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VERSE: Lv23-42a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex12-19c Ex12-49a Lv23-42a Lv23-42b
=========== 4 Approaches to the following Rashi =================
------------------------------------------------------
Lv23-42 ALL CITIZENS IN ISRAEL WILL OBSERVE SUCCOTH
RASHI: ALL CITIZENS: These are the people, born Jews
RASHI: IN ISRAEL: These are the converts
------------------------------------------------------
How did Rashi infer this interpretation from the text?
We present 4 methods: The SIMPLE, BASIC, ADVANCED & PROFOUND
Footnotes further clarify the method of inference in each
approach
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to JOSEPH POLLACK of my Shomrey Emunah
congregation for asking me this Rashi; acknowledgement
to the 2 Nayr Yisrael Rabbinic Residents who helped in
the ensuing conversation.
We now present the 4 approaches to this Rashi. Footnotes
will clarify each method.
=================================================================
METHOD Explanation of Rashi on CITIZEN IN ISRAEL
======== ========================================================
SIMPLE Be picky on each word:CITIZEN=CITIZEN;IN ISRAEL=Convert
BASIC CITIZEN=CITIZEN vs CITIZEN IN ISRAEL=Converts & Citizen
ADVANCED Use an OTHER VERSE; NOTHING is learned from this verse
PROFOUND Comprehensive review of all verses with CITIZEN/CONVERT
NOTES
=====
*1 THE SIMPLE METHOD
The SIMPLE method has been advocated by many Rashi
commentators including recent ones like Dr Leibowitz
and Rabbi Dr Boncheck. It basically posits that since
EVERY WORD in the Torah is holy one can infer a law
from every word.
In fact we, on this email list, reject this rule.
The justification for learning a law is an anomaly in
a list. THE TORAH SPEAKS IN THE LANGUAGE OF MAN and
therefore certain phrases may use extra words. Only when
there is a deviation do we infer new laws
*2 THE BASIC METHOD
This method seeks to justify differences based on
LISTS. The typical verse in the Torah uses the word
CITIZEN. By contrast the phrase CITIZEN IN ISRAEL is
an anomaly. Hence we translate the phrases
--------------------------------------------------------
CITIZEN means Jew by birth
CITIZEN IN ISRAEL means Any Jew (convert/birth)
--------------------------------------------------------
We can however refute the BASIC METHOD by citing Nu15-29
to show that the phrase CITIZEN IN ISRAEL is not really
that peculiar. Hence we have no reason to justify attaching
special meaning to it. Therefore we must seek something
more basic
*3 ADVANCED METHOD
In the advanced method we seek guidance from OTHER VERSES
In fact Ex12-43:50 discusses the PASSOVER SACRIFICE. This
paragraph uses an EXAMPLE-GENERAL structure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ex12-48 EXAMPLE Converts can give sacrifice after they circumcise
Ex12-49 GENERAL One law applies equally to CONVERT and CITIZEN
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In other words the Torah first gives an EXAMPLE of where the
CONVERT and CITIZEN are equal--namely in the Passover
sacrifice. The Torah then states the principle GENERALLY--
all CONVERTS and CITIZENS have the same obligation.
The EXAMPLE-GENERAL and GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL structure
are two of the EXAMPLE methods of Rabbi Ishmael. These
styles require an interpretation of the Bible that
GENERALIZES the EXAMPLE to many settings. Hence we have
the Rashi on Ex12-49a
-------------------------------------------------------
ONE LAW TO CONVERT & CITIZEN: This law has just been
stated for the Passover sacrifice. Why was the equality
of Citizen and Convert repeated. It was repeated so that
we should generalize this idea of Citizen-Convert equality
to ALL commandments (not just in the PASSOVER LAMB)
-------------------------------------------------------
For other examples of the EXAMPLE-GENERAL and
GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL method see the following URLS:
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example7.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example8.htm
*4 PROFOUND METHOD
In the profound method we review ALL VERSES containing
the word CITIZEN. We thus find a GENERAL PATTERN that
CITIZEN and CONVERT are mentioned in many key
commandments where we would expect the law only to
apply to CITIZENS. Hence using the Rabbi Ishmael rule
of GENERALIZATION we infer that CITIZENS and CONVERTS
are equal in all aspects of the law. As a simple example
of this method we have the Rashi on Ex12-19c
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ex12-19 CITIZENS & CONVERTS SHOULDNT EAT BREAD ON PASSOVER
RASHI: Recall that Passover commemorates how God took US out
of Egypt. Hence I would logically argue that a convert has
nothing to commemorate and therefore the Passover laws should
not apply to him. Therefore the verse had to emphasize that
Passover must be observed by the convert
--------------------------------------------------------------
A remarkable complementary echo of this Rashi theme occurs
in the Rambam in the Laws of Slaves 8:11
--------------------------------------------------------------
..this slave is like a convert and therefore Scripture added
an extra prohibition against causing him anguish BECAUSE THE
CONVERTS PERSONALITY IS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF HIS STATUS
--------------------------------------------------------------
Please read the list below which documents ALL verses
with the word CITIZEN & CONVERT in the Torah and shows how
they follow this general theme.
