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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2000
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 8 Number 17
Produced Dec 27, 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
--------------------------------------------
-SUMMARY OF RECENT NEW ITEMS-
-VISIT http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
--------------------------------------------
* Free Download of the RashiYomi Calendar
* Advanced Jewish Philosophy Page
http://www.RashiYomi.COm/judaica2.htm
* 2 new editions to the Hendel vs Leibowitz series
--------------------------------------------
-SUMMARY OF RECENT NEW ITEMS-
--------------------------------------------
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
READER COMMENTS
===============
v9-w-27a Details on the two new Rashi commentaries mentioned
by DAVID KATZ. A Rashi Script workbook good for
home schoolers and early grades.
Gn43-32a An anonymous person from Congregation Shomrey Emunah
asks about the Rashi-Rashbam controversy on Gn28-11d.
Did Rashi really beliee that a bunch of stones fought
for the right to serve as Jacobs pillow.
WEEKLY PARSHAH
--------------
Gn41-35a See Rashis unique method of teaching Hebrew grammar
using >ALMOST IDENTICAL< word pairs
Gn42-02a Another Rashi-is-Simple success! See how Rashi never
believed in Gematria and only used Grammatical methods
Gn42-28a The Hebrew word >ALSO< (GAM) has 3 fundamental meanings
Gn42-34a The Hebrew root >Samech-Chet-Resh< has a fundamental
unifying meaning of >CONTINUAL MOTION TO AND FRO<
Hence it can refer to >SHOPPING< and >MARKETING
ACTIVITY<. It does not per se however mean buying.
Gn41-57a Biblical verses can sometimes be made clearer by
a rearrangement of words in the verse.
OTHER POSTINGS
==============
Gn40-12a A Peach of a Rashi due to Rabbi Hirsch. Learn the
one fundamental principle of Symbolic interpretation
from the master of Symbolic interpretation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== ============== ================================
Gn43-32a MORAL REASONS Moral values derived from the inanimate
Gn28-11d MORAL REASONS Moral values derived from the inanimate
Gn41-35a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn43-18a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Ex19-18a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Dt07-23a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn29-06a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn18-20b GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn15-17e GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn42-21b GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn34-29b GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn46-26a GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn49-04d GRAMMAR Rashi teaches grammar by >near misses<
Gn42-02a SYNONYMS Do you say >COME< or >GO DOWNALSO<
Gn42-34a UNIFIED MEANING >Samech-Chet-Resh<=>TO & FRO MOTION<
Gn41-57a GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
Gn02-19b GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
Gn14-15a GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
Ex02-05a GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
Nu19-07b GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
Dt04-38a GRAMMAR Rearranged verses can sound better
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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-27a
ANNOUNCEMENT OF REPRINT OF 2 RASHI COMMENTATORS
GOOD GRADE-1 RASHI SCRIPT BOOK
I have checked into the 2 Rashi commentators that
David Katz brought up last time.
Here is the story
---------------------------------------------------
NAME: Sefer DEVEK TOV
LANGUAGE: Hebrew
AUTHOR: Shimon Oshenberg The Levite
DESCRIPTION: Commentary on (selected) Rashis
Several of this books commentaries
gather lists of similar Rashis.
This would correspond to our
SPECIAL WORDS rule.
PUBLISHER: Sifray Kodesh Mishor
718 871 8412 and 718 871 8652
COST: Under $15
------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
NAME: MayRah Dacyah
LANGUAGE: Hebrew
DESCRIPTION: Dikdukim in Rashi
INCLUDES: Kenay Bosem (Short summary of Hebrew grammar)
PUBLISHER: Sifray Kodesh Mishor
718 871 8412 and 718 871 8652
COST: Under $15
--------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
NAME: Rashi Script
LANGUAGE: English
DESCRIPTION: Workbook for lower grades on Rashi script
PUBLISHER: Torah UMsorah
718 259 1223
COST: Under $15
2nd EDITION: 1996
----------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn40-12a
COMMENT:
=======
This is a peach of a Rashi due to the master of Symbolism
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch.
