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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2000
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 8 Number 8
Produced Nov 24, 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
=====================
Gn24-02a Rashi comments on the construct grammatical form
We discuss why Rashi only comments on this well
known form on these verses.(One of the forms was
so rare it was omitted in the Mendelkorn Konkordance)
Ex12-05a It is well known that God gave the Jews Israel and
conquered the 7 nations. But only one verse mentions
these 7 nations. We review 10 verses some mentioning
only 3 nations and some mentioning as much as 10
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== ============== ================================
Ex13-05a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Ex33-02a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Ex34-11a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Dt19-08a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Ex23-28a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Dt20-17a DOUBLE PARSHAS Review of 10 verses with >the 7 nations<
Gn24-02a GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Gn29-27a GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Gn07-14a GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Ex28-11a GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Nu06-05b GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Dt04-41c GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Dt32-13h GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
Dt32-14f GRAMMAR When does Rashi comment on the CONSTRUCT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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
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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/
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VERSE: Ex13-05a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex13-05a Ex33-02a Ex34-11a Dt19-08a
Ex23-28a Dt20-17a
OVERVIEW:
========
Recall that God promised the Israelites the land of Israel
which was occupied by 7 nations. And indeed, these so called
>7 nations< are mentioned in 10 Biblical verses. But in
only >ONE< of them are all 7 mentioned. In half the verses
only 6 are mentioned. Furthermore Gods actual promise
to Abraham mentions 10 nations! Finally a few verses mention
2 or 3 or 5 nations. Rashi deftly explains guiding principles.
This set of Rashis is instructive since a variety of
explanatory vehicles are used. More specifically
---in some verses Rashi says >I dont know<;
---in some verses Rashi cites other verses to support reasons
---in some verses Rashi gives ingenious unsupported explanations
{LIST}
The 10 verses which list the nations that the Jews conquered.
Only one of them mentions 7 nations. The other verses mention
anywhere from 2 to 7 nations. Rashi explains why
================================================================
VERSE HOW MANY NATIONS ARE MENTIONED WHY DEVIATION FROM 7
======= ================================ ======================
Dt07-01 The 7 nations the Jews inherited
Gn15-19 God promised Abraham 10 nations 3 in Messiahs time *1
Ex03-17 Only 6 of 7 nations mentioned 1 nation fled *2
Nu13-29 Only 3 nations mentioned Regionally specific *3
Ex13-05 5 nations mentioned No reason given *4
NOTES
=====
*1 Rashi on Dt19-09a explicitly notes that Dt19-08:09 mentions
adding 3 lands in Messiahs time thus explaining the
discrepancy between the 10 and 7
*2 Rashi says this on Ex33-02a Ex34-11a. Rashi notes that
the Girgashi fled Canaan to Africa when Joshua came in.
The 5 verses where only 6 nations are mentioned are:
Ex03-17 Ex23-23 Ex33-02 Ex34-11 Dt20-17
{LIST}
The other 5 verses where the nations are mentioned are:
=======================================================
VERSE # of NATIONS REASON FOR DEVIATION FROM 7
======= ============ ===========================
Gn15-19 10 nations 3 extra in Messiahs time
Ex13-05 5 nations No reason given!
Ex23-28 3 nations Only nations >outside Israel<
Nu13-29 3 Nations Only nations >in the mountains<
{END OF LIST}
*3 Nu13-29 explicitly identifies these 3 nations as belonging
to a certain region. Hence it is not surprising that Rashi
borrows this idea of regional specificity on Ex23-28a--
Rashi points out that Ex23-28 which is discussing how the
Tzirah insect will poison the nations (So the Jews can
conquer them without weapons) only applies to Transjordan
and to the borders of Israel (Since this insect only lives
outside Israel).
Thus Rashis point is developed thru a comparison of verses
**and** the idea of >regional specficity< which is made
explicit in Nu13-29.
*4 We expect Rashi to explain >WHY< only 5 nations are mentioned
Undoubtedly there is a reason. But Rashi simply says he
doesnt know of a reason.
Rashi supplements this implied statement of ignorance with
a statement that >All 7 nations were called CANAANITES<
presumably because Canaan was the father of several of these
nations (some of which were his descendants (Gn10-15)). Also
the list of 5 nations in Ex13-05 is complemented by the
list of 1 nation in Ex13-11 >When God brings you to the
land of CANAAN< thus bolstering Rashis point that it is
not necessary to mention all 7 nations(Ex13-05a)
The following additional points on this enigmatic verse
were made by my Shomrey Emunah Rashi class.
