#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
  -----------------------------------------------------------
  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000                          |
  |       http://www.RashiYomi.Com                           |
  | PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
  ------------------------------------------------------------

VERSE: Nu35-33a



RULE: The Hebrew word Ch-N-F is like the concept FLATTERY.Thus
  the verse "..and the land flatters (Isa24-05)" means

  "It is LIKE flattery: The land produces lush grass but no wheat
  The land produces tall sturdy stalks--but nothing is inside them"

  This explicit Rashi occurs in Isa24-05
  but does NOT occur in Nu35-33!*1

  Note that the root Ch-N-F only occurs 26 times in the Bible
  So it is hard to pin down its meaning.




EXAMPLES
--------
--------------------------------------------------------------
 (1-3) In these verses Ch-N-F has its usual meaning of FLATTERY
--------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Dan11-32 Flatter with smooth words
(2) Prv11-9  With his mouth the flatterer destroys his friend
(3) Isa32-6  Speaks vulgarity,..ChNF,.speak to God estranged...



-----------------------------------------------------------
(4-6) In these verses Ch-N-F refers to how certain serious
      sins like MURDER and ADULTERY mean FLATTER*2
-----------------------------------------------------------
(4) Ps106-38 Flatter land by murder
(5) Nu35-33  The bloodshed flatters the land
(6) Jer3-1   Adultery Flatters the land



NOTES
-----
*1 Here are a collection of other interpretations of Ch-N-F
from other commentators (Cf Journal of Halacha and Contemporary
Society, Sp 99, Alfred Cohen Editor--not all sources are cited
in this article). Notice how Rashis Isiah explanation is the most
unifying explanation to all verses(This Rashi was not cited in
the article)

COMMENTATOR     EXPLANATION               VERSE
=============   ===============           ===========
Rav Yonah/RDQ   Verbal Flattery           Prv11-9
Cli Yakar       Bribes                    4-35-32:34
Maharshah       Equalization              4-35-32:34
Rashi           Wickedness                4-35-33
Rashi           Making things look better Isa24-5


*2 Recall that FLATTERY means making things appear better
than they are. Thus MURDERERS by "silencing" their victims
make things look good when they aren't. Similarly ADULTERERS
because of the emotions involved in intimacy make things appear
better than they are
---------------------------------------------------
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 2 Number 23


#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*