RULE: PRINCIPLES OF SYMBOLISM
==============================
The principles of symbolic interpretation are expounded
by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in his famous essay
>Groundlines for Jewish Symbolism< which you
can find translated in the 3rd volume of Rav Hirschs collected
works which can be obtained from the Publisher Feldheim.
I have given a succinct but comprehensive summary of these
principles in my essay on the interpretation of Genesis 1
which you can find on the RashiYomi website at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gen-1.htm
The basic idea behind symbolic interpretation is the following
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--there is one basic idea or equation that explains the symbolism
--all other ideas flow from this one equation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATION
===========
{LIST}
In the 2nd column in the LIST belown
we have a summary of the dream of the
wine pourer. In the 4th column we have a summary of the
dream of the Baker. Both dreams emphasize >THREENESS<
This was the key to the dream: Something would happen in
>THREE< DAYS.
The other ideas of the dream flow from this
theme: eg >I squeezed the 3-branch-vine to Pharohs cup<
means >In 3 days I will be squeezing wine for Pharoh<.
By contrast >Birds ate from 3 baskets on my head with
Pharohs food< means >3 days hang over my head till birds
eat from me<.
This interpretation follows the principles
of symbolism mentioned above; it is also
hinted at by the PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE. Notice how for
both the wine pourer and baker the following concepts
each have their own verse
(a) the verse with >THREENESS< and
(b) the other items of the dream.
Thus the Torah seems to emphasize that
the >THREENESS< should come first and
afterwards the rest of the explanation. By using two verses
the Bible emphasizes that >THREENESS< is motific.*2
===============================================================
V V
E E
R R
S S Basic
E Wine Pourer E Baker Idea Application
= =============== = ============ ======== ===================
9 There is a vine
10 3 branched vine 16 3 baskets 3=3 days
over my head 3 days hover on you
blossoming vine 3 days will blossom
ripe grapes 17 Good food RE: Your job
11 Pharohs cup
I take grapes Birds eat food to pharoh or death*1
I squeeze them
I give Pharoh
NOTES
=====
*1 There are many subtleties in this symbolic interpretation.
Notice how the Bible repeats the phrase(Gn40-16 and Gn40-17)
>on my head<. This is a well known idiom in all languages
>something is hanging over me<
At any rate the Bible is clear that the wine pourers grapes
went to Pharoh while the bakers food went to the birds (death)
*2 [Added Dec 31, 2000]
A further support of this >MOTIF< approach to dreams may be
found in the interpretations of Pharohs dreams. Indeed we
have the following structure
Gn41-25-----The two dreams are one
Gn41-26:27------7 cows/stalks = 7 years (The >MOTIFthe 3 branches are a SIGN to you for 3 days<
Based on Rav Hirschs symbolism we interpret the word >SIGN< as
>PRINCIPLE< or >AXIOM< or >MOTIF<. In other words Rashi is
explaining that the >THREENESS< is >MOTIFIC< and fundamental.
As already pointed out this idea of a symbolic >MOTIF< was
successfully used by Hirsch in his other symbolic interpretations
of the Bible.
RASHI RULE USED: SYMBOLISM
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn42-02a
COMMENT
=======
One of the fundamental principles of this email list is that
all explanations brought by Rashi are the simple meaning of
the text and follow grammatical rules. In particular we
show that Rashi never used fanciful methods of explanation
like numerical coincidences or gematriahs. This posting is
a peach of a Rashi since it affords us the opportunity to show
that Rashi never believed in Gematria except as a memory device
RULE
====
When going from place to place
(a) The ordinary term used is >COME< >MOVE<
(b) You however may use the term >COME UP< or >GO DOWN< if
one of the places has more importance >TO YOU<
APPLICATION
===========
{LIST}
The following LIST shows a variety of verses referring to
motion between >EGYPT< and >ISRAEL<. Notice how normal
usage is >MOVE<. However since >ISRAEL< is more important
to the Jews we find the terms >GO DOWN FROM ISRAEL< vs
>GO UP TO ISRAEL< when referring to the Jews.
