Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List
VISIT the RASHI DATABASE archives AT
http://www.RashiYom.com/
Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2000
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 8 Number 12
Produced Dec 8, 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
====================
v9-w-8a STATE OF THE BIBLE REPORT.
v9-w-8b COMING SUNDAY: A WEEKLY PARSHAH LINK. Requests by readers
WEEKLY PARSHAH
--------------
Gn32-32a
>REUBEN< means >REU BYN< or >MAY GOD JUDGE(REU) BETWEEN
ME AND MY SISTER(BYN)<. See an in-depth discussion on
why Rashi will PRESENT a sound idea by using exaggeration
and puns. This posting is fundamental for understanding
Rashi methodology: Presentation vs Explanation.
Gn29-02a
We begin a series on MISSING SENTENCE PARTS (ELLIPSIS).
We show many Rashis whose goal is to fill in a missing
sentence part.
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== ============== ================================
Gn29-32a WORD MEANINGS >REUvEN< means >SEE the DIFFERENCE<
Gn29-02a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn41-13a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn39-14a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn48-01a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn48-02a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn39-04a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn04-15a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
Gn13-06a GRAMMAR Sometimes a sentence is missing a word
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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 REFERENCE: 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: v9-w-8a
STATE OF THE BIBLE REPORT
I announced the Rashi is Simple 2nd anniversary last issue
I neglected to give my STATE OF THE BIBLE REPORT
I am happy to announce that we have completed 16% of all Rashis
on Chumash. We have also completed presenting all Rashi rules
with one exception (the so called >Picture rule< which occurs
when Rashi is describing a picture of something like the
Candellabrah and Priestly truban).
I am especially proud that this year we have completed the
famed EXAMPLE series which shows how Rabbi Ishmaels rules
are rules governing examples.
Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; President Rashi is Simple Inc.
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
Please visit the website to review the example series if you
haven't already seen it.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-w-8b
QUESTION:
========
For those who dont know, there is a SUGGESTION BOX on my Rashi
website. I have received several requests for a PARSHAH PAGE.
Here is the most recent one:
>Yasher Coach on all your postings. I find them very interesting
Here is my suggestion: You should have a Parshah page so that
people who need Dvar Torahs for the week can find them there<
Several other readers over the years have asked similarly
RESPONSE
=========
The problem in the past is the LOADING time. We have, thank God
several 100 files and over 1000 Rashis. If I created a Parshah
Page with these items it would take a long time to load.
However after receiving the last question I decided to create
a WEEKLY PARSHAH PAGE every week.
So next Sunday you will have a PARSHAH PAGE with all the Rashis
in next weeks Parshah, VAYISHLACH.
The week after that the PARSHAH PAGE will have all the Rashis
in VAYAYSHEV.
And so on.
I hope this page goes well.
And again, if you have suggestions please email me or drop
them in the suggestion box.
Russell Jay Hendel;
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn29-32a
THE VERSE
=========
Gn29-32 >And she (Leah) called his name REUVEN, because she said:
God has seen my affliction for now my hubby will love me<
THE ETYMOLOGY
=============
The Hebrew word >REUVEN< is composed of the words >REU< and
>BEN<. The word >REU< means >SEE<. The word >BEN< primarily
means >INBETWEEN< and is frequently used to denote >JUDGING
BETWEEN TWO THINGS< as the following LIST shows.
{LIST}
Verses showing that >BETWEEN< is frequently used to
indicate >JUDGING between two things< *1
========================================================
VERSE TYPICAL VERSE WITH THE WORD *BETWEEN*
======== ===============================================
Jud11-27 May God Judge BETWEEN The Jews and the Amonites
Gn16-05 May God judge BETWEEN me(Sarah) & you(Abraham)
1Sm24-12 May God Judge BETWEEN me(David) and you(Saul)
Gn31-53 May the God of Abraham ..judge BETWEEN us
Jud09-23 God sent a bad mood BETWEEN Avimelech & Schem
Isa5-3 Judge BETWEEN Me(God) and my Vineyard
NOTES
=====
*1 Of course the word BETWEEN can also denote things
other than strife as in
1Sam7-14 There was peace BETWEEN the Jews and
the Emorites
{END OF LIST}
SUMMARY
=======
The simple meaning of >REUVEN< is >MAY GOD SEE/JUDGE BETWEEN ME
and MY SISTER<. This theme of >JUDGING BETWEEN THE TWO SISTERS<
is common in the naming of several tribes as can be shown in
the following LIST
{LIST}
Names of tribes which reflect JUDGING between the two rival
sisters
===========================================================
VERSE TRIBE NAME REASON
===== =============== ==================================
Gn29-06 DAN DAN means to JUDGE
Gn29-08 NAFTALI NAFTALI means the sisters WRESTLED
Gn30-21 DINA DINA means to be JUDGED
NOTES
=====
Almost all the other names of the tribes reflect this rivalry
For example >SHIMON< is named because >GOD HEARD I WAS HATED<
{END OF LIST}
RASHIS STATEMENT
================
This is simple enough. And indeed Rashi does start his
explanation with this idea. Here is what he says
>The word REUVEN means SEE/JUDGE what a DIFFERENCE there is<
But now all of a sudden Rashi seems to become fanciful. He
departs from the simple meaning of the chapter which is
talking about the rivalry of the two sisters. Instead Rashi
explains the name REUVEN by continueing as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------
See the difference between me and Esauv. For Esauv first
sold his birthright to Jacob and turned around and tried
to kill him when he obtained the Elder blessings.
