13 Methods for inferring meaning:#23 of 32 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # June 22nd, 2001 # # Rashis 809-810 Of 7800 (10.4%) # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # ----------------------------- # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # # # ########################################################### GOALS: ------ I decided its time for a longer unit. This unit will focus on a major Rashi task--explaining the MEANINGS OF WORDS. Explaining the MEANINGS of WORDS is more than looking something up in a dictionary. There are METHODS to explaining WORDS. Thus in this module we will explore HOW Rashi determines the meanings of words -- that is, we will explore WHAT RASHIS METHODS ARE TODAYS UNIT ----------- In the next few days we review examples where using modern science helps us identify the precise nuances of what the Chumash is speaking about. REFERENCE: ---------- This module comes from the following reference in the Rashi-is-Simple series. http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt18-10b.htm #*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*# BACKGROUND ---------- Dt18-10:11 prohibit 8 cultic practices involving hypnotically induced trances enabling a disassociative state where one can utter future events or similar events. In each case we will see how knowledge of modern science enables a precise delineation of what the word in question means. The half a dozen examples in Dt18-10:11 occur in Rambam Laws of Idolatry Chapter 11. This gives an exciting opportunity to see how these two titans of Jewish law, Rashi on Dt18-10:11 and Rambam Idolatry Chapter 11, treat the same subject. And indeed we will see that sometimes Rambam gives more detail, sometimes Rashi gives more detail, sometimes they say the same thing and sometimes they complement each other EXAMPLE 61: Dt18-10c -- PROHIBITION OF MAGIC & ASTROLOGY -------------------- Rashi gives more detail than Rambam here. Both Rashi and Rambam mention the two possible derivations of the word ONAYN: * From AYN=EYE -- this would prohibit magic. cf The English SLEIGHT OF HAND. Performing magic is prohibited because you deceive the viewer into seeing things not there * FROM ONAH=TIME -- this would prohibit Astrology. That is, it would prohibit basing future actions on WHEN they were done (e.g. saying Friday the 13th is a bad day to perform certain actions). However Rashi identifies these two meanings as coming from two different authorities(Rabbi Akiva and the Sages) while Rambam simply lists the two prohibitions without stating the original controversy Thus Rashi presents more detail than Rambam. Note how modern science (or popular modern folklore) identifies MAGIC with VISUAL DECEPTION which helps us focus on the specific meaning of the verse. There are indeed many articles that discuss the prohibition of viewing Magic Shows. EXAMPLE 62: Ex18-11a -------------------- Rambam gives more detail than Rashi here. Rashi simply cites the Sifrah that a CHOVER IS SOMEONE WHO BRINGS ANIMALS TO ONE PLACE. Rambam gives more detail. The focal point is not WHAT the person does but HOW he does it. The Rambam explains that a CHOVER is a person who utters VERBAL SPELLS on animals to e.g. stop them from hurting people The root CHOVER means to SEW/WEAVE. Hence CHOVER would be a WEAVER OF SPELLS. Note that unlike the other crimes which involve induction of some type of trance the CHOVER simply utters spells without going into a trance. The Rambam also gives deails on the permissability of saying things for a person bitten by an animal. Again modern science helps us by explaining the idea of subliminal communication -- hints sent to the non-conscious mind which can affect the receiver. In fact there are laws in this country against using subliminal communications. Thus we gain insight into this Biblical prohibition of casting spells -- it is a prohibition of composing spells of nonsense syllables that have subliminal messages inside them which would affect the listener. Thus the Torah and modern law agree. #*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#