===============================================================
VERSE MOVE/DOWN TEXT OF VERSE
======= ========= =============================================
Gn45-17 MOVE Pharoh asks Jews to >MOVE< the food to Israel
Gn45-18 MOVE Pharoh asks Jews to >MOVE< to Egypt
Gn12-10 WENT DOWN Abraham >MOVED DOWN< from Israel to Egypt
Gn42-02 GO DOWN Jacob asks children to >GO DOWN< to Egypt
Gn45-09 COME DOWN Joseph invites Jacob to >COME DOWN< to Egypt
Gn46-04 GO DOWN God promises to >GO DOWN< with Jacob to Egypt
Gn46-04 GO UP God promises to >BRING UP< Jacob from Egypt
Gn03-08 GO UP God says He will >BRING UP< Jews from Egypt
{END OF LIST}
RASHI
=====
Rashis actual language on Gn42-02 is >Jacob told his children
to GO DOWN to Egypt: This hints at the 210 years of exile
since the gematria of GO DOWN is 210!<
We first explain this Rashi by explaining >Gematria<
Gematria assigns numerical values to letters of the alphabet
Thus >A< gets 1, >B< gets 2 etc.
Each word is assigned the numerical value of the sum
of the numerical values of its letters. For example
the word >ABE< gets assigned the number 8 since >A<
is the first letter (and gets a value of 1),
>B< is the second letter (and gets a value of 2) and >E< is
the fifth letter (and gets a value of 5). Hence >ABE< gets
assigned the value 8 (1+2+5).
Hence an appropriate Gematria on the word >ABE< is >Circumcision
is done on the 8th day because the Gematria of ABE is 8 and the
commandment of circumcision was given to the Patriarch ABE<
Clearly the above derivation is just a clever nursery rhyme to
help us remember. Everyone knows that babies get circumcised
on the 8th day because God ordered circumcision on the 8th day
No one seriously takes the Gematria as the >REASON< or the
>SOURCE< for the commandment. Such a memory device would have
extreme power before the advent of the printing press since
the Gematria is punchy and compact and facilitates memory.
In a similar manner as the above >LIST< shows, the Jews feel
their primary home is >ISRAEL<. A >MOVE< to Egypt is a >DESCENT<
for the Jews. This is in fact explicitly stated in the Convenant
of the cut pieces: >Your progeny will be foreigners in a land
not belonging to them (Gn15-13).<
Thus Jacob used the term >DESCENT< because Israel is the Jewish
home. Jacob was simply reminding his sons that even though there
is food in Egypt it still was not a place for the Jews whose
real home is Israel.
That is all Rashi meant.
The clever coincidence that >GO DOWN< in Hebrew Gematria is 210
which so happens to be the number of years the Jews were enslaved
is just an amusing accident which helps people remember. The
logical status of this gematria is no different than my Gematria
on ABE=8.
Indeed we see Rashis genious. For everyone now knows this Rashi
and how the word >GO DOWN< hints at the exile. (By contrast if
I had written Rashi and used the above LIST I doubt anyone
would remember the Rashi.)
RASHI RULE USED: SYNONYMS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn41-35a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn41-35a Gn43-18a Gn49-04d Ex19-18a Dt07-23a
Gn29-06a Gn18-20b Gn15-17e Gn42-21b Gn34-29b
Gn46-26a
COMMENT
=======
Rashi teaches classical grammar here.
We have many books teaching classical grammar today.
These books are available in both English and Hebrew.
I will not go into the technicalities of Hebrew Grammar.
However I will indicate how to utilize known sources to
learn grammar.
Furthermore, Rashi never does anything in an ordinary way.
Rashi had an ingenious method of teaching grammar using pairs
of >ALMOST SIMILAR< words. This enabled the student to grasp
principles.
Notice how we should never overlook the obvious in learning
Rashi. How many people would read a Rashi on grammar and
comment >Rashi is JUST teaching grammar<. The proper method
however is to seek out how Rashis approach to teaching grammar
is different than other approaches to teaching grammar.