By contrast in Jacobs children there was not only no stealing
of the birthright, but even when the birthright was taken
away from this newly born child >REUVEN< and given to Joseph
not only did Reuven not try and kill Joseph, but on the
contrary, when the brothers tried to kill Joseph, Reuven arose
to try and save him from the brothers(Gn37-22).
Thus he is called >REUVEN< because his birthright was stolen but
he tried to save Joseph to whom the birthright was given. By
contrast, Esauv willfully sold his birthright and tried to kill
Jacob when he took the elder blessings. So indeed we >SEE THE
DIFFERENCE< between Esauv and Reuven.
----------------------------------------------------------------
It would appear that Rashi avoided the simple explanation above
and used a fanciful explanation based on prophecy and future
events.
RASHIS METHOD IN WRITING EXPLANATIONS
=====================================
But the truth is that Rashi actually believed the original
explanation we gave. What therefore has to be explained is
Rashis method in presenting explanations.
Rashi will frequently NOT express abstract ideas. His method
of pedagogy was to use >EXAGGERATION< and >NUMEROLOGY< as
a vehicle of >PRESENTATION<.
Although all Rashi explanations are based on Database queries
and are solidly backed by grammar, Rashi will frequently
avoid technical explanations and instead use methods of
EXAGGERATION. My opinion, is that he did this because he lived
before the printing press and wanted to make sure that his
commentary was remembered; the best way to remember something
is to use >EXAGGERATION and COINCIDENCE<
Let us give one or two examples of this method of Rashi
EXAMPLE 1:
---------
REUVEN was named because Leah said >MAY GOD JUDGE/SEE
the DIFFERNECE between me and my sister<.
Rashi expressed this using exaggeration. Rashi instead emphasized
>See the difference between REUVEN and ESAUV<
EXAMPLE 2:
---------
Gn45-14 says that >Benjamin mourned for the years of
life that Joseph had lost because he had the BACKBONE to stand
up to his owners wifes seductions<
Rashi however applies the mourning to the destruction of the
temple at Shiloh which was destroyed.
Thus Rashi used EXAGGERATION and COINCIDENCE. The Temple of
Shiloh was a HOLY PLACE which corresponded to Josephs HOLINESS
in avoiding his masters wifes overtures.
EXAMPLE 3:
---------
Gn32-04 >I(Jacob) have STAYED OVER by Laban for 20
years< (Implying he felt uncomfortable there because of his
more religious life style).
Rashi makes his derivation because of the nuances of the
word >STAYED OVER<
Rashi however uses NUMEROLOGY and says that the phrases
>OBSERVE THE COMMANDMENTS< and >STAYED OVER< used the same
letters.
Thus in summary Rashi would agree that our verse should
be >EXPLAINED< using the phrase >May GOD JUDGE BETWEEN US<
But Rashi used techniques of exaggeration and coincidence
to >PRESENT< the explanation.
REFERENCE
=========
This idea on the difference between how Rashi >EXPLAINS<
ideas vs how he >PRESENTS< ideas may be found in URL
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h1n14.htm
RASHI RULE USED: WORD MEANINGS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn29-02a
RASHIS EXPLAINED: Gn29-02a Gn41-13a Gn39-14a Gn48-01a Gn48-02a
Gn39-04a Gn04-15a Gn13-06a
RULE:
=====
Most sentences have at a minimum
--an ACTIVITY (the verb) and
some COMPLEMENT to that activity such as
--a SUBJECT (who did it),
--INDIRECT OBJECT (Where it was done),
--OBJECT (To what was it done).
a) Sometimes however a sentence is MISSING some part.
b) Or equivalantly, a pronoun is used whose reference is absurd
In such cases it is logic not grammar that dictates how the
sentence is read
EXAMPLES
========
1) Gn41-13a
RASHI: The verse: >And there was there a Hebrew slave who
interpreted our dreams; and as HE interpreted the dreams
so did they occur; HE returned me to my job; but HE
hanged the other person<. This sounds as if JOSEPH
returned him to his job and as if JOSEPH hanged the
other person he interpreted for.
