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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2001
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 9 Number 1
Produced Jan 26, 2001
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
READER QUESTIONS
================
V1-9-26A
YOSSI WETSTEIN asks about this weeks Parshah.
(The verse seems to say that Pharoh who had
wanted to kill Moses was dead. Why then does
Rashi interpret this verse that >Dathan &
Aviram were dead<
Gn47-27a Answer to EITHAN SPIEGELS question from last week
We review a controversy between RASHI & IBN EZRA
on Biblical interpretation which has practical
application.
v1-9-26B VOLUME 9 BEGINS. REQUEST FOR MORE READER QUESTIONS
A new Word Format for Rashi is Simple digests on
the web
PARSHAH SERIES
==============
Lv19-03d
Ex06-02b is one of the 2 dozen Rashis commenting on
>I AM GOD<. We comment on a third of these Rashis this week
and finish next week. This week we show that >I AM GOD<
is said by commandments ordering respect for people
lower in the social order---such as slaves, aliens,
foreigners, poor, rif-rafs, children---by stating
>I AM GOD< we emphasize that although these people
are helpless nevertheless God is watching and can punish
us if we misbehave.
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== ================================
Gn47-27a EXAMPLE5 Torah uses GENERAL-PARTICULAR style
Lv19-03d DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv19-10c DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv23-22c DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv22-30b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv19-16c DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv25-55a DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv19-34b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv24-22a DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
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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/
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VERSE: Lv19-03d
RASHIS COVERED: Lv19-03d Lv19-10c Lv23-22c Lv22-30b
Lv19-16c Lv25-55a Lv19-34b Lv24-22a
RULE
====
There are 613 Biblical commandments. About 2 dozen of these
commandments conclude or have the phrase >I AM GOD<. Why?
Why are these verses singled out for this phrase?
It turns out there are 4 reasons for using the phrase
>I AM GOD< in a commandment. One of the reasons occurs when
the commandment orders respect for lower social classes. Here
is the reasoning:
Ordinarily I do commandments because of fear of social reprisal
For example I dont steal because people would punish me or steal
from me.
However there is no reason not to pick on the poor or slaves or
aliens. Therefore on these commandments it says >I AM GOD<--
& in effect says, >Even though no HUMAN will punish you,
nevertheless, I, GOD, will punish those who pick on the
helpless and reward those who respect them.<
COMMENT
=======
Before presenting examples we take note of other postings on
>SPECIAL PHRASES< used only in certain commandments. eg
--ONLY 5 commandments use the phrase >FEAR GOD<
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/fear-3.htm
--ONLY a dozen commandments mention the >EXODUS<
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/egypt-5.htm
--ONLY half a dozen commandments mention >REWARD FOR PERFORMANCE<
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/reward-4.htm
EXAMPLES
========
{LIST}
This list presents commandments which use the language
>I AM GOD< These commandments all involve >FAIR TREATMENT<
to different social classes. The ideas seem to be
-- Dont think you can pick on the poor & they are helpless.
>I GOD<, am watching and will avenge their honor.
For this reason it says >I AM GOD<
-- Dont think you must listen to your parents if they tell you
to violate a commandment. For Gods commandments take
precedence over your parents. God has more power than your
parents and can protect and reward you.
Rashis exact language by these verses is that
-- >I am God< indicates that >I am God who can PUNISH or REWARD<
-- >I am God< indicates that both you and others are obligated
to follow my commandments<
And we have added that this emphasis is particularly needed when
the commandments cross social class borders
================================================================
VERSE TOP CLASS BOTTOM CLASS WHY >I AM GOD< is USED
======== ========= ============ =============================
Lv19-10c Rich Poor I, God, will protect Poor
Lv23-22c Rich Poor I, God, will protect Poor
Lv25-55a Citizens Slaves I, God, will protect Slaves
Lv19-34b Citizen Foreigner I, God, will protect aliens
Lv24-22a Citizen Foreigner I, God, will protect aliens
Lv19-16c Citizens RifRafs*1 I, God, will protect rifrafs
Lv22-30b Parents Child*2 I take precedence over parents
Lv19-03d Parents Children*3 I take precedence over parents
NOTES
=====
*1 This verse contains the prohibition of slander. I have
taken the liberty of interpreting this as applying to
lower social classes since it is the custom to slander
and malign people who are >rifrafs<. But even if you
dont accept this interpretation the idea still is
>dont slander helpless people because even if
they dont retaliate I will<
*2 In the other commandments a person in a >TOP SOCIAL CLASS<
like a rich person is commanded to help or treat nicely
a person in a >LOWER SOCIAL CLASS< like the poor or slaves
By contrast, in these commandments it is the person in
the >LOWER SOCIAL CLASS< like children who are commanded
to respect the people in >THE HIGHER SOCIAL CLASSES<.
