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 18 Produced Dec 28, 2000 WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10) Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations READER COMMENTS =============== Gn41-34a Ruth Shain and Harry Rashbaum from my Shomrey Emunah class bring an ingenious resolution to two Rashis that seem to contradict each other. WEEKLY PARSHAH -------------- Gn45-23b (Next weeks Parshah) Bible describes the 4 stages of a meal Gn41-56c The fundamental meaning of >Shin-Beth-Resh< is >TO BREAK< or a >SUDDEN CHANGE IN STATUS< Hence we get WaveBREAKERS, BREAKTHRUS in interpretation a BREAK in Bargaining Gn43-24a Rashi does not make derivations from >counting< repetitions but rather from total overall structure Rashis covered in this issue ---------------------------- VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION ======== ============== ================================ Gn45-23b EXAMPLE9 Bible describes 4 stages of a meal Gn45-23c EXAMPLE9 Bible describes 4 stages of a meal Gn45-23d EXAMPLE9 Bible describes 4 stages of a meal Gn43-24a OVERALL STRUCTR Derivation made from whole paragraph Gn41-56c UNIFIED MEANING >Shin-Beth-Resh< means to >BREAK< Gn42-19c UNIFIED MEANING >Shin-Beth-Resh< means to >BREAK< Gn47-14a UNIFIED MEANING >Shin-Beth-Resh< means to >BREAK< Gn41-34a OTHER VERSE Controversy of CONTEXT vs DICTIONARY Ex13-18c OTHER VERSE Controversy of CONTEXT vs DICTIONARY ----------------------------------------------------------------- #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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: Gn41-34a RASHIS COVERED: Gn41-34a Ex13-18c ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: =============== To Ruth Shain and Harry Rashbaum and anonymous members of my Shomrey Emunah Rashi class for some very insightful comments on a difficult Rashi contradiction RULE ==== The Hebrew root >Chet-Mem-Shin< has a fundamental meaning of >FIVE<. {LIST} The 5 meanings of >Chet-Mem-Shin< (Courtesy of Radack) ====================================================== MEANING VERSE TEXT OF VERSE ======== ======== =========================================== Five Gn46-02 He took >FIVE< of his brothers Fifty 2Kn01-09 A General of >50< people Fifth Lv05-16 He shall return the theft & a >FIFTH<(fine) Fifth Rib 2Sam2-23 Avner hit him on the >FIFTH< rib Armed*1*2 Jos01-14 And you will go armed before your brothers NOTES ===== *1 The semantic relation between >FIVE< and >FIFTY<,>FIFTH< and >FIFTH RIB< are all clear. Less clear is the relation between >FIVE< and >ARMED<. The most cogent suggestion is that >ARMED PEOPLE< wear their gun-belt around their >FIFTH RIB< (The way McGarrett used to do it on Hawaii-5-O). Other suggestions are that the standard weapon gear had 5 weapons (like a Swiss army knife). *2 The word >CHAMUSHIM< occurs in only 4 verses: Jos1-14 Jos4-12, Jud7-11, Ex13-18 Note how in the first 3 cases it clearly means >ARMED< {END OF LIST} SIMPLE INTERPRETATION OF VERSES =============================== * Gn41-34a would be translated >Joseph taxed Egyptians 20% to prepare for the 7years of famine< *Cf a similar 20% tax in Gn47-24 *A 20% bracket is a reasonable bracket for a starving nation Ex13-18 would be translated >And the Jews left Egypt armed< THE OTHER VERSE =============== Rashi however interprets Ex13-18 as >Only a FIFTH of the Jews left Egypt< since 80% of the Jews died in Egypt. Such massive deaths at a time of redemption can be normal. For example {LIST} Punishments of the Jews frequently resulted in losses over 50% ============================================================== VERSES SITUATION OF PUNISHMENT PERCENT DYING ========= ======================= ======================== Zach13-07 In the PreMessianic Era 67% of the Jews will die Isa06-13 In the first exile 90% of the Jews will die Ex13-18 In the Egyptian Exile 80% of the Jews died Nu14 Wilderness rebellions 50% of Jews died(all men) {END OF LIST} Rashi deviated from the meaning that >CHAMUSHIM< has in all other verses without exception(See the list above). True, his suggested interpretation is consistent with the >ROOT< of the word which means >FIVE<. But this translation nevertheless differs from the translation of EVERY other occurence of the word CHAMUSHIM. The reason Rashi made such a startling deviation is because of the explicit statement in the previous verse Ex13-17 >And when God took the Jews out of Egypt He avoided Philistine land since the Jews might regret the redemption if they saw war< Hence, argues Rashi, if the Jews, a slave people, were so weak that seeing war would make them regret the redemption then it certainly would be inconsistent to give them arms! This is the essence of Rashis argument. And because of it he interprets Ex13-17 as meaning >That a FIFTH of the Jews left Egypt< Here is an analogy that I gave my Shomrey Emunah class: The statement >Arafat is a MODERATE< would normally mean that he is a