RULE
====
Consider the following Hebrew word:
>Aleph(with an OH sound)-Caph(with an EH or EY sound)--Lamed<
* If the accent is on the 1st syllable
then it is a >NOUN< and means >FOOD<
* If the accent is on the last syllable
then it is a >VERB< and mead >TO EAT<
RULE
====
* The root >Resh-Aleph-Hey< means >TO SEE<
* The root >Yud-Resh-Aleph< means >TO FEAR<
However the ACTIVE-FUTURE-PLURAL of these two verbs
differs in only ONE LETTER, YUD
>YUD-RESH-ALEPH-VAV< means >TO SEE<
>YUD-YUD-RESH-ALEPH-VAV< means >TO FEAR<
SOURCES
=======
A good comprehensive but not overly technical summary of
grammatical forms can be found in the IBN SHOSHAN Dictionary
The form >OH-Che-L< is NOUN FORM #10. The verb form >OH-Ca-YL<
may be found in Table 1, present tense.
The verb forms for >SEE< and >FEAR< may be found in
Tables 9 and 5 of the verb forms.
These tables may be found at the back of the 5th volume of
the dictionary. I warmly recommend these tables since they
are good summaries
{LIST}
FURTHER EXAMPLES OF RASHIS PEDAGOGIC METHOD OF >ALMOST THE SAME<
=================================================================
VERES SUBTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO WORDS
=========== ====================================================
1) Gn49-04d PATACH-PATACH vs KAMATZ-PATACH*1
2) Ex19-18a KAMATZ-PATACH vs KAMATZ-KAMATZ*1
3) Dt07-23a KAMATZ-KAMATZ vs KAMATZ-PATACH*1
4)Gn29-06a*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
5)Gn18-20b*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
6)Gn15-17e*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
7)Gn42-21b*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
8)Gn34-29b*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
9)Gn46-26a*2 Accent differences between 1-Vav-3 and 1-2-Hey roots
10)Gn41-35a >FOOD< vs >TO EAT< (noun vs verb) differs in accent
11)Gn43-18a yud-2-3 vs 1-2-Hey verbs differ in one letter
REFERENCES
==========
*1 http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h4n17.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn49-04d.htm
*2 http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn15-17e.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h4n7.htm
{END OF LIST}
RASHI RULE USED: GRAMMAR
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn43-32a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn43-32a Gn28-11d
RULE
====
There are many verses where
---the >MEANING< of the verse is clear
---the >GRAMMAR< and >SYNTAX< are clear
Nevertheless, Rashis commentaries focuses on
--->MORAL REASONS/LESSONS or INFERENCES< from the verse.
Although the meaning of a verse is clear and unambiguous
nevertheless inferences are countless. We should therefore
regard Rashi as simply teaching us one of the many inferences
and/or reasons. We need not seek anything >BOTHERSOME< in the
verse.
EXAMPLE 1
=========
Perhaps the most famous such Rashi is the Rashi (Ex20-23b) which
explains the Biblical prohibition of having steps in the temple
(All staircases in the Temple had to be ramps).
The verse explains >because if there were steps your nakedness
would be exposed to the staires<
This simply means that the Temple had a high standard of holiness
Rashi comes along and gives a moral inference >If the Torah cared
about the feelings of stones, that they shouldnt be exposed to
human nakedness, how much more so should we care about the
feelings of people and be sensitive not to hurt them<
Now clearly Rashi did >NOT< believe that stones had feelings.
Rather Rashi used metaphors and parables as a vehicle for
moral teaching.
This is the proper method and attitude towards learning these
Rashis. Let us now apply this to a controversy between the
Rashbam and Rashi
EXAMPLE 2
=========
BACKGROUND
----------
The Bible is describing how Jacob camped out for the night.
The Torah says
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gn28-11>He took from the stones of the place &placed by his head<
Gn28-18>He took **1* the stone*2 ***3******* placed by his head<
------------------------------------------------------------------
*1 *2 *3 As the Rashbam notes the meaning of the above 2 verses is
clear: There were many stones where he camped and he took
one to surround his head.
