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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2001
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 9 Number 11
Produced March 1, 2001
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
READER QUESTIONS
================
Ex27-15a
Sometimes I amaze even myself!
Recall how Ron Mitnick wanted to know why I consider
as simple the Rashi that the wood for the tabernacle
came from trees planted by Jacob?!
The quintessence of Rashis simplicitly is to show an
explicit verse for something we thought wasnt there!
Read how an explicit verse says that the Patriarchs
planted trees for our temple!!
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
=====================
Many Rashis on this weeks parshah are presented
In particular note:
For more Rashis on this weeks Parshah visit see
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/parshah.htm
Ex29-06a
Did you know that the famous aphorism >There are
3 crowns--the crowns of Wealth, Learning, & Morality
--but the crown of prophecy surpasses them all<
is derived directly from the Biblical text?
Ex25-12b
What do the early commentators argue about dictionary
meaning? Read here for an exciting illustration of
fundamental principles.
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== ===================================
Ex27-15a DOUBLE PARSHAS Rules of style about >THE< vs >A<
Ex25-05c DOUBLE PARSHAS Rules of style about >THE< vs >A<
Ex29-06a DOUBLE PARSHAS 4 Temple items have >CROWNLETS<
Ex25-11b DOUBLE PARSHAS 4 Temple items have >CROWNLETS<
Ex25-24a DOUBLE PARSHAS 4 Temple items have >CROWNLETS<
Ex30-03b DOUBLE PARSHAS 4 Temple items have >CROWNLETS<
Ex25-12b UNIFIED MEANING >Yud-Tzday-Kuf< means >CAST<
Ex09-33a UNIFIED MEANING >Yud-Tzday-Kuf< means >CAST<
Lv08-12a UNIFIED MEANING >Yud-Tzday-Kuf< means >CAST<
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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/
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex29-06a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex29-06a Ex25-11b Ex25-24a Ex30-03b
RULE
====
The word >NayZeR< refers to a CROWN-like-protrusion. It can mean
---a physical crown
---a crown of hair
---a physical protrusion (like a crown) jutting above something
According to Rashi, the Hebrew word >ZAYR< has >NAYZER< as its
root and also means protrusion. (The relation between Roots
beginning with NUN and ordinary roots is exhibited below)
EXAMPLES
========
{LIST}
Of all the temple objects mentioned in Ex25 thru Ex40 only
4 of them have CROWNLIKE protrusions coming out from them
The LIST below gives the temple ITEM, the VERSE that
discusses it, as well as what the object symbolizes.
Footnote *3 derives certain laws and aphorisms
==============================================================
ITEM VERSE CROWN LIKE OBJECT SYMBOLIZES
===== ======== =========================== =================
TABLE Ex25-24b Golden rim surrounded table WEALTH/KINGSHIP*1
ARK Ex25-11b Golden rim surrounded ark LEARNING
PRIEST Ex29-06a Golden mask on Priest head PRIEST
ALTAR Ex30-03b Golden rim surrounded altar PROPHECY*2*3
NOTES
=====
*1 The Table symbolized BREAD in particular and therefore
FOOD in general. Hence it symbolized WEALTH. The Talmud
extends this symbolic idea of WEALTH to include KINGSHIP
I think it safe to say that a unified approach would
see the >TABLE< as a symbol of >MATERIAL POWER< whether
the power of >WEALTH< or the power of >KINGSHIP<
*2 This refers to the >GOLDEN ALTAR< (not the >COPPER ALTAR<)
on which the >INCENSE< was offered. This clearly symbolizes
prophecy since we have
--the cloud of incense resembles the clouds of prophecy(Ez1-4)
--the golden altar resembles the fires of prophecy(Ez1-4)
--the gold altar was in the HOLY OF HOLIES (Like prophecy)
*3 This LIST CLIMATICALLY describes the path to prophecy
--economic security
--a master of learning
--conquers his evil passion (Priest)
--the Prophetic vision
The Great Maimonidees following the talmud notes these
attributes in his great code. The Talmud states that
>There are 3 crowns--the crowns of wealth, learning, and
priesthood--but the crown of HIS GOOD NAME surpasses them
all<
The Rambam codifies as law that prophecy only is bestowed
on someone who is
--wealthy
--wise
--strong on his passions.
Here we see the great unity of our traditions
--the moral exhortations of our sages (there are 3 crowns)
--the legal requirements of our law (wealthy,wise,moral)
--the databases of our Mesorah showing unending patterns
Praise be Him who chose them and their learning
{END OF LIST}
{LIST}
This LIST shows that 3 letter roots of the form >NUN-X-Y<
can frequently have the same meaning as the last two letters
>X-Y<. Thus >Nun-Bet-Lamed< and >Bet-Lamed< both mean WITHER.