reasonable person. This is the usual meaning of >MODERATE<. However >IN CONTEXT< the sentence has a different meaning: It means >Arafat is not as extreme as Chamas<. Thus this simple example shows us that >CONTEXT< can override >TYPICAL GRAMMATICAL MEANING<. In a similar manner although >CHAMUSHIM< means >ARMED< nevertheless in the context of speaking about a slave people who were afraid of war it must mean >20%---one fifth<. SUMMARY ======= * Gn41-34a is translated >Joseph taxed the Egyptian 20%< * Ex13-18 is translated >20% of the Jews left Egypt< *Rashi translates Ex13-18 in this manner because of the >CONTEXT< which is talking about a slave people. COMMENTS ======== COMMENT-1 --------- Harry Rashbaum pointed out that there are levels of fear where you are afraid of other people but you are not afraid to bear arms. Hence both interpretations of Ex13-18 would be admissable: >The Jews left Egypt armed< or >20% of the Jews left Egypt<. This is consistent with Rashi presenting both interpretations. (My traditional approach is to emphasize only Rashis second interpretation). COMMENT-2 --------- As I already indicated my students found the idea that >CONTEXT< could override >UNIVERSAL MEANING< strange. For that reason I came up with the analogy of >Arafat is a Moderate<. The word >MODERATE< always means reasonable; but in this sentence >CONTEXT< demands a different interpretation. COMMENT-3 --------- Ruth Shain of my Shomrey Emunah class suggested the following ingenious translation to the Rashi on Gn41-34 ---------------------------------------------------------------- The aramaic translation translates >CHMSH< as >PREPARE<; this is similar to the [suggested Aramaic] translation of Ex13-18 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Ruths contribution was to add the bracketed words: [Suggested Aramaic] by which she suggests that Rashis suggests that although the Aramaic translation on both these verses is >PREPARE< nevertheless >Just as I (Rashi) Disagreed with the Aramaic translation on Ex13-18 and translated it is as 20% so too do I disagree with the Aramaic translation on this verse and translate it as 20%< COMMENT-4(Summary) --------- Using the above idea of Ruth we have 3 approaches to these two verses 3 APPROACHES Ex13-18 Gn41-34 ========================== ================== =================== SIMPLE DICTIONARY APPROACH Jews left ARMED Joe taxed Egypt 20% ARAMAIC APPROACH Jews left PREPARED Joe PREPARED Egypt Rashis final decision 20% of Jews left Joe taxed Egypt 20% This idea of Ruth to view Rashi on Ex13-18 as presenting 3 translations and Rashi on Gn41-34 as presenting 2 translations makes Rashi consistent. COMMENT-5 (Simple Meaning vs Midrashic Meaning) --------- Harry Rashbaum and I have had an ongoing (and lively) discussion on the difference between the >SIMPLE< meaning and >MIDRASHIC< meaning in my Shomrey Emunah Rashi class This posting enables us to discuss the difference. The >SIMPLE< meaning refers to a meaning of the verse >BY ITSELF< If I just used the dictionary I would interpret >CHAMUSHIM< as >ARMED<. The >MIDRASHIC< meaning is incorrectly translated as >HOMILETIC< The proper translation of >MIDRASHIC< is >IN CONTEXT< Let us go back to our analogy of >Arafat is a moderate<. The simple meaning of the sentence is that Arafat is reasonable. But that is rediculous. As I once told Ruth Shain only Schizophrenics interpret sentences >BY THEMSELVES<. The proper method of interpretation is >IN CONTEXT<. In Context Arafat is simply less extreme than Chamas. This is both the Midrashic and the true interpretation of this sentence. COMMENT-6 --------- Finally one anonymous member of my Shomrey Emunah class brought up the problem: how we regard each interpretation of Rashi. She said she was taught that the first explanation of Rashi has problems which is why Rashi brings a second explanation. Everyone agrees with this. My approach is that the second interpretation is final. However the approach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe may he rest in peace is that there are problems with both approaches which is why Rashi brings both (instead of just one) Harry Rashbaum gave a defense of this approach to Rashi above by noting that some people are afraid of war but not of weapons Finally I have defended my approach that the second interpretation is alway final by suggesting that Rashi was empathic with a beginning student who only used the dictionary. Rashi also wanted to present the real meaning which is why he gave the 2nd interpretation RASHI RULE USED: OTHER VERSES #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: Gn41-56c RASHIS COVERED: Gn41-56c Gn42-19c Gn47-14a {LIST} SUMMARY OF RASHIS COVERED ========================= VERSE TEXT OF VERSE (Translation of >ShVR< is CAPPED) ======== ====================================================== Gn41-56c Joseph >SOLD< to Egypt food Gn42-19c Bring home >THE FOODS YOU BOUGHT< Gn47-14a Joe acquired all money thru