The phrase is missing a SUBJECT and should read
>And there was a Hebrew slave who interpreted our dreams;
as HE interpreted the dreams so did they occur; **PHAROH**
returned me to my job but PHAROH hanged the other
person<
As we have exlained often, Rashi may make the same comment
on several different verses but only FULLY explain himself in
one verse. On this verse Rashi explains as follows
---------------------------------------------------------------
The traditional method of identifying the SUBJECT of a
sentence (WHO did the activity) is to use the last mentioned
person. So for example if the verse says >As HE(=Joseph)
interpreted so it happens; and HE returned me< then the
grammatically proper way to interpret this verse would be
to suggest that JOSEPH returned them
But there is a second alternative method for interpreting
Biblical verses and that is to use the OBVIOUS SUBJECT, the
person CAPABLE of doing the activities. Thus if it says
that >HE RETURNED ME TO MY JOB but HE HUNG THE OTHER PERSON<
then it must be referring to PHAROH who was in charge and
capable of doing such things.
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Also see Rashi on Gn01-01b for a statement about missing
sentence parts)Let us now review other examples of missing
subjects
2) Gn29-02a
RASHI: The phrase Gn29-02a >there were 3 flocks by the well
because from that well THEY watered the flocks< makes it sound
as if the flocks watered themselves!
Actually the sentence is MISSING a SUBJECT and should read
>There was a well with 3 flocks ..since from that well
THE **SHEPARDS** WATERED THE FLOCKS<
3) Gn39-14a
RASHI: The phrase Gn39-12:14 >And she grabbed him by his
clothes (to seduce him) but he fled and when she saw he
fled she told her staff SEE THAT HE BROUGHT US A SLAVE
THAT PLAYS WITH US< makes it sound as if JOSEPH brought
himself to this household.
Actually the sentence is MISSING A SUBJECT and should read
>And she grabbed him by his clothes but he fled and when
she saw him fled she told her staff SEE HOW **MY HUSBAND**
BROUGHT US A SLAVE THAT PLAYS WITH US<
4) Gn48-01a
RASHI: Gn48-01 and the surrounding verses state:
>and Jacob said SWEAR TO ME and Joseph
swore and JACOB bowed to him. After these events HE said
YOUR FATHER IS SICK<; It sounds as if Jacob told
Joseph he was sick.
But the sentence is simply missing a subject and should
read >After these events SOMEONE FROM JOSEPHS STAFF
said YOUR FATHER IS SICK<
In this verse Rashi also cites a second opinion which in
this case is reasonable
>There is an alternative interpretation: It is reasonable
that Josephs children use to visit Grandpa Jacob(in Goshen)
In fact it is reasonable that Grandpa Jacob did home
schooling for his grandchildren. Then when Jacob became
sick he could have sent his grandchild to tell Joseph that
he was sick. Thus the original interpretation AND JACOB
TOLD JOSEPH HE WAS SICK STANDS<
In summary, pronouns, usually refer to the
last mentioned person. But if the resulting interpretation
is absurd then we should identify the subject based on
capability. In the last example both methods are reasonable
Here is another example like this
5) Gn48-02a
(This example is similar to example 4)
RASHI: The phrase >And after these things HE said to Joseph
YOUR FATHER IS SICK. & HE TOLD JACOB your son Joseph is
coming< makes it sound as if JOSEPH announced his own coming
Although Rashi does not explicitly state so, this is a
reasonable interpretation (Since it is the nature of people
who visit to announce their coming)
Rashi points out that an interpretation based on a missing
subject is also reasonable >And **SOMEONE IN JOSEPHS STAFF**
announced that he was coming<
The above examples review missing SUBJECTS. We now review
other types of missing sentence parts.