--Ruth Shain asked for an analytic formulation of Rashis
treatment of Ex13-05. I responded with the following
analogy. The word NY can refer either to the >CITY<
of NY or to the >STATE< of NY. Thus in the following
sentence >I travelled to NY, ALBANY, BINGHAMTON...<
the word >NY< refers to the >CITY<. But in the following
sentence >I am Governor of NY and ALBANY< the word >NY<
refers to the >STATE< of NY (of which Albany is the
capital). Hence Rashis analytic point is that CANAAN
in this sentence doesnt mean the >STATE< of Canaan
but rather the whole >CANAANITE COUNTRY<
--Dr Howard Klein pointed out that Stone also cites
my cross reference to Gn10-15. Finally Dr Klein
actually advanced an explanation for why only
these 5 nations are mentioned in Ex13-05: Only
these 5 nations are actual descendants of
Canaan as listed in the genealogies of Noach
in Gn10-15 and surrounding verses.
I immediately caught on and suggested that this
was sort of a poetic hint by God: >Just as I
just took you out of one tribal nation (Egypt)
so too I will bring you to another tribal
nation and conquer it--to Canaan and his 4
sons< This would explain why the emphasis
in Ex13-05 is only on those of the 7 nations
that were direct descendants of Canaan.
Finally I pointed out to Dr Klein that Rashi
only advances explanations that can be backed
by lists. Since this explanation (that God
took us out of one tribal nation and will
bring us to another) is a one-time explanation that
cannot be backed by a LIST, Rashi did not bring it.
{END OF LIST}
FURTHER COMMENTS:
=================
Dt20-17 says that we are prohibited from allowing survivors
for the 6 nations that we will inherit >AS GOD HAS PROMISED
US<.
Rashi on Dt20-17a points out that the capped words >AS GOD
HAS PROMISED US< refers back both to the Original promise
to Abraham (Gn15-19) as well as eg to Dt07-01 which mention
>ALL SEVEN NATIONS<. Hence by using this >CROSS REFERENCE<
(AS GOD HAS COMMANDED US) the verse reincludes all 7
nations. Such uses of cross references are common in the
Bible. The interested reader is referred to the following
url with many examples of rashis based on cross references
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ov.htm
Finally we close with a conjecture on a problem Rashi did not
mention. Why is it that Gn15-19 refers to the >REFAIM< nation
but everywhere else this nation seems to be referred to
as the >CHIVI< nation. Basically we suggest that >REFAIM<
was a generic name for >ANY POWERFUL NATION< (cf Dt02-20)
Here is a possible argument
We find that
--the Philistines gathered in Refaim Valley (2Sam5-19)
--the Philistines also occupied Givon (1Ch14-16)
--but the Chivi came from Givon. (Jos9-3,Jos11-19)
So perhaps the Chivi was one of the Refaim states. Since
the Chivi made a peace treaty with Joshua(Jos9) and the rest
of the Refaim were destroyed it would make sense to call
the Chivi, Refaim after their destroyed parent nation.
SUMMARY:
=======
Again I believe that this set of Rashi is very instructive
in that many types of explanations are given (those with
reasons, those with conjectures, those with supports and
some without any explanation).
RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Gn24-02a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn24-02a Gn29-27a Gn07-14a Ex28-11a Nu06-05b
Dt04-41c Dt32-13h Dt32-14f
RULE:
=====
Hebrew and English words have two forms
-the >ORDINARY< form -eg And Abraham was >OLD< (Gn24-01)
-the >CONSTRUCT< form-eg >THE ELDER< of his house(Gn24-02)
In other words the word >OLD< by itself is >OLD<. But when
it occurs as part of a phrase modifying or modified by
other phrases, >THE ELDER OF HIS HOUSE<,the word >OLD< becomes
>ELDER<. You can usually recognize the fact that a word is
modifying other phrases by the word >OF< (>elder OF his house<)
The above example was in English. The corresponding example
in Hebrew are the words >ZaKayN< vs >ZeKaN< (OLD vs ELDER).
SOURCES
=======
Almost any good Hebrew grammar book will have a discussion on
this. My favorite terse summary may be found at the back of
the Ibn Shoshan Dictionary in the table >FORMS FOR NOUNS<.
>FORM 2< is in fact this example from Rashi (OLD vs ELDER)
EXAMPLES
=========
We now review Rashis that comment on CONSTRUCT grammatical forms
In particular we explain WHY Rashi chose to comment on the
CONSTRUCT form in these cases. We now review other examples.
