#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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VERSE: Nu28-19a
RASHIS COVERD: Nu28-19a Nu28-19b Nu28-19c
======================= ANIMAL SYMBOLISM =======================
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
Certain Biblical words have known symbolic meaning. The most
famous example are the animals which can equally refer to
physical animals or to human personality types. The famous Gn49
-- which inspired Chagalls windows -- describes the BRAVERY
of Judah with the word LION, the HARD WORK of Yissachar with
the word MULE, the grace of Naftali with the word GAZELLE. The
3 major animals brought for sacrifices have the following
symbolism: The OX symbolizes someone who works HARD FOR GOD.
The RAM sybolizes someone who LEADS the community. The SHEEP
symbolizes someone who is proud to FOLLOW the leaders.
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TODAYS RASHI RULE: ADVANCED METHODS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: SYMBOLISM
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BRIED DESCRIPTION OF RULE and SUBRULE
-------------------------------------
Certain Rashi rules are almost mechanical. For example
the RASHI RULE OF REPETITION states that eg if a name
is repeated it may indicate ENDEARMENT--someone you are
familiar with.
One can easily learn this rule, practice it, and then
apply it when a Biblical verse repeats a name
(eg the Biblical verse ABRAHAM ABRAHAM-
teaches that God liked ABRAHAM)
By contrast certain rules are broad and complex--requiring
a comprehensive analysis and awareness of many items in
a Biblical chapter.
One such complex rule is the SYMBOLISM rule. SYMBOLISM asserts
that a Biblical chapter or verse does not mean what it says it
means, but rather means something else--someething symbolic.
To apply the symbolism rule you must know
-- WHEN a symbolic interpretation is REQUIRED
-- how to PROPERLY SYMBOLICALLY interpret the Biblical item
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
The standard reference for this rule occurs at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/gen-1.htm
Although this essay contains other items it is a very
good and brief summary of symbolism.
This article appears in the Journal BOR HATORAH, Vol 13E
in the last half of 2002. It contains a brief but
comprehensive and succinct account of Rav Hirschs definitive
approach to symbolism as outlined in his 100 page essay
GUIDELINES TO A JEWISH SYMBOLISM. This fundamental essay is
-- reprinted in Timeless Torah by J Breuer
-- occurs in Rav Hirschs collected writings put out by Feldheim
-- is succinctly summarized in the above mentioned essay
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The standard and simplest example for Biblical symbolism
is Gn49. There the BRAVE JUDAH is called a a LION,
the HARD WORKING YISSACHAR is called a MULE etc
SUGGESTED EXERCISES
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Symbolic methods are advanced. They in general cannot
be taught at the elementary school level. However GIVEN that
a passage is symbolic a teacher and student can explore WHAT
each term means. In todays list we explore the symbolic
meaning of OX, RAM and LAMB in the sacrifices. Thus a suggested
exercise for students is
-- Look up verses and/or sacrifices involving OX, RAM,LAMB
-- What are the properties these animals are known for
-- What TYPES of people must use certain animals
-- Based on the above lists try and ascertain the symbolism
of these animals.
TODAYS LIST
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Here is a sample list of verses on OX RAM SHEEP. Some of the
verses deal with the animals directly.Some of the verses deal
with WHICH ANIMALS symbolize WHICH OFFERERS. Both approaches
enrich our conception that
- OX = WORKS HARD FOR GOD
- RAM= LEADS THE FLOCK
- LAMB=A FOLLOWER
As mentioned this analysis was originally done by Rav Hirsch
=================================================================
VERSE ANIML TEXT OF VERSE SaOWING SYMBOLISM OF ox,ram,lamb
========= ===== =================================================
Pr14-04 OX A big harvest from the STRENGTH OF THE OX *1
Lv04-03 OX Sin offering of Priest *1
Lv08-14 OX Sin offering of Priest (Consecration) *1
Lv16-06 OX Sin offering of Priest (Yom Kippur) *1
------- ----- -------------------------------------------------
Ex29-31 RAM Consecration offering of Priest *2
Ez31-11 RAM I-ll deliver Pharoh into the RAMS of the nations
Ps114-06 RAM The MOUNTAIN(Nations) will dance like RAMS*3 *2
--------- ----- -------------------------------------------------
Ps114-06 SHEEP The HILL (Nations) [will dance] like LAMBS*3
Is53-07 SHEEP Like a LAMB to the slaughter
Ps119-176 SHEEP I have gotten lost: Seek me like SHEEP
Ps95-07 SHEEP He is our God; we are the SHEEP of his flock *3
Ps100-03 SHEEP God is our Lord and we are the SHEEP of his flock
Ps79-13 SHEEP We are his nation --- the SHEEP of his flock
NOTES
-----
*1 These verses either
- show that OXEN are known for their hard work or
- show OXEN symbolize people like the HIGH PRIEST who work
hard in Gods field to till the soil for Gods people
*2 These verses show that the RAM symbolizes the leader
Such a symbolism is consistent with the animal function of
Rams. Particularly note the contrast in Ps114-06
------------------------------------
MOUNTAIN NATIONS ...dance like RAMS
HILL NATIONS ......dance like SHEEP
------------------------------------
Such contrasting verses clearly identify the RAMS
vs SHEEP as LEADERS.
Note that in the sacrifices the HIGH PRIEST is known BOTH
-- as a LEADER of other priests
-- as SOMEONE who WORKS HARD in GODS FIELD
These two symbolisms complement each other.
*3 Thus these verses show that SHEEP symbolize the FOLLOWER
Note the frequent reference to the typical Jew as GODS SHEEP
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RASHI RULE USED: SYMBOLISM
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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 14 Number 14
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 14 Number 14