(c) Apr 18 2001 RashiYomi Inc. MY COLLECTED & INDEXED MAIL JEWISH POSTINGS-Ver #1
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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 22:44:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Some reflections on the Usages of Exact Counting

Reuven Rudman in v33n47 asks why I stated there were exactly 7800 Rashis
(Why not simply say there are about 7800 Rashis).

1st) I have rules for settling how to count these ambiguous rashis. Some
of these rules are being presented on my Rashi-is-Simple list.  Reuven
or anyone else is welcome to join my list and raise the issue

2nd) "Exact counting" happens to be an old tradition among Jewish sages.
In fact the Sages in Ezras time were called 'Counters (Sofrim)' because
they enumerated lists. The purpose of such enumerations was as a 'parity
check' to help preserve the Mesorah.

3rd) "Exact counting" besides preserving the Mesorah also helps to
establish 'standards and learning schedules'. In my RashiYomi Series I
criticize the Daf Yomi series for 'learning new material on Yom Tov and
Shabbath'. This is impractical. Shabbath and Yom Tom should be used for
review not new material (That was also the custom in olden times).

In fact using the 7800 exact count I arive at a very 'implementable'
Rashi learning schedule: 3 Rashis per weekday with 2 days off per week
when we learn 2 Rashis per day (Those into Running will recognize a
similarity to training schedules for races)). I give off all holidays.
But we will finish all Rashis WITH ALL PRINCIPLES in 10 years.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA;
Dept of Math Towson Univ
Moderator Rashi is SImple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/