the GOODS that they BOUGHT {END OF LIST} RULE ==== The >UNIFYING MEANING< of the root >Shin-Beth-Resh< is to >BREAK< >BREAKING< in turns is archetypical of >ANY SUDDEN CHANGE< and >ANY SUDDEN CESSATION<. APPLICATION =========== As we shall see in the LIST below any bargaining situation which finally terminates in a sale is called a >BREAKTHRU<. Hence the >BUYER<, the >SELLER<, and >THE GOODS BOUGHT< are called >ShVR<. {LIST} Here is a LIST of meanings of >Shin-Beth-Resh< courtesy of Radack ================================================================= MEANING VERSE REALTION OF MEANING TO >BREAK< ======= ======== ============================== Break Isa14-05 Break WaveBreakers Jon02-04 Sudden change in water height Interpret dreams Jud7-15 Sudden shift in understanding of dream Make a treaty Job38-10 Sudden shift in relations Buy/sell/goods*1 Gn42-26 Suddent shift in ownership Broken Spirit Isa65-14 Abrupt cessation of positive outlook Childbirth Isa37-03 The child BREAKS THRU the womb*2 NOTES ===== *1 Radack points out that the word can mean --any buyable good (Gn42-26) --the act of buying (Isa55-1) --the act of selling (Gn41-56) In other words all parties connected with the suddent shift of ownership can be called >SHOVER<. It appears that >SHOVER< refers to buying/selling in a situation where there is alot of market bargaining--hence the final sale is a >breakthrough<--a sudden shift from bargaining to settlement. Rashi like Radack points out that the word can mean --Selling(Gn41-56--this verse is also brought by Radack) --Buying (Gn43-02) --Any type of food(Isa55-01) Radack also derives the meaning >any type of food< from Isa55-01. *2 Some scholars connect >CHILDBIRTH< with >BROKEN SPIRIT< because of the pains of childbirth. But I think it more consistent to interpret >Childbirth< as a >BREAKTHRU< of the baby. {END OF LIST} RASHI RULE USED: UNIFIED MEANING #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: Gn43-24a RULE ==== Some Rashis focus on the >OVERALL STRUCTURE< of a paragraph rather than on the meaning of 1 or 2 words or phrases APPLICATION =========== --------------------------------------------------------------- Gn43-17 ...& the person brought the brothers INTO THE HOUSE Gn43-18 ...but they were afraid on why they were brought in Gn43-19 ...so the brothers went to person by the DOOR Gn43-23 ...& he said PEACE TO YOU..& he brought out Shimon Gn43-24 ...& the person brought the brothers INTO THE HOUSE Gn43-24 ...&he gave them water to bathe &fodder for the animals ---------------------------------------------------------------- RASHI ===== Rashi is Simple.He simply makes a point on the overall structure The verses clearly show that the brothers although they were brought into the house did not remain there; rather they went back to the doorman to assuage their fears; only when the doorman reassured him did they (re)accept the invitation to come in. Rashi says >There are two verses with GOING INTO THE HOUSE< (Gn43-17 and Gn43-24). But Rashi is not being picky and commenting on the TWONESS. Rather Rashi is commenting on the OVERALL STRUCTURE of -------------------------------------------------------------- --Coming into the house --being afraid --talking and being reassured --coming in again and being given bathing & fodder facilities --------------------------------------------------------------- Rashi mentioned most of these items (The TWO comings, the being afraid etc). But we must read the whole chapter to fully appreciate it(eg Rashi did not point out how at the second coming they were given bathing and fodder facilities). RASHI RULE USED: OVERALL STRUCTURE #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* VERSE: Gn45-23b RASHIS COVERED: Gn45-23b Gn45-23c Gn45-23d COMMENT: ======= This is posting #5 in our series on the difference between Dr Hendel and Dr Leibowitz. RULE ==== We have explained at great length in our example series that there are two types of Rashis ---Rashis based on Grammar, problems, or word meanings ---Rashis based on context and literary development More specifically if the Bible repeats some theme 3 or more times then the principle of CLIMAX demands that these items be interpreted in a CLIMACTIC MANNER. In other words it is wrong to derive what Rashi says from special words, grammar or nuances; rather Rashi is deriving meaning solely from the CLIMACTIC INTERPRETATION in and of itself. In our example series we have shown how this principle is implied in the principles of Rabbi Ishmael. You can find the example series at the following URLS http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example9.htm (replace 9 by 1-9) Let us see an example to clarify ths. EXAMPLE ======= Gn45-23 discusses how Joseph sent his father food. The actual verse says that Joseph sent Jacob --goodies --grain --bread --cooked items The principle of >CLIMAX< demands that these 4 items be interpreted as a progression in courses at a meal. The simplest such