=============================================================
ROOT1 MEANING1 ROOT2 MEANING2
============== ======== ========== ========
Nun-Bet-Lamed Wither Bet-Lamed Wither
Nun-Zayin-Resh Crown Zayin-Resh Crown
Nun-Tet-Pay Drip Tet-Pay Droplet
Nun-Pay-Shin Spatious Pay-Shin Spatious
Nun-Tzde-Resh Clefts Tzur-Resh Rock
Nun-Zayin-Kuf Damage Zayin-Kuf Spark
Nun-Chet-Shin Snake Chet-Shin Fast
Nun-Mem-Resh Leopard Mem-Resh Brazen
{END OF LIST}
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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VERSE: Ex25-12b
RASHIS COVERED: Ex25-12b Ex09-33a Lv08-12a
RULE
====
{LIST}
The Hebrew verb >Yud-Tzade-Kuf< has a fundamental unifying
meaning of >CAST< as in >CASTING A MOLD<. However from
this fundamental meaning we derive two other meanings
==========================================================
MEANING VERSE TEXT OF VERSE
======= ======== =========================================
CAST Ex38-27 To CAST the silver settings
POUR Lv02-01 And he will POUR on it oil*1*2
HARD Job41-16 His heart will be HARDENED like stone*2
NOTES
=====
*1 Actually >Yud-Tzade-Kuf< does not mean to >POUR<
but instead refers to a >POURING MOTION< that
resembles the >POURING< of >CASTING<--in other words
>Yud-Tzade-Kuf< always refers to a >VISCOUS POURING<
--such as the POURING of oil.
*2 The etymologies of these two other meanings are as follows
--- >POURING< resembles in motion >CASTING<
--- >HARD< resembles the end-result of the >CASTING< process
{END OF LIST}
COMMENT
=======
The above list comes as usual from the beautiful book of
ROOTS of the RADACK. RADACK notes the fundamental controversy
between RAV YONAH and RAV JUDAH, two mideval grammarians who
preceded him, on whether the Hebrew >Yud-Tzade-Kuf< has one
or 3 meanings. Radack (and similarly Rashi) rightly argues
that
---there is a fundamental unifying meaning, and also
---secondary meanings which however resemble and are derived
from the primary meanings.
This >UNIFIED< approach to meaning emphasized by such great
authorities as RASHI and RADACK is fundamental and has been
a guiding principle throughout this email list.
{LIST}
Here is a summary of the Rashis on the verb >Yud-Tzade-Kuf<
===========================================================
VERSE TEXT OF VERES WITH MEANING OF >YTzK< in >CAPS<
======== ==================================================
Ex09-33a CAST 4 gold rings
Lv08-12a POUR the oil..and SMEAR it*1
Ex09-33a and RAIN/DEW did not POUR to the ground*2
NOTES
=====
*1 The use of DOUBLE PARSHAS enables a more precise comparison
The text is speaking about the consecration of the temple
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lv08-10 He ANNOINTED(SMEARED) the temple
Lv08-11 He SPRINKLED the altar & ANNOINTED(SMEARED) it
Lv08-12 He POURED on Aarons & ANNOINTED(SMEARED) him
*a *b
--------------------------------------------------------------
*b So all objects received annointing (SMEARING with oil)
*a Certain objects also received an additional procedure
such as SPRINKLING or POURING. Rashi summarizes this by
stating that FIRST he POURED oil on Aarons head and then
he SMEARED the oil from his eyes outwards on his face.
Rav Hirsch gives symbolic meaning to these procedures
which we need not go into here.
*2 As we just indicated above the Hebrew verb >Yud-Tzaday-Kuf<
does not really mean POUR but rather refers to a viscous
pouring such as happens when CASTING a mold.
Hence Rashi cleverly points out that the translation
>And dew did not REACH the ground< is inadequate and
not focused. For >Yud-Tzaday-Kuf< never really meant
>REACH< but rather refers to any MOTION that looks like
the POURING motion involved in making a cast.
In this verse the >DEW< is seen as swirling to the ground
in a viscous slow manner. However when God eg sent a
strong wind then the dew could not even viscously get
to the ground---it was blown to sea. So the verse simply
says >..and even the dew did not viscously swirl to ground<
{END OF LIST}
RASHI RULE USED: UNIFIED MEANING
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex27-15a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex27-15a Ex25-05c
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: To Ron Mitnick for raising the question
OVERVIEW
========
---------------------------------------------------------------
The use of the definite article >THE< vs the indefinite article
>A< when speaking about a collection of objects is optional.