Rashi however states that >the stones of the place fought
with each other: which one would have the merit to
have the Patriarchs Jacobs head on them<
Certainly Rashi does not believe that stones fight with
each other any more than he believes that stones have
feelings!! Rather Rashi is using the differences in
the above two verses to hilight a moral norm: When a
great person comes to a place he should always be
cognizant of the fact that ordinary people (symbolized
by stones) will want to honor him---a great person
should always let as many people as possible honor him.
In summary
---the verse simply means there were many stones & Jacob chose 1
---but the difference in the verses motivates us to sensitivity
on peoples feelings.
---Both Rashi and Rashbam would agree on these two facts. That
is Rashi would agree that Rashbam gave the simple meaning of
the text while Rashbam would agree that Rashi gave a
legitimate moral inference from the text.
---Thus there never was a controversy between Rashi and
Rashbam on this verse!
EXAMPLE 3
=========
Gn43-32 says that >it was disgusting for Egyptians to eat with
Jews<.
Without a commentary I would say that the Egyptians were racist.
Rashi however cites the Aramaic translation that gives a reason
>The Egyptians worshipped Sheep while Jews eat sheep<
(Note that a similar logic is mentioned by Moses in Ex08-22)
Again Rashi teaches us moral values: People dont just hate--
they have reasons for what they do and these should be sought out
{LIST}
The following list of examples of Rashis that teach moral
norms may be found on the Rashi website. Simply visit
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ and click on the BY-RULE link.
Then go down to the BY-RULE pulldown. Now scroll down till
you see the category >REASONS/IMPLICATIONS< Here are
some sample Rashis
==========================================================
VERSE MORAL LESSON TAUGHT
======== ================================================
Gn36-33a Bad neighborhoods bring bad habits
Gn48-02a Show respect to All Kings, even evil ones
Lv19-34a Don't see your own blemishes in your friends
Nu03-38a It is good to live near Righteous people
Nu07-01b Who gets credit--Worker? or Manager?(Answer:Manager)
Dt04-25a The NEW take risks; the OLD are conservative
Lv20-16a Why are animals punished for their crimes?
Nu35-14a Why were refuge cities unfairly allocated ?
Dt01-03a When is the best time to Rebuke people
Dt24-15a >The worker risks his life< Why?
{END OF LIST}
COMMENTS: [Added December 31, 2000]
=========
We have asserted above that in this verse there is no controversy
between Rashi and Ramban. The following two comments support this
COMMENT 1
---------
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gn28-11>He took from the stones of the place &placed by his head<
Gn28-18>He took **1* the stone*2 ***3******* placed by his head<
------------------------------------------------------------------
One additional way of approaching these two verses is to use
the methods of Rabbi Ishmael. In particular these two verses fit
into the paradigm of >two contradictory verses<.
We have shown 5 methods that are used to resolve contradictions.
A summary with about two dozen examples may be found at URL
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ri-14.htm.
The second of these methods is to perceive the two verses as two
>STAGES< (ie two different times). So Gn28-11 would speak about
the >MANY< stones that were available for Jacob to select from
>BEFORE< sleeping. Gn28-18 would speak about the >ONE< stone
that Jacob had selected >AFTER< he got up.
This is >EXACTLY< what Rashbam does. It follows that this
approach of Rashbam is consistent the methods of Rabbi Ishmael
which Rashi himself followed. Thus we have support that Rashi
agreed with Rashbams approach
COMMENT 2
---------
The biggest objection I receive to my alleged reconciliations
of controversies is that I am >reinterpreting< verses. Who gives
me the right to do this?
But this also is not a question. We recently completed a whole
series on >MISSING BIBLICAL SENTENCE PARTS<. According to this
principle Biblical verses >ARE< interpreted using common sense,
not grammar. For example Ex10-05 says >And the locusts covered
the covered the ground and THEY could not see the gound<
Grammatically this means that the >LOCUSTS< couldnt see the
ground. Why not add to the miracles of Passover? Why not say
that God gave Orev human like eyes that couldnt see.
