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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2001
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 9 Number 8
Produced Feb 19, 2001
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
NEW NEW
NEW Dr Boncheck Meets Dr Hendel NEW
NEW NEW
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
Dr Boncheck Series
==================
Lv16-02c
Rabbi Dr Boncheck visited the states this week. He
spoke at Shomrey Emunah. He gave me his blessings
to print my disagreements with him. He also made
numerous comments. I will be listing a few of them
in each of the next few issues. In this issue
I explain simply a Rashi that Dr Boncheck found difficult
In passing Rabbi Dr Boncheck chuckled most at the
following statement of mine: >Rabbi Boncheck when people
ask me the difference between me and you I tell them
that you write a book and it is hard to correct mistakes;
by contrast I run a website so it is easy to correct
mistakes daily<
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
=====================
Ex20-20a
Did you know that there is an explict source for
the famous midrash:even the bondmaids at Sinai
saw visions of 4 terror beasts like Ezekiel
Read this Rashi to find the explicit source
For more Rashis on this weeks Parshah visit
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/parshah.htm
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== ===================================
Ex20-20a DOUBLE PARSHAS 3 idol prohibitions:animal,sun,cerubim
Ex20-20b DOUBLE PARSHAS 3 idol prohibitions:animal,sun,cerubim
Ex20-20c DOUBLE PARSHAS 3 idol prohibitions:animal,sun,cerubim
Ex20-20d DOUBLE PARSHAS 3 idol prohibitions:animal,sun,cerubim
Lv16-02a OVERALL STRUCTR Lv16tells WHEN Aron may enter the temple
Lv16-02c OVERALL STRUCTR Lv16tells WHEN Aron may enter the temple
Lv16-03b OVERALL STRUCTR Lv16tells WHEN Aron may enter the temple
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
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: Ex20-20a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex20-20a Ex20-20b Ex20-20c Ex20-20d
DOUBLE PARSHAS #1
=================
These Rashis introduce two new prohibitions both of which
can be inferred by the method of DOUBLE PARSHAS.
{LIST}
--------------------------------------------
--Dont make with ME (other gods)
--Dont make for YOURSELVES
*1
--------------------------------------------
*1 So Rashi is Simple. The double prohibition >WITH ME< vs
>FOR YOURSELVES< suggests that there are two prohibitions
--a prohibition against making deities in the Temple
(eg deifying the cheruvim)
--a prohibition against making deities in your synagogues
{END OF LIST}
DOUBLE PARSHAS #2
=================
The next prohibition in the verse can be inferred by
reviewing several verses prohibiting idolatry.
{LIST}
Idolatry prohibitions of making idol images of
======================================================
PROHIBITED IMAGE EXAMPLE VERSES
================ ===================== ============
EARTHLY images animals Dt04-15:19*1
HEAVENLY bodies sun etc Dt05-06:09
SPIRITUAL bodies cerubim,fire beasts Ex20-20
NOTES
=====
*1 By way of emphasis note how Dt04-15:19 prohibits
making images of EARTHLY objects. It does not
prohibit images of HEAVENLY objects--it only
prohibits worshipping them. The prohibition of
making images of spiritual objects is contained
in Dt05.
{END OF LIST}
Rashi can better be understood with the principle of
OVERALL STRUCTURE--the chapter as a whole says
>And God said..tell the Jews ..they have seen how I
spoke to them from heaven (therefore) dont make images
of heavenly items<
Let me put it another way. Without the LIST, Ex20-20
is simply prohibiting making idols. But in the CONTEXT
of the LIST, Ex20-20 joins Dt04 and Dt05 in prohibiting
idols. One verse prohibits animal idols, another
prohibits heavenly idols and a 3rd prohibits spiritual idols.
It is thus the CONTEXT of the list that creates the details.
The actual verse, Ex20-20 which simply says >Dont make with
me silver or gold gods< could be interpreted either way(as
a GENERAL prohibtion or as a specific prohibtion of the
gold gods (cerubim) that are with me in the temple) It is
the context that determines the meaning.