interpretation is the following {LIST} Perception of the 4 food items in Gn45-23 as 4 stages in the development of a meal ========================================================= ITEM PLACE IN MEAL EXAMPLES FROM THE MIDRASH ======= ================== ========================= Goodies Entree to a meal Wine, Beans, Dainties*1 Grain*2 Porridge/Soup Bread*3 Mainstay of meal Cooked items Side dishes Cooked fruit/vegatables*4 NOTES ===== *1 In other words I am suggesting that the core idea is that >GOODIES< refers to an >ENTREE<. Here are some specific suggestions brought by Rashi & commentators --Old wine (Rashi) --Beans because they are rare (YFay Toar MidrashRabbah 94:2) --Beans because they calm you (Matnoth Kehuna MRabbah 94:2) --Beans because they are dainties(MHarzu MRabbah 94:2) Each of the commentaries mentioned brings sources to defend the stated properties of beans(dainties, calming,rare) The important point is not to approach this using the idea of controversy. Rather the important point is to approach this using the idea of COMMONALITY--all 4 interpretations have in common the idea of ENTREE. Indeed an ENTREE is either --wine --something rare --something yummy and good --something calming In terms of the difference in approach between Hendel and Leibowitz you will note that the emphasis above is on one correct interpretation--the entree. The Leibowitz approach emphasizes more plurality of opinion and controversy. To a certain extent these two approaches complement each other but it is important to emphasize the common item to all interpretations *2 The Midrash brings the concept of Porridge---grain cooked in water---in connection with the 4th item in the list of foods sent by Joseph to Jacob I contend that this is out of place and that Porridge would go well with the second item in the above list of 4 since Porridge is made with grain, the second item on the list. I also note that the Mharzu, a commentator on the Midrash Rabbah 94:2 points out that there is an error in the text of the Midrash Rabbah since porridge could not, as the Midrash states, be an example of something that you dont say the blessing for MZONOTH on, since everyone agrees that porridge has the same status as cookies and cake. Although MHarzu brings this error he does not suggest a correction. I believe my suggested correction works well. In summary the second item on the list is >GRAIN< and I am suggesting that this refers to >PORRIDGE< *3 Normally the word >BREAD< can generically refer to any food, not just to bread; However because of the principle of >CLIMAX< we take the word >BREAD< in this verse to refer >SPECIFICALLY< to >BREAD< (This point is explicitly made by the YFay Toar on Midrash Rabbah 94:2) For a list of Rashis that state that >BREAD< can refer to >ANY GENERIC FOOD< see http://www.RashiYomi.Com/lv21-18b.htm *4 There are many controversies on this text. I have already discussed the Porridge problem above Here are some of the suggestions for the reference of the 4th item on the list. --The Aramaic translation suggests >ZVD< which means >BOILED ITEMS< --The MTNOTH KEHUNAH on Midrash Rabbah makes a suggestion of fruit. My own suggestion is that the Midrash is referring to >COOKED FRUIT or COOKED VEGATABLES<. This translation --would be consistent with the Aramaic --would be consistent with the MTNOTH KEHUNA --and would solve the porridge problem by amending the description of porridge from >grain cooked in water< to >fruit or vegetables cooked in water< {END OF LIST} SUPPORT FOR THE LIST FROM THE RAMBAM ==================================== Finally I can strengthen this interpretation of the list of 4 food items by comparing it with the list of foods that a husband must supply his wife with. The Rambam in the laws of marriage Chapter 12 Paragraph 10 lists the following foods which a husband is obligated to provide his wife ---bread ---beans or vegetables ---wine, oil or fruit Based on this Rambam we would extend the definition of >GOODIES< mentioned in Gn45-23 to include not only wine but also eg salads (oil,fruit and vegetables). SUPPORT FOR THE LIST FROM SCIENCE ================================= Finally I mention scientific support for our LIST. The most advanced diet today is the DASH diet which consists of bread, fruits and vegetables with occasional supplementation by beans and nuts and milk products. FINAL COMMENTS ============== As we look over the list of words in Gn45-23 ---goodies ---grain ---bread ---cooked items we see that the method we used to interpret these items had little to do with Hebrew or grammar. Rather we used our knowledge of meals to correlate the stages of a meal with the words in the LIST of the verse. This approach is the essence of the method of CLIMAX. The method of CLIMAX is a CONTENT oriented method not a grammatical method and hence it differs from the classical approaches to Rashi RASHI RULE USED: EXAMPLE9 #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*