The point is that it is logic not grammar that dictates the
meaning of the verse. Thus the real meaning of the verse is
>And the Orev covered the ground and they (PEOPLE) couldnt
see the ground<
In a similar manner on our verse in Genesis. Of course the
verse says that >He took from the stoneS of the place<. But
using logic instead of Grammar we would say >He selected
one stone from many stones<
The complete series on >MISSING SENTENCE PARTS< may be found
at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/miss-6.htm
I hope these two comments lend credibility to the thesis
that Rashi Rashbam and Chazal really agreed on this verse.
RASHI RULE USED: REASONS/IMPLICATIONS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn42-28a
REFERENCE:
=========
The following material comes from the 10 Year Ayelet Daily
Rashi cycle which is hosted by the email list Chevruta and
which you can find on the Rashi website. This comes from
the series on the word >ALSO<. Those who wish to see
the original posting can go to the Rashi Yomi Calendar OR
visit http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gam-9.htm. The calendar may
be found at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm
------------------------CITATION-FROM CALENDAR-------------------
The following 9 unit series is devoted to the Rashis on the
Hebrew word
>GAM (Also)
A person completing this series will have proficiency in the 3
methods that the word
>ALSO
is understood. In previous modules we have explained the 3
meanings of ALSO
THEME/METHOD 1: ALSO can mean AN EXTRA RECIPIENT
=================================================
EXAMPLE: (Gn20-5a) Sarah ALSO said she was Abrahams sister
RASHI: Sarah, and her maids ALSO, said Abraham was a brother
THEME 2: ALSO can means a DERIVED or RELATED PRODUCT
====================================================
EXAMPLE:
-------
Dt23-19c Bringing a prostitutes payment to God is ALSO disgusting
RASHI: eg If she was payed with wheat then
>bringing WHEAT to the temple is disgusting
>bringing FLOUR from that wheat is ALSO disgusting
THEME 3: ALSO refers to a similar ANALOGOUS RELATIONSHIP
========================================================
EXAMPLE:
--------
Ex07-23 says that at the plague of blood, that
>Pharoh hardened his heart(didn't listen)
>and didn't pay attention ALSO TO THIS
But at the >stick turning into a snake< Ex07-13 only says
>Pharoh hardened his heart(didn't listen)
Hence we have the
>RASHI:(Ex07-23a)
>Pharoh didn't pay attention to the plague of BLOOD
>Pharoh ALSO didn't pay attention to the 'stick to snake'
{LIST} {The 2 dozen Rashis where ALSO means something extra. As
can be seen the something extra can be
>(a) an extra object of a verb or
>(b) a derived object or
>(c) some relational structure.
For reasons of compactness we are brief here. For
further details please see the other postings.}
VERSE THEME TEXT ALSO
======== ============== ================ ==================
Ex19-22a Extra Object Priests separate FirstBorn separate
Ex06-04a Extra Object Vision of SHTAI Treaty of Shatai
Ex12-31b Extra Object You leave Elders leave
Ex18-18b Extra Object You will wither Elders will wither
Dt12-31 Extra Object Offer Children Offer parents
Dt26-13c Extra Object Give MAASER Give Teruma
Gn42-28a Extra Object Money in suitcase Wheat in suitcase*2
NOTES
=====
Gn42-28a was added on Dec 27 2000. The actual verse says
>And one of the brothers (of Joseph) said upon opening
his suitcase that: MY PAYMENT MONEY IS HERE AND IS also
IN MY SUITCASE<
The word >also< connotes that
--the payment money was in the suitcase
--the wheat they had bought was ALSO in the suitcase
RASHI RULE USED: SPECIAL WORDS
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VERSE: Gn42-34a
RULE
====
The Hebrew root >Samech-Cheth-Resh< has a fundamental unified
meaning of >CONTINUAL MOTION BACK & FORTH<. When it is applied
to commercial activities it does not refer so much to >BUYING<
as it does to >MARKETING/SHOPPING ACTIVITY--BACK & FORTH
BARGAIN HUNTING<
APPLICATION
===========