FURTHER COMMENTS ON RASHI
=========================
(1) Rashi prohibits all spiritual gods not just the cerubim
===========================================================
The way we have taken the above Rashi is broad and rich, not
focused on details. Rashi literally says as follows
>DONT MAKE WITH ME GODS OF SILVER:
RASHI: Dont make extra Cheruvim<
It appears as if Rashis comment is focused on one particular
item--the cheruvim. However the way we have taken it, the
cheruvim, are just a good typical example. The verse is
really prohibiting the deification of all Spiritual items--
the cheruvim are but one example. The justification for
this approach comes from the above LIST and the emphasis
of the verse >Dont make gold gods WITH ME<
(2) Rashi prohibits making images like the beasts of Ezekiel
============================================================
On the words >Dont make with me gods of gold< Rashi says
>RASHI: Dont make 4 ceruvim<
In other words we should not make graven images of the 4
fire beasts that Ezekiel saw for this would be idolizing
the fire beasts, a heavenly entity.
Thus we have that Rashi prohibits making Ceruvim OR making
fire beasts. In short Rashi prohibits making any spiritual
entity.
(3) Ex20-20b and Ex20-20c should be read together
=================================================
Rashi appears to say on Ex20-20b that if one makes the
2 temple ceruvim of gold vs silver then one has in effect
violated the prohibition of idolatry.
But this is absurd. There is no early commentator that holds
that making the temple ceruvim of silver vs gold is a violation
of idolatry. Indeed, no one (including Rashi) would hold that
you must bring a sin offering for such an activity.
Rather I interpret the Rashi on Ex20-20b the same way as I
interpret the Rashi on Ex20-20c. The Rashi on Ex20-20c
prohibits making 2 extra golden ceruvim (a total of 4) in order
to sybmolize the 4 terror beasts of Ezekiel.
I interpret Ex20-20b in a similar manner. It is prohibited
to ADDITIONALLY make 2 silver kerubim which one adds to the
2 gold kerubim in order to symbolize the 4 terror beasts
of Ezekiel (So 2 of the terror beasts--the lion and
eagle--would move swiftly (like glittering gold) while
the other 2 of the fire beasts--man and the ox--would
move slower (like silver vs gold)).
In other words both Ex20-20b and Ex20-20c prohibit making
symbols of the 4 fire beasts on Ezekiel IN ANY MANNER.
(4) Ex20-20a Confirms our 3 fold approach to idolatry
=====================================================
Rashi says >Dont make images of heavenly beings<. This
confirms our 3 fold approach of idols of (a) physical
beings (b) heavenly objects (like sun moon ..) (c)
spiritual heavenly beings (like Ezekiels fire beasts).
(5) A source for the Midrash that the Jews saw Ezekiels visions
===============================================================
Finally we note that this Rashi is a source of the famous
midrash that >The fire visions that Ezekiel saw were seen even
by handmaids at Sinai<.
Indeed that is what this set of verses says (Ex20-19:20)
>God said: You have seen that I spoke to you from Heaven
(in the appearance of the 4 fire beasts)---(and therefore)
do not make images of fire beasts with me<
This is exactly the Rashi on Ex20-20c that we should not
make images like the 4.
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Lv16-02a
RASHIS COVERED: Lv16-02a Lv16-02c Lv16-03b
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
===============
Rabbi Dr Boncheck delivered a speech about Lv16-02c.He introduced
a speech by saying >This Rashi is so complicated that even I
dont remember it without referring to my book<. We show below
an alternative elegant simple interpretation of Rashi.
RULE
====
The simple meaning of the text is determined by OVERALL STRUCTURE
For example, The sentence >PICK UP THE MILK< means
(i) >BUY MILK<, to a person going to a grocery store
(ii) >MOP UP THE MILK<, to a person who spilled milk
(iii) >BRING MILK TO THE TABLE<, to a person at the frigidaire
APPLICATIONS
============
Example 1 Lv16-02a
=========
Lv16-01 says >God spoke to Moses after the 2 sons of Aaron died<
Lv16-02 says>Aaron shouldnt come to the inner temple lest he die<
The above two verses are sentences in a paragraph. All sentences
in a good paragraph should link to the topic sentence by known
methods. In this case Lv16-02 states that if Aaron came wantonly
to the inner temple then he would incur a death penalty. In
support of this prohibition Lv16-01 mentions that Aarons two
sons died by offering sacrifices they were not authorized to
offer. Thus Lv16-01 is a supportive precedent for Lv16-02.
