#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President |
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VERSE: Lv03-01a
RASHIS COVERED: Lv03-01a Lv02-01a
=================== SHLAMIM means PEACE =========================
BACKGROUND
----------
Lv01 thru Lv08 discusses the sacrifices that Jews were obligated
or volunteered to give either as individuals or as a community.
For each sacrifice the Bible indicates
-- WHO must/may bring it
-- HOW it is offered
------ how is the BLOOD placed on altar
------ what is done with the animal or plant parts offered
-- WHEN is it brought; for what purposes
A majority of Rashis on sacrifices use the powerful method of
DOUBLE PARSHAS by which we extract nuances by comparing
similar paragraphs
TODAYS TOPIC
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The NAMES of the Sacrifices
THE RASHI
---------
Rashi specifically comments on the meaning of the SHLAMIM
name. But the approach of this email group is that to properly
understand Rashi we must REVIEW all sacrifice names.
THE LIST
--------
The list below revus names of all sacrifices and gives the
reason for this name. In each case the reason is connected
with something unique to that offering.
=================================================================
OFFERING TEXT MEANING OF ROOT Why?THis is only offering...
======== ======= =============== ================================
OLAH Lv01-03 Go up The WHOLE animal is offered*1
MINCHAH Lv02 RestFul Offerings symbolizes saiety*2
SHLAMIM Lv03*3 Peace;complete Brought on salvation from danger
CHATHATH Lv04 Sin*4 Brought for sin
ASHAM Lv05 Guilt*5 brought for sins of regret/guilt
NOTES
-----
*1 The animal was TOTALLY consumed on altar fires.By contrast
In other offerings certain PEOPLE had rights to eat part
of the offering.*10
*2 The Minchah offering is a PLANT offering consisting of
FLOUR, OIL and INCENSE. The Minchah is baked as Matzoh &
offered. Traditionally Matzoh-bread symbolizes saiety: e.g.
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Ps104-15 wine GLADDENS the heart; oil BRIGHTENS the face
bread SATISFIES (provides a foundation)
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Furthermore the Minchah offering is introduced with the words
WHEN A TRANQUIL SOUL OFFERS *11 showing an emphasis on
tranquility and peace.
*3 SHALOM means PEACE and COMPLETE. Rashis almost exact words:
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-Shlamim were brought when a person is SAVED FROM DANGER
(lv07-11:13); this would connect with the meaning of PEACE
-Shlamim are the only offering where the owner, priest
and altar all eat something (in other sacrifices
only the altar and priest receive or only the altar).
Thus the offering is COMPLETE (involves all parties)
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There is no need to see this as a controversy. Quite simply
the name can be a double pun on its many unique properties.
*4 The sin offering is clearly brought when a person sins.
This is stated explicitly at Lv04-02,13,22,27
*5 GUILT offerings are, like the sin offerings, brought
for sin. But GUILT offerings are brought for sins between
MAN and MAN(While SIN offerings are brought for sins that
dont necessarily affect people like eg descecrating the
Sabbath). Apparently, you feel more GUILTY if you sin
against your fellow man*12
------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ----------------------------
*10 Here are textual supports that people may eat in all
offerings EXCEPT the olah--Hence the name OLAH=UP--it
is the only sacrifice where everything went UP to God
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SACRIFICE VERSE SHOWING THAT PEOPLE EAT IT
------------ -------------------------------------------
Minchah Lv07-09:10
Chatath Lv06-22:23
ASHAM Lv07-07
Shlamim Lv07-15,32
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*11 Here are the introductions to the various sacrifices
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SACRIFICE VERSE TEXT
--------------- -------- -------------------------------
OLAH Lv01-02 When a HUMAN offers
MINCHAH Lv02-01a When a TRANQUIL SOUL offers
Shlamim Lv03-01 If a Shlamim is offered
Sin Lv04-27 When a TRANQUIL SOUL sins
Guilt Lv05-01 When a TRANQUIL SOUL
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Rashi makes the comment
----------------------------------------------------
Minchah is the only voluntary sacrifice that begins
WHEN A TRANQUIL SOUL.
----------------------------------------------------
But as can be seen from the above list, 3 of the
5 sacrifice types begin that way(The sin offerings however
are obligatory not voluntary. But this distinction doesnt
explain the usage of NEFESH (SOUL) vs PERSON).
Here is the explanation.
First we have explained that NEFESH refers to the
EXPANSIVE QUALITY of DESIRE; hence it refers to the
SOUL, DESIRE, REST etc. See our discussion of this word
at http://www.RashiYomi.com/nefesh-7.htm
Next: It would seem that the 2 sin-type offerings--the
SIN and GUILT offering-- happen because a person tries to
EXPAND themselves where they shouldnt. Thus the word
NEFESH here means TO EXPAND (illegally)
Finally: The use of the word NEFESH by Minchah would refer
to tranquility and restfullness.
-----------------------------------
When a SOUL FEELS RESTED
and offers the RESTFULNESS offering
-----------------------------------
In summary: The word NEFESH has 2 uses in the sacrifices.
By the sin offerings it refers to unwarranted expansiveness
By the Minchah offering it refers to restfullness.
Finally we have to explain Rashis explanation
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Who usually offers a Minchah? The poor person.
I, God, account it as if he offers his SOUL
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The reason I reject the literal interpretation of Rashi
is because
-- contrary to Rashis statement there are other sacrifices
that use the word NEFESH
-- contrary to Rashis statement SOUL is the SUBJECT not
the OBJECT of the sentence (Not WHEN A SOUL IS OFFERED
but WHEN A SOUL OFFERS)
I think the simplest approach is to explain that Minchah
is brought when a person feels rested and tranquil.
But the poor person HARDLY ever feels that way.
Consequently when the poor person, who for the first time
in many years, experiences tranquility and nevertheless,
thinks of God it is as if he offered ALL HIS TRANQUILITY
to God. This contrasts with the Rich person who
frequently feels happy and offers Minchahs only on
special occasions.
In final summary:
-- Nefesh means EXPAND and RESTED (and soul)
-- It occurs by 3 of the 5 sacrifices
-- It appears to refer to ILLEGAL expansion by the
sin offerings
-- it appears to refer to thanksgiving for
tranquility in the minchah
-- THis is especially noteworthy in the poor person
who hardly ever feels restful
*12 Guilt offerings are brought for
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False witnessing Lv05-02
Theft or denial Lv05-21
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There are various types of circumstances needed
(such as taking an oath). Guilt Offerings are also
brought for descecration of the temple objects..
Perhaps a more precise formulation (instead of man-man
sins) would be SINS OF PROPERTY whether thru denial
of testimony, theft, witholding or sinning against
temple property.
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RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
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Volume 13 Number 12
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 13 Number 12