However the rules of style demand >CONSISTENCY<. If all items
in a list use >A< and one uses >THE< then clearly that item
is something well known and hence the definite article.
The creation of most temple items are introduced with an
indefinite article -- e.g. >And you will make AN ark<. However
the making of the wood boards is introduced with >THE< --
>And you will make THE wood boards<.
This is easily linked to Gn21-33 where it describes Abraham
planting trees for a model temple to convert people to
monotheism. This tradition of planting trees for the temple
was probably then continued by Isaac and Jacob so that the
Jews had wood boards in the wilderness.
---------------------------------------------------------------
SOME MORE DETAILS
=================
{LIST}
Here is a LIST of Temple items. The interpretation of the
LIST should be clear. For example the first row says that
Ex25-10 says that we should >make AN ark<. Thus the INDEFINITE
article >A< is used with the ARK. Only one item uses the
DEFINITE article, >THE<
==============================================================
TEMPLE OBJECT VERSE A-THE VERSE
============= ======= ===== ==================================
ARK Ex25-10 A Make AN Ark
ARK-COVER Ex25-17 A Make AN Ark-Cover
CERUBIM Ex25-18 A Make A set of 2 KERUVIM
TABLE Ex25-23 A Make A Table of wood
CANDELLABRAH Ex25-31 A Make A Menorah of pure gold
BOARDS Ex26-15 THE Make THE boards for the Temple of...
ARK-CURTAIN Ex26-31 A Make an ARK CURTAIN
ALTAR Ex27-01 THE Make THE altar of wood
TEMPLE Ex26-01 THE You will make THE Temple 10
{END OF LIST}
COMMENTS ON THE LIST ANOMALY
============================
The word >THE< is understandably used by the >TEMPLE< itself.
It is also used by the >ALTAR< which is the main temple
utensil
But clearly there is no reason to use >THE< only by the
temple boards. Why is >THE< used by the TEMPLE boards and
not, by say, the KERUVIM or ARK?
Clearly the >THE< in >THE BOARDS< refers to KNOWN BOARDS.
We therefore search thru Tenach for >THE BOARDS<--that is
we search for >BOARDS< connected with Temple service. The
search yields one verse: Gn21-33
---------------------------------------------------------
And Abraham planted a TREE orchard in Beer Shevah
and he called there in the name of God, Lord of the world
---------------------------------------------------------
The Hebrew word used is >EYSHEL<. There is controversy in
Midrash Rabbah in what exactly this word refers to: The
suggested translations are >LEISURE TREES<, >HOTELS,
>COURTS< etc. We have previously discussed this in
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn21-33a.htm.
I would unify all these explanations by suggesting that
Abraham planted a TREE ORCHARD and made sort of a model
temple--it had hotels, food, courts of law (to settle
disputes) and altars. Abraham used to call people there
to teach them monotheism and serve God.
This interpretation is consistent with the rich variety
of interpretations on this verse brought by the Midrash
Rabbah. It is then reasonable that Isaac and Jacob
continued their fathers tradition of planting trees for
the temple.
Finally, the above interpretation of Gn21-33 is consistent
with the surrounding chapters which consistently show
Abraham preparing for the future
{LIST}
LIST of chapters in Gn21 thru Gn24. It is suggested
that these Chapters show Abraham preparing for the
future of the Jewish people. In particular Gn21-22:34
shows Abraham preparing a Temple to call people to
God after establishing peace with the Philistines
============================================================
CHAPTER HOW ABRAHAM PREPARED JEWS FOR THE FUTURE
========== =================================================
Gn21-01:21 Separate Jews & Arabs for future nation
Gn21-22:34 Call people to God (=Altar)after Philistine peace
Gn22-01:24 The Sacrifice of Isaac and the temple mount
Gn23-01:20 The legal acquisition of Chevron
Gn24-01:67 Marriage of Isaac; separation from Canaanites
{END OF LIST}
COMMENT
=======
Ron cited to me the NETZIV who points out that the >THE<
in >THE BOARDS< could simply be referring to >THE BOARDS<
needed for the objects being discussed.
But such an observation does not have any bearing on Rashi.
For Rashis point was not grammatical--Rashi did
not say that >THE< always refers to something specific.
Rashi in fact accepts the NETZIVs principle and instead
makes a point of style. Rashi points out that ALL objects
in the Temple have a >A< except for the >BOARDS< and >ALTAR<
which have a >THE<. It is this inconsistent use of style
that motivates Rashis comment.
Rashi then points out that the >BOARDS< must have been
well known boards. An obvious candidate for these WELL KNOWN
BOARDS are the TREES that Abraham planted. We then see the
Midrash as pointing out the reasonable assumption that
Jacob carried on this tradition of Abraham.
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
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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