The reasoning for including the phrase >I AM GOD<, however
is the same---even if a person above you orders you to
violate commandments you shouldnt listen since I God
am empowered to punish these people and reward you.
*3 Technically speaking these are commandments involving
sacrifices. However these commandments clearly symbolically
affirm respect for parenthood (eg one commandment says
dont offer both child and parent on the same day thus
showing respect for parenthood);
{END OF LIST}
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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VERSE: v9-1-26a
From: "Joseph P. Wetstein"
To: rjhendel@juno.com
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 10:05:27 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Returned mail: see transcript for details (fwd)
Message-ID: <200101171505.f0HF5RS25984@coe.drexel.edu>
How come Rashi on the pasuk "and they no longer wanted to
kill him" (when Moshe was returning to Egypt) refers to
Dassan and his buddy when the pesukim clearly were talking
about the old pharoa who had died?
Yossi
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn47-27a
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
===============
In this posting we answer EITHAN SPIEGELS question of last issue
>Why does the Torah use 2 phoneticizations of >RAAYMSAYTH<--were
they 2 different places<
RULE
====
The Torah will frequently state verses using a >GENERAL-DETAIL<
or >THEME-PARTICULARS approach.< This creates an emphasis that
>ONLY< the details apply and no generalization of the verse
should take place.
For example if the verse (Lv01-02) says >Offer cattle & grazing
animals to God< then I would be justified in perceiving cattles
and grazing animals as only examples--I would be justified in
>GENERALIZING< the verse and asserting that many types of animals,
not just cattles and grazing animals, can be offered. However by
using the >GENERAL-DETAIL< style the Torah emphasizes that >ONLY<
cattle and grazing animals can be offered--no other animals may
be offered. *1
REFERENCES
==========
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example5.htm
NOTES
=====
*1 In the references I show that
--based on Rashi (Pesachim 6a), it is normal in
Biblical style to >GENERALIZE< all examples
--Hence, the >GENERAL-PARTICULAR< style is used when you
dont want a >GENERALIZATION< and wish to emphasize ONLY
THESE
EXAMPLE
========
Gn47-27a ....the Jews dwelt >IN EGYPT IN GOSHEN<.
This uses a >GENERAL< (EGYPT) >PARTICULAR< (GOSHEN) style
and emphasizes that the Jews >ONLY< stayed in Goshen. They
did not mingle with the rest of Egypt
COMMENT
=======
I think the emphasis in Rashi is a praise of the Jews. Even
though they were in Egypt they did not assimilate into
Egyptian culture. Perhaps this verse and Rashi is the Biblical
source for the Talmudic dictum that >The Jews in Egypt did not
change their language, dress or their naming conventions<--the
reason they did not do so is because they had their own
neigborhood.
COMMENT
=======
The Ibn Ezra on Gn47-01 also emphasizes that the Torah uses a
>GENERAL-DETAIL< style. Thus we have a confirmation from the
Ibn Ezra for our general way of taking the >GENERAL-DETAIL<
style.
The Ibn Ezra on Gn47-01 also discusses the fact that the
Egyptian name >RAAMSAYTH< occurs with 2 different
phoneticizations in the Bible, >RAAMSAYTH< & >RAMESAYTH<.
Ibn Ezra suggests that perhaps these were 2 different places
and hence they had two different phoneticizations.
But we have already answered this last week in the posting
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ex01-11e.htm and
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h8n23.htm
There we discussed the Rashi-MichatShai controversy on this
very same topic.
The points we raised there remain valid for the Ibn Ezra
--The Jews >ENTERED< & >DEPARTED< Egypt at >RAAMSAYTH<
--If the Jews also >STAYED< in Egypt in >RAMESAYTH< then
it was probably the same place
--In fact the name >RAAMSAYTH< was changed to >RAMESAYTH<
on the occasion of changing the land from a sheep
grazing land to an industrial complex (Rashi Ex01-11)
--This minor change of names is consistent with other
Biblical examples of name changing
--Since Ibn Ezra and Minchat Shai state their opinions
as >PERHAPS they were two places< while Rashi states
>they were CERTAINLY the same place< and since Rashi
gives cogent arguments and LISTS to back up his
opinion and answers all objections, therefore we
are justified in deciding the controversy like Rashi.
RASHI RULE USED: EXAMPLE5
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VERSE: v9-1-26b
WELCOME TO VOLUME 9 of RASHI IS SIMPLE
* We are trying to increase Reader questions
Please mail in your favorite Rashi question
* Over the next few months we will develop a WORD FORMAT
for the Rashi is Simple issues on the web. Be sure to check
it out at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
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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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