The 6 usages of the word >THE<:#35 of 35 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Apr 22, 2001 # # Rashis 714-714 Of 7800 (9.1%) # # # # VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES # # ----------------------------- # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # # # ########################################################### -GRAND SUMMARY OF THE 6 USAGES OF THE WORD THE- =======The word THE can have the following meanings============= These are the 6 basic usages of the word THE. Each usage is illustrated with an example. Further LISTS of examples are presented below. ================================================================ THE CAN MEAN VERSE TEXT OF VERSE The Verse means ============= ======== =================== =================== A proper noun Ex23-16c THE HARVEST holiday Succoth*1 