Gn42-34 should be translated >Bring me your brother and it will
prove that you are not spies but ordinary people: I will give
you back your imprisoned brother & you can ROAM the land<
{LIST}
Radack lists the 6 meanings of the Hebrew root >Samech-Chet-Resh<
As indicated above the fundamental meaning is
>CONTINUAL MOTION TO AND FRO< (RADACK, Book of Roots and Rashi)
In the commercial sphere the verb would refer to >MARKET
ACTIVITIES< or to >TRAVELLING SALESMAN<
VERSE MEANING TEXT OF VERSE
======= ========== =============
Jr14-18 ROAM Even prophets & Priests ROAM without finding
Ps38-11 FLUTTER My heart flutters; my strength ebbs
Gn37-28 MERCHANT TRAVELLING MIDIANITE SALESMAN
Pr03-14 MERCHANDISE The Torah is better MERCHANDICE than silver*1
Es01-06 GLITTER Precious GLITTERING STONES*2
Ps91-04 SHIELD God is a SHIELD*3
NOTES
=====
*1 Merchandise comes from the root >Samech-Chet-Resh<
which refers to >CONTINUAL TO AND FRO MOTION< which
is the way merchandise exchanges hands in the market place
*2 Some say that the >SCHARCHAR< stone was the
>stone of merchants< which is why it received its name
from the root >Samech-Chet-Resh< which can mean merchant
But I contend that it refers to a >GLITTERING STONE<.
Stone >GLITTER< resembles in appearance >Heart Flutters<
For the light of the glitter goes back and forth which is
the fundamental meaning of the root >SCHARCHAR<
*3 Some say the etymology is because >SHIELDS< surround the
body (and >SURROUNDING< is like >TO AND FRO MOTION<)
BUt I contend that >SHIELD< vs >ARMOR< refers to a moving
SHIELD which can be used to deflect SWORD blows. Hence
the >SHIELD< is continually >MOVING TO AND FRO< which is
the essential meaning of the root >SAMECH-CHET-RESH<
{END OF LIST}
RASHI RULE USED: UNIFIED MEANING
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VERSE: Gn41-57a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn02-19b Gn14-15a Ex02-05a
Nu19-07b Dt04-38a Gn41-57a
REFERENCE: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn02-19b.htm
RULE:
=====
Some Biblical verses are best understood by rearranging
the order of words in the sentence
In the following verses Rashi recommends rearranging the verses
words as indicated (The capped words were originally elsewhere
in the verse--Rashis placement of them in the positions indicated
creates a smoother reading)
SIMPLE EXAMPLE
==============
Gn41-57
The actual verse says
>And other countries came to Egypt to buy food TO JOSEPH<
Rashis rearrangement sounds better
>And other countries came to Egypt TO JOSEPH to buy food<
In the other examples in the LIST we simply give the
rearranged version Those who want to see the original
may look it up
EXAMPLES
--------
(1)Gn02-19b Adam named ALL WILD BEASTS according to what their
name should be
(2)Gn14-15a HE & HIS SERVANTS split on them-& they conquered
them
(3)Ex02-05a And Pharoh's daughter went down
NEAR THE NILE to wash *1
(4)Nu19-07b HE'll wash his clothes-&then be pure-
BECAUSE HE REMAINS IMPURE TILL EVE
(5)Dt04-38a To CONQUER-nations stronger than you-
FROM BEFORE YOU
(6)Gn41-57a And other countries came to Egypt TO JOSEPH
to buy food*2
NOTES
-----
*1 There is some adult humor here for the unsophisticated.
The actual verse says
>And Pharohs daughter went down to bathe ON THE NILE<
Amusingly---she did not openly bathe in the Nile---rather she
bathed in a bath house that was located near the Nile). Hence
Rashi suggest the following rearrangement
>And Pharohs daughter went down NEAR THE NILE to wash<
Rashis point here is that the Hebrew word >AL< can mean
>ON< or >NEAR< depending on its position in the sentence
*2 The actual verse says
>And other countries came to Egypt to buy food TO JOSEPH<
Rashis rearrangement sounds better
>And other countries came to Egypt TO JOSEPH to buy food<
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website
Volume 6 Number 3
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h6n3.htm
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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
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