VERSE: Nu26-54a
============================ Nu26-54a =========================
SUCCINCT SUMMARY:
-----------------
One of Rashis 10 major goals is to illustrate complex
geometric designs or algebraic complications. This is
called the Rashi method of SPREADSHEETS, since
SPREADSHEETS are one method of clarifying a complex
relationship. The SPREADSHEET method can refer to
any illustration of a verse that clarifies it.
EXAMPLE Nu26-54a
----------------
Nu26-53:56 states
------------------------------
* To these the land shall be divided for an
inheritance according to the number of names.
* To the more numerous you shall give a larger
inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give
a smaller inheritance;
* to every one shall his inheritance be given
according to those who were counted by him.
------------------------------
Rashi clarifies the division procedure with principles
* PER PERSON vs PER TRIBE: E.g. a tribe with twice
as many people gets twice as many land (Per person)
* PER DOLLAR vs PER AREA: Tribes of equal numbers
received plots of land of equal value even though
the areas differed (PER DOLLAR)
LIST690a below presents many Rashis based on SPREADSHEETS.
SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of
meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning.
We call this the Rashi method of WORD MEANING.
Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain words.
Rashi frequently explains not, word meaning, but rather
phrase meaning. That is each particular word in the
phrase may have a known meaning but the collection of
words together form a NEW IDIOMATIC MEANING.
We call this the NEW MEANING or the IDIOM SUBMETHOD.
EXAMPLE Nu26-54a
----------------
The verse Nu26-55 states
---------------------------------------
The land of Israel is divided according
to the MOUTH OF THE LOTTERY
---------------------------------------
Rashi explains MOUTH OF LOTTERY as an IDIOM
meaning a lottery box which is almost totally
covered except for a small mouth---hence the
selector cannot even see the back of cards when
they reach in. Consequently the MOUTH LOTTERY
is very secure and fair.
LIST854x below presents other examples of Biblical idioms.
==================================================================
ITEM DETAIL
======================== =========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS: SPREADSHEETS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS ALGEBRA
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #30
SEE BELOW LIST690a
List of Rashis using Spreadsheets/Algebra
--------------------- --------------------------------------
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS NEW MEANINGS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW LIST854x
List of Biblical idioms(eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY)
==================================================================
==================== LIST690a ==================================
List of Rashis using Spreadsheets/Algebra
================================================================
VERSE Item Spreadsheet is used for
============ ==================================================
nu26-54a.htm Israel divided a)Per PERSON b) Per DOLLAR of land
nu21-13b.htm Illustrate complex geometric border design
nu13-22b.htm Israel is superior of all lands
gn49-26d.htm your fathers blessings greater than my fathers
dt21-17a.htm How to give 1st-born double *1
ex38-24b.htm Computation of relative value of Biblical currency
nu03-39b.htm Accounting of Levite children
nu31-26a.htm Division of booty in war
gn05-32b.htm Computation of relative ages of Noachs children
gn25-20a.htm Proof that Rivkah was 15 when she married Isaac
NOTES
-----
*1 Many people are familiar with the concept of the
FORMULA PLUG IN. That is a problem is solved by a
formula which you plug into.
But some problems intrinsically cannot (initally)
be solved by a formula. Instead you have to
formulate the problem algebraically and solve;only
then do you have the formula.
In other words these problems are solved by
the EQUATION vs the FORMULA
Thus the statement that the eldest gets double
suggests the following model.
- Suppose the are B brothers
- Suppose 1 of them is eldest
- The Fathers total assets are T (Total)
- Let A be the amount each brother inherits
We have no formula for A
- Then each of the B-1 brothers obtains A
- The eldest obtains double, 2A.
- Together this exhausts the Fathers estate, T
Hence we have (B-1)A + 2A = (B+1)A = T
This gives rise to the formula A = T / (B+1)
An example is a father with 100,000 and 4 children
- T=100,000
- B=4
- So each child take T/(B+1) = 100000/5 = 20,000
- Eldest takes 2*20000=40000
- Other 3 take 20000
- Total distribution =3*20000+40000=100000
See Rambam Inheritance Chapter 2
================================================================
======================= LIST854x ================================
List of Biblical idioms..eg FROM DAYS DAYS=YEARLY
LIST854x continues LIST854d LIST854z LIST854y
=================================================================
VERSE BIBLICAL PHRASE TRANSLATION NOTES
======== ======================= ===================== ==========
Nu26-54a MOUTH OF LOTTERY Closed Jar Lottery *3
Nu21-20c HEAD OF THE CLIFF TOP of the CLIFF *2
Nu13-20b DAYS OF GRAPE 1st FRUIT GRAPE HARVEST SEASON
Nu13-32a Land EATS INHABITANTS PLAGUE RIDDEN LAND
Lv25-23b Dont STICK THE SALE Dont sell PERMANANTLY No redeem
Lv26-17a PLACE FACE*1 Total attention/focus to punish
Lv13-12a HEAD to FOOT Whole body
Gn37-26b COVER BLOOD conceal MURDER
NOTES
-----
*1 Rashi, Lv26-17h points out that the phrase
-------------
PLACE MY FACE
-------------
means
--------------
FULL ATTENTION
--------------
whether
- for good, to reward
- for bad, to punish.
*2 NOTE: The Hebrew word HEAD can mean both
- BEGINNING
- TOP
However in this verse
- the HEAD OF THE CLIFF contrasts with
- the VALLEY in MOAB
Hence HEAD means TOP
*3 A MOUTH LOTTERY refers to a lottery where you stick your
hand in and select an item WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE THE
ITEMS (In an open-box lottery you can see what you are
picking even though you see backs of cards. In a MOUTH
LOTTERY the box is covered except for a small MOUTH).
The MOUTH LOTTERY is more secure and fairer.
Hence the Rashi
The name MOUTH LOTTERY is because the box has only
a small mouth preventing you from seeing what is
inside.
---------------------------------------------------
MOUTH LOTTERY means that the LOTTERY speaks and says
this belongs to so and so
---------------------------------------------------
Of course, Rashi did not believe that LOTTERIES speak.
Rather Rashi refers to the SECURITY and FAIRNESS of
the lottery. In other words
- MOUTH LOTTERY refers to a small MOUTH on LOTTERY box
(not to a physical voice on the box)
- Since the MOUTH LOTTERY is secure it is AS IF it
screams and points to a correct fair choice
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Volume 26 Number 17