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VERSE: Nu23-07a

===================== Nu23-07a ==========================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Many Rashis simply focus on meaning and grammar.
Frequently however Rashi compares two almost identical
verses and compares nuances -- we call this the
ALIGNMENT METHOD

Nu23-07a has two parallel phrases
- Go curse for me JACOB
- Go curse ------ ISRAEL

By examining the differences in these two parallel
phrases we infer that the curse was to extend
to all aspects of the Jews--both the EXILIC
JEW (nicknamed JACOB in the poetic literature)
and the SUCCESSFUL JEW (called ISRAEL)
===================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ==========================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        ALIGNMENT
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      NUANCE
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #11
SEE BELOW                LIST307j
2 Verse halves           requesting curse of Jews
===================================================

============== LIST307j ====================

Alignment of the 2 halves of N23-07a.
============================================
VERSE    #1  #2    #3     #4
======== === ===== ====== ==================
Nu23-07a Go  curse for me Jacob
Nu23-07  Go  plot  ------ Israel
Differs  *1  *2    *3     *4

NOTES
-----
*1 The same

*2 Different words meaning curse. The
   nuances of these differences are not
   presently known to me

*3 Recall the difference of JACOB/ISRAEL
   - JACOB is  the exile  Jew*10
   - ISRAEL is  the successful Jew*4

   Hence when cursing the exile Jew you
   can curse them for eg servitude (Therefore
   we have the language: Curse for me Jacob)

*4 JACOB refers to JACOB while he was being
   used / exploited by Laban. Hence the
   name JACOB is the symbol of exile

   ISRAEL is the name given when Jacob
   successfully conquers an Angel. (Cf Gn32-29)
   Hence ISRAEL is a symbol of the successful
   Jew.

   Most people would explain the 2 names as follows
   ---------------------------------
   It is normal in poetry to repeat
   the same thing twice in 2 stanzas
   for purposes of effect
   ---------------------------------

   Rashi however states that
   ---------------------------------
   Bilam cursed them with 2 names--Jacob
   Israel--with the idea that perhaps
   one of the names has a defect which
   his curse can catch
   ---------------------------------

   Are these two different approaches?

   I would suggest that they are the same
   approach. Here is a combined explanation
   ----------------------------------
   It is normal in poetry to repeat
   the same thing twice in 2 stanzas
   for purposes of effect. The use
   of different names--each with its
   own nuances--creates a sort of
   overtone effect---the listener/reader
   is forced to be aware of ALL aspects
   of the item being discussed--this
   strongly reinforces the concept
   -----------------------------------

-------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES -----

*10 There are two ways to justify the equation
    - JACOB = exile JEW
    - ISRAEL = successful JEW

    METHOD 1 - EXPLICIT VERSES
    ---------------------------
    Use the explicit verse Gn32-29 that
    explains that ISRAEL refers to the
    SUCCESSFUL  JEW who has emerged
    victorious  in fights. By contrast then,
    Jacob must be the non-successful Jew
    This is easily seen consistent with
    Jacobs life (He was constantly persecuted
    by his Father-in-Law and wasnt allowed
    to hold a job (Cf Gn31-12 and Gn31-41))


    METHOD 2 - LISTS
    -----------------
    An alternate approach is  to list many verses
    with the words JACOB or ISRAEL and verify
    that JACOB occurs in exilic contexts while
    ISRAEL occurs in contexts of success. Such
    verses may be found in the  later prophets
    Since, however, this is not our main theme,
    we have not chosen this method here.

==================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 18 Number 9


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