The 4 Usages of PLEASE:#8 of 9
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NOTICE: GRAND SUMMARY TOMORROW
OVERVIEW:
========
RULE:
====
The Hebrew word NA is equivalant to the English word
PLEASE. There are 4 methods by which PLEASE is used.
TODAYS UNIT
===========
In todays unit we review examples where >PLEASE< refers to
a request that contradicts a previous behavior or action
or statement showing disinterest.
As a simple example: If I say a person is
miserly and then I request a loan then the word >PLEASE< denotes
asking for something that I had previously shown disinterest in.
Similarly if a person says he doesnt need money and then I say
>PLEASE< take this money, then the request contradicts his
previously made statement that he doesnt need money.
REFERENCE:
=========
This module comes from the following digest in the
Rashi-is-Simple series
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/nu10-31a.htm
The following references are a bit longer
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h4n12.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h4n14.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h2n12.htm
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
EXAMPLES
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EXAMPLE 20: Gn19-02b
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BACKGROUND
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Lot warmly greeted the visitors to Sedom and called them my
>LORDS<. He even invites them to this house. Nevertheless he
immediately turns around and says
VERSE
-----
>PLEASE come to my house steathily, the back way<*1
RASHI
-----
This >PLEASE< is a request in the presence of an initial
contradictory statement by the requestor. First Lot says
that these guests are my LORDS and then he turns around
and asks them to come the back way. Hence the word >PLEASE<
denotes a request (to come to Lots house steathily) that
contradicts a previously made statement (That Lot would
treat these guests like my LORDS)
Rashi explicitly connects the next two Rashis as being
of the same form!
EXAMPLE 21: Gn33-10b
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BACKGROUND
----------
After many years Jacob and Esauv reunite. Jacob is
apprehensive because he stole the blessings that
belonged to Esauv. But Esauv reassures him >My BROTHER,
Keep what is yours<. Jacob then requests...
THE VERSE
---------
>PLEASE nevertheless take my gift<
RASHI
-----
Even though you have forgiven my stealing the blessings
NEVERTHELESS please take this atonement gift anyway.*2
Thus the word >PLEASE< makes a request (to take the
gift) that contradicts a previously made statement (That
Esauv had forgiven Jacob)
EXAMPLE 22: Gn22-11a
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BACKGROUND
----------
Abraham was coming to Egypt. He was afraid of the reactions
of the Egyptians to an attractive woman. So he asked Sarah
to lie about their marital status.
THE VERSE
---------
>PLEASE...I know you are beautiful...but when the Egyptians
see you they will kill me and take you...PLEASE say you
are my sister in order that they give me presents and let
me live<
THE RASHI
---------
EVEN though I know you are my beautiful NEVERTHELESS let
us hide it by making believe you are my sister. Thus
the word >PLEASE< denotes a request that contradicts
a previously made statement (that she is beautiful)*3
------------------------NOTES---------------------------
*1 >Please come the back way to my house--since if you go
by the main streets you will be seen by the Sedomites
who will take actions against you since they abhor
hospitality<
Rashi learned this interpretation from the prepositions
used. >DEPART FROM< means to >LEAVE<. By contrast
>DEPART TO< means to >GO STEATHILY<. Here are some
supporting verses from a LIST of half a dozen verses
in the main posting
The phrase "LEAVE FROM" means to abandon
(Eg Nu16-26,Ps6-9, Ps139-19, 1Sam15-6). By contrast
the phrase "LEAVE TO" means to go steathily
(Eg Jud4-18, Nu19-02).
*2 Rashi explicitly states this. Rashi also gives a reason
why Jacob compared Esauv to an angel (After all isnt
it enough he said PLEASE to him).
Rashi explains that by comparing Esauv to an Angel Jacob
implied that he frequently saw Angels; hence Esauv would
be afraid to start up with him.
Hence there are two distinct components to Rashi
--the explanation of the word >PLEASE<
--the explanation of why Jacob compared Esauv to an Angel
*3 There are two distinct components to Rashi
---an explanation of >PLEASE I know you are beautiful<
---an explanation of >PLEASE say you are my sister<
After all there were many ways to cover up their
marriage. By claiming that Sarah was his sister
Abraham >ALSO< received many gifts (since people
tried to woo Abraham to get his sister)
In other words there were 2 favors Abraham asks
--cover up our marriage(so I wont get killed)
--claim you are my sister(so I will get gifts)
Hence there are two >PLEASES<
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