Note, that it is the opinion of this email group that the
real learning of Rashi requires generalization to all other
cases
=================================================================
================== VERSES WITH CITIZEN & CONVERT ================
We find a GENERAL PATTERN that CITIZEN and CONVERT are
mentioned in many key commandments where we would expect
the law only to apply to CITIZENS. Hence using the Rabbi
Ishmael rule of GENERALIZATION we infer that CITIZENS and
CONVERTS are equal in all aspects of the law. As a simple
example of this method we have the Rashi on Ex12-19c
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ex12-19 CITIZENS & CONVERTS SHOULDNT EAT BREAD ON PASSOVER
RASHI: Recall that Passover commemorates how God took US out
of Egypt. I could logically argue that a convert has
nothing to commemorate and therefore the Passover laws should
not apply to him. Hence the verse had to emphasize that
Passover must be observed by the convert
--------------------------------------------------------------
A remarkable complementary echo of this Rashi theme occurs
in the Rambam in the Laws of Slaves 8:11
--------------------------------------------------------------
..this slave is like a convert and therefore Scripture added
an extra prohibition against causing him anguish BECAUSE THE
CONVERTS PERSONALITY IS VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF HIS STATUS
--------------------------------------------------------------
Please read the list below which documents ALL verses
with the word CITIZEN & CONVERT in the Torah and shows how
they follow these general themes in the Rambam and Rashi.
4 Reasons for explicitly including a convert in a
commandment are presented. They are elaborated on in the
footnotes.
Note, that it is the opinion of this email group that the
real learning of Rashi requires generalization to all other
cases
After reading this LIST we can easily answers Josephs question
on Lv23-42: Rashi was not learning anything from the verse;
nothing bothered him; nothing was peculiar. RATHER
RASHI ADVISED US THAT FROM A VARIETY OF OTHER VERSES WE
LEARN THAT ALL LAWS IN THE TORAH APPLY TO JEWS AND CONVERTS
===============================================================
VERSE WHY IS CONVERT MENTIONED IN THIS COMMANDMENT NOTE
======= ================================================ ====
Ex12-19 Passover commemorates OUR exodus from Egypt *1
Ex12-48 Passover commemorates OUR exodus from Egypt *1
Ex12-49 Passover commemorates OUR exodus from Egypt *1
Nu09-14 Passover commemorates OUR exodus from Egypt *1
Lv16-29 Yom Kippur atones for OUR sin of Golden calf *1
Lv23-42 Succoth commemorates OUR exodus from Egypt *1
Nu15-13 Nesachim atones for Sin of Spies *1
Lv19-34 Converts are more hurt when they are teased *2
Lv17-15 Unclean from eating Trayf--Converts use to do it *3
Nu15-29 Idolatry-Blasphemy------Big 3:Non Jews do it *4
Nu15-30 Idolatry-Blasphemy------Big 3:Non Jews do it *4
Lv24-16 Idolatry-Blasphemy------Big 3:Non Jews do it *4
Lv24-22 Murder-Torts------------Big 3:Non Jews do it *4
Lv18-26 Incest------------------Big 3:Non Jews do it *4
NOTES
=====
*1 This is the theme on Rashi Ex12-19c: I might think
commemorative holidays apply only to native born Jews
who personally experienced what they are commemorating.
Hence we are advised that these laws apply to converts
Note:the relationship between certain commandments and
commemoration may require novel commentaries. For
example it was Rav Hirsch that developed the idea that
the SACRIFICE LIBATIONS mentioned in Nu15 commemorate
and atone for the sin of the spies. See his commentary
Briefly speaking, Rav Hirsch suggests that the LIBATIONS
of FLOUR, OIL and WINE symbolically affirm that our
possessions (FLOUR, OIL) and happiness (WINE)
come from God. Not just the moral norms and our soul,
but our possessions also come from God. This atones
for the sin of the spies who claimed that God could
not give us Israel---God was only good for giving
the Law. Hence the Biblical chapter on libations
(Nu15) occur after the chapter of the sin of the spies(Nu13)
*2 This is the theme of the Rambam in Slaves 8:11
*3 This is my own idea (I cannot find a commentary
who says it, though it is hinted at in Rambam Sales
13). The argument is that since Non Jews were used
to eating Non Kosher and worshiping idols, therefore
the punishments for these sins on a convert may
be less due to mitigating circumstances. Therefore
the Torah emphasizes that once a person converts
he is TOTALLY equal to a Jew in punishment
irrespective of his past.
*4 We have the same theme here as in footnote #3:
Non-Jews may have been doing these sins
before they were converted and
hence the Torah must emphasize that they
are punished the same as native born Jews.
There are no grounds for clemency due to
past behavior.
Also note that the big 3 cardinal sins are
mentioned here corresponding to the basic
3 areas of commandments
----------------------------------------
* Murder----Crimes against other people
* Idolatry--Crimes against God
* Incest----Crimes against oneself
----------------------------------------
Thus the Torah carefully emphasized that
CONVERTS are equal to JEWS in ALL types
of commandments.
Note that the above 3 commandments are
precisely the commandments which require
martyrdom.
In passing the reason INCEST is a crime
against ONESELF is because the sexual
crimes by their nature create addiction
and compulsion and intefer with freedom
of choice--furthermore they are sins
even if there was consent and both
parties needed and benefited from it.
==============================================================
RASHI RULE USED: OTHER VERSES
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WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website
Volume 10 Number 6
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 10 Number 6