6) Gn39-04a
RASHI: The phrase >And the Egyptian liked Joseph and...
he appointed him on his household and EVERYTHING HE
HAD he placed under him<
The sentence is MISSING the word >THAT<
The phrase should read >he appointed him on his household
and EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD he placed under him<
7) Gn04-15a
BACKGROUND
----------
God had just banished Kayin from Gan Eden for murdering his
brother. Kayin protests that he will be vulnerable. God says
>INDEED IF ANYONE KILLS YOU... : (But) You will be given 7
generations till I avenge your murder of your brother
and kill you<
RASHI: The capped words >INDEED IF ANYONE KILLS YOU...<
is an incomplete sentence. It follows the patterns of
macho people who use tough language without being
specific (Eg >I Swear if you dare do such and such<)
Rashi brings similar macho verses such as 2Sam5-8
>IF anyone touches the Yevusi...<
These unfinished sentences evoke fear in the ears of
the hearer who complete the sentence with the thing
they fear the most.
8) Gn13-06a
RASHI: The phrase >AND THE LAND WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR
BOTH OF THEM< makes it sound like they had too many
people and there werent enough apartments.
The phrase is missing a word and should read
>AND THE **PASTURE** OF THE LAND WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR
THEM<
(Rashi presents a grammatical argument for the above.
The word SUFFICIENT is masculine which would link to
PASTURE which is masculine but not to LAND which is
feminine).
This completes all(but one) example of MISSING SENTENCE
PARTS in Rashi, in Genesis. We will review examples from
the other books in future issues
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: To my sister who thinks I am spending too much
time with abstractions. She put me on an email list for
funny sentences and words (Like >Why do you DRIVE on a PARKway
but PART in a DRIVEWAY<.) I therefore wrote this posting to show
that many Rashis can be learned this way.
RASHI RULE USED: GRAMMAR
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
=======================================
I: RASHI gives MEANING
======================
A: NEW MEANINGS--(eg)"on the face of"=during the lifetime
Volume 2 Number 9, http://www.rashiyomi.Com/Nu04-04a.htm
B: SPECIAL WORDS--(eg)ACH=USUALLY;USUALLY observe shabbath!
Rashi Yomi Summaries,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ach-6.htm
C: SYNONYMS--(eg)AMR=to speak; DBR=to cite or to quote;
Volume 2 Number 1, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Lv20-02a.htm
D: WORD MEANINGS-Thermos(TzNTzNTh)=doubly(TZN TZN) Cold(TZN)
Volume 1 Number 9,23,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex31-15a.htm
E: UNIFIED MEANINGS-PAAM=Repeated action:To Ring,Hammer,Step
Volume 1 Number 3,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn41-08a.htm
II: RASHI teaches GRAMMAR/STYLE
===============================
F: CLASSICAL GRAMMAR--(eg)QUESTION = HEY+CHATAF PATACH
Volume 3 Number 22,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn04-09z.htm
G: USAGE(NEW GRAMMAR)--(eg)INFINITIVE="be involved in";
Volume 5 Number 24,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex13-03a.htm
H: ROOT+PREPOSITION--(eg)ChZK B="to hold";ChZK M="overpower"
Volume 1 Number 7,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex04-04a.htm
I: THE SENTENCE--2 verses can make 1 sentence-eg Dt02-16:17
Volume 3 Number 7,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt19-06a.htm
J: STYLE--REPETITION denotes Endearment;eg 'Jacob Jacob'
Volume 1 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn46-02a.htm
K: DOUBLE NOUNS--(eg)"GIVE GIVE";if not CHARITY then LOAN
Double Noun page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/DN.htm
L: PRONOUNS-(eg)IMCHAH=with you; ITCHAH=Accompanying you;
Volume 3 Number 13,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex22-24c.htm
III: OVERALL TEXTUAL STRUCTURE
==============================
M: OTHER VERSES--Aaron SAW(Ex32-05)...the brawl(Ex32-18)
OTHER VERSE page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ov.htm
N: EXTRA SENTENCES-eg[GIVE HIM][WHAT HE NEEDS](Not if rich)
Volume 2 Number 20,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt15-08c.htm
O: DOUBLE PARSHAS-'he WILL pray'-'he WON'T pray';So Optional
Volume 3 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt24-14a.htm
P: CLIMAX-(eg Dt19-11)(a)Hate, (b)spy, (c)confront,(d)Murder
Climax Page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Climax.htm
Q: OVERALL STRUCTURE-growing nails=despisement(from context)
Volume 3 Number 8,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt21-11a.htm
R: SPREADSHEETS-What is the marriage loophole in inheritance
Volume 2 Number 23,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Nu36-03a.htm
IV: BEYOND THE TEXT
===================
S: MORAL LESSONS/REASONS-God explains BEFORE punishing;
Volume 2 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Nu12-09a.htm
T: RabbiIshmael-(eg)"When an OX gores";(Or ANY animal gores)
Volume 4 Number 21,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt25-04a.htm
End of Rashi-Is-Simple Digest
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*