both ---sharpness AND ---FORMULATION of verdict (ie WORDS of righteous people) (Eg You decided the verdict and someone then gives you a bribe to decide the verdict along the lines you just decided!! It is still prohibited to take the bribe as eg you might not forumlate the verdict in a way that is sympathetic to the loser OR you might, in sentencing, be harsher than usual) Dt16-20a "Justice Justice pursue"-- RASHI: A nice court and judicial atmosphere NOTE: ---- Rashi on Dt16-20a also follows the rule of DOUBLE NOUNS (ie REPEATED NOUNS) The repeated words JUSTICE JUSTICE denotes doing something in all circumstances. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (122) Dt06-13a FEAR God WORSHIP God SWEAR by his name. RASHI (rephrased): ----------------- RATIONAL: A person tends to swear by those things that -a) he is AFRAID of -b) he is INVOLVED in and WORKS at. MORAL: If you are AFRAID of God and are INVOLVED in his works then you will spontaneously swear by him when you are angry: (By contrast if you are CONCERNED of your standing in the physical community and are INVOLVED in the physical community then your swearing will be 'foul' (ie 'physical'). Thus you can tell by how a person swears 'where' he/she is. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- (123) Dt13-05a (124) Dt13-05b (125) Dt13-05c (126) Dt13-05d Dt13-05 The Bible deals with the general question of how to achive 'hanging out' with the religious community It lists the following components --------------------------------------------------- These are the DETAILS --------------------------------------------------- Dt13-05a Watch Gods COMMANDMENTS Rashi: The TORAH*1 Dt13-05b Listen to his VOICE*1 Rashi: Enactments of PROPHETS Dt13-05c WORSHIP him*1 Rashi: Temple service(PRIEST) ----------------------------------------------- This is the GENERAL GOAL ----------------------------------------------- Dt13-05d "Hang out"*2 with the religious community MORAL: We can use the above checklist if a person isn't well knit in the community. eg, perhaps a person is strong in Torah and PROPHETS(rabbinical ordinances) but is weak in SYMBOLIC commandments (PRIEST) and that is why he isnt fully accepted. NOTES ------ *1 We emphasize how the interpretation of the above verse was accomplished by climax. Indeed each of the words in the verse has ambiguous meaning "LISTEN TO HIS COMMANDS" could mean EITHER observe the Torah or listen to the prophets. "HEARKEN TO HIS VOICE" can refer to prophecy(See Rashi on Gn21-12). "HEARKEN TO HIS VOICE" can also eg simply mean observing the Torah! "WORSHIP HIM" could mean "perform all his commandments". "WORSHIP HIM" can also refer specifically to temple service (ef Nu18-06). So **each** of these phrases could mean EITHER to perform commandments or could mean something specific. It is therefore the principle of CONTEXT &/or GENERAL-DETAIL which encourages me to interpret these phrases in a manner that climatically leads to a terminal goal of "hanging out with the religious crowd." *2 In this footnote we show that the interpretation o f Dt13-05d as "Hang out with the righteous" is consistent with the usage of the verb DVK. Please visit URL http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt11-22c.htm. Here is a summary RULE: The meaning of the Hebrew root D-V-K varies according to the connective word that is used with it. The root can mean PASTED, OVERTAKE, HANG OUT WITH, ADOPT A LIFE STYLE. EXAMPLES -------- (2a)D-V-K TO means PASTED as in Thr4-4"Infant tongues became PASTED to their Palate because of the drought" (2b)D-V-K ETH means OVERTAKE as in Gn31-23 "Laban OVERTOOK Jacob" (2c)D-V-K WITH & D-V-K IN mean to "HANG OUT WITH" or "ADOPT A "LIFESTYLE" as in Ruth2-8 "HANG OUT with my workers" or 2King3 "He clung to YARAVAMS LIFE STYLE of sin" or 1King11-2 "King Solomon HUNG OUT (or ADOPTED LIFE STYLE) of the heathen women he married" (2d)Dt11-22c means "Adopt a Godly LIFE STYLE" or "HANG OUT with people of God" and is interpreted to mean that one should try and "hang out" with Torah scholars. ----------------------------------------------------------------- #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rules.htm ======================================= To save space the rules are not repeated in this issue. See any other issue or the website for a list of the 2 dozen rules #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*