Example 2: Lv16-02c
=========
Lv16-02 says>Aaron shouldnt come to the inner temple lest he die
EXCEPT when I appear in the cloud <
First things first:The Hebrew word >KI< in Lv16-02 means >RATHER<
and denotes an exception. See the following for a complete
summary: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ki-11.htm (RabbiDr Boncheck got
into trouble on this verse because he momentarily forgot that
>KI< means >RATHER<. Once we interpret it this way all problems
vanish).
Next we speak about the overall structure of the paragraph:
The paragraph opens by mentioning a death penalty for wantonly
entering the inner temple. It then turns around and gives an
exception--a time when you can enter the temple!
Finally we deal with the mysterious phrase that Aaron can
enter the temple when >God appears in a cloud<.
Clearly IN THE CONTEXT of the whole paragraph which is speaking
about the service for the day of atonement, Lv16-02 should
clearly be interpreted as
--------------------------------------------------------
>Aaron may not come to the inner
temple EXCEPT when he brings the KETORETH CLOUD as prescribed
in Lv16-13<.
---------------------------------------------------------
In fact Lv16-13 explicitly says this using identical words
------------------------------------------------------------
>and the CLOUD of the Ketoreth will cover the Caporeth which
covers the Tablets of the 10 commandments and Aaron wont
die<.
------------------------------------------------------------
Thus Lv16-13 echoes exactly Lv16-02. (For an account of Rashis
2 explanations of midrash vs simple meaning see footnote
*1 below).
EXAMPLE 3: Lv16-03b
=========
Lv16-02 says >Aaron should not come any time to the inner temple<
Lv16-02 continues >EXCEPT when he brings the Ketoreth cloud<
Lv16-03 says >Aaron can come with a bullock....<
Lv16-29 says >on the 10th of Tishrey youll do this procedure<
Lv16-34 says >this will be a statue--once a year do this..<
Taken all together the paragraph says that
---In GENERAL Aaron cant come into the inner temple
---However he may come into the inner temple on Yom Kippur
-----provided he does all the procedures including
-----bringing a bullock
-----bringing the ketoreth cloud
Note how both Lv16-03b and Lv16-02c both say the same thing:
An exception can be made to the prohibtion of coming into the
inner temple on Yom Kippur. Again, this is the principle
of OVERALL STRUCTURE.
NOTES
=====
*1 Notice Rashis insightful comment on the difference between
>SIMPLE> vs >MIDRASHIC< meaning. Rashi uses the word >MIDRASHIC<
meaning to refer to the >SIMPLE< meaning of the verse IN CONTEXT.
>PICK UP THE MILK< means >go to the supermarket< or >clean up
the mess< depending on the rest of the paragraph!!! Similarly
>Dont come to the inner temple except when I appear in a cloud<
means >the cloud of ketoreth< vs >the clouds of glory<
depending on the rest of the chapter.
Just as Rashi uses the word >MIDRASHIC< to refer to >SIMPLE<
meaning so too Rashi uses the word >SIMPLE< to refer to the
>MEANING OF A SIMPLETON< who reads without context.
Clearly the phrase >In a cloud I, God, will appear< seems to
remind one of the cloud of Glory with which God appeared to
the Jews in their travels thru the wilderness (cf Ex13-21:22)
This is how the simpleton would interpret this verse.
In summary: To the simpleton who takes the verse out of context
Rashi explains the verse that God appears to the Jews in a
cloud as it says in Ex13-21. However the simple meaning of the
text, which requires reading all phrases in context, declares
that the >cloud by which God appears and saves Aaron from
death< mentioned in verse Lv16-02 is the same cloud which
save Aaron from death in Lv16-13
I believe this successfully refutes Rabbi Dr Bonchecks elaborate
explanation and reestablishes that Rashi is Simple.
RASHI RULE USED: OVERALL STRUCTURE
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*