----------------------------------------------------------------
In the following Rashis either the surrounding verses contain
both grammatical forms (construct and non construct) Hence
Rashi felt compelled to comment on the construct
The 3rd column contains the entry in the Ibn Shoshan construct
table(D for Dictionary)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== = ===========================
Gn24-02a the ELDER OF his house 2 Gn24-01:02 have both forms
Dt32-14f the MILK OF cows 1* Dt32-14 contains both forms
NOTES
=====
*Dt32-14f has a rare construct form because the word contains
a guttural letter
------------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses the construct form is rare and
is not found in Ibn Shoshan (One form is even absent
in the Mendelkorn Konkordance). Since it is rare Rashi
felt compelled to mention it
------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== == ===========================
Ex28-11a a STONE JEWELERS work NA Rare construct *a
Dt32-13h from HARD rocky ground NA Only occurence of construct*b
Nu06-05b GROWN locks of hair 8 Exception to Rule*c
Dt04-41c On EASTWARD border NA Only occurence in Tnach*d
NOTES
=====
*a The ordinary form of the word (ChoRoSh) means >JEWELER<
The construct form of the word (ChoRash) means >A JEWELER
OF SUCH AND SUCH< There are only 3 examples in the
Bible:
-Stone Jewelers Ex28-11a
-Iron Jewelers Isa44-12
-Wood Jewelers Isa44-13
This construct form is Rare and is not listed in Ibn Shoshan
*b {LIST}
Meanings of the Hebrew word CHaLaMish with and
without construct
========================================================
HEBREW CONSTRUCT? TRANSLATION MY TRANSLATION
====== ========== =========== ==============
CHaLaMiSh by itself HARD ROCK CLEFTED ROCK
CHaLaMiSh in construct HARD ROCK CLEFTED ROCK
Thus the construct form does not add anything. For this
reason Rashi had to comment on it.
Furthermore the word CHaLaMish only occurs 5 times in
Tnach with only one of the them being construct
For a discussion of my translation vs other scholars see
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt32-13h.htm
*c The verb P-R-A means to >GROW<. Thus the verse is translated
>Let him grow the growth of the hair of his head<. Again
as in footnote *b the construct doesn't add anything and
Rashi had to emphasize it.
A further reason Rashi emphasized it is because it is a rare
form. Although Segolate nouns are common nevertheless this
segolate noun--P-R-A-- has >TWO< guttural letters (The 2nd
and 3rd letter). As such it is a rare form and Rashi had
to comment on it.
*d I was really shocked: This form is so rare that it does not
even occur in the famous Mendelkorn Konkordance (8th edition)
(A communication from several posters on the Email Group
HebLang at Shamash pointed out that this form although it
is rare occurs more than once. It occurs 3 times and may
be found in the 1st set of corrections in Mandelkern on
page 1535a in the 8th edition. The 3 occurences are Dt04-41
Jos12-01 Jud21-19.
The usual construct form for >EAST< is the Hebrew >MiZRaCh<.
It is well known that adding a HEY to a word can mean
>In the direction of that place<
So I would suggest that >Mizrecha Shemesh< means the
>EASTWARD BORDER< while >Mizrach Shemesh< means >EASTWARD<
This makes sense since the 3 refuge cities were scattered
across Israel's border.(This usage is also consistent
with the occurence of Mizrechah in Jos12-01. However it
is not clear that it is consistent with the usage in Jud21-19
Perhaps the intent there is that Benjaminites from the WHOLE
east coast journied to Shiloh).
This explanation is not full-proof however. Since when a
HEY is appeneded to a words end the accent should fall
back (which does not happen here).
In any event it is a rare form since it occurs only 3 times
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses the construct leads to a different
interpretation of the verse
-----------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT(Construct CAPPED) D WHY RASHI COMMENTED
======== ====================== == ===========================
Gn29-27a wait the WEDDING WEEK 65 not >wait 7 more years<*a
Gn07-14a any FLYERS OF wings 63 Includes grasshoppers*b
NOTES
=====
*a This deals with the Jacobs working for Rachel 7 years.
Recall that he was double crossed and given Leah. When
confronted Laban said >Work 7 more and I will give you
Rachel<.
This is sometimes interpreted as >Work 7 more years and
then I will give you Rachel<. But the proper translation
is >Fill this WEDDING WEEK (For Leah) and then I will
give you Rachel (advanced payment) in exchange for the
extra work<
*b Without the construct the verse would read >Birds, (with)
ALL wings<. With the construct the verse reads >any
FLYERS OF wings<. Thus the construct interpretation
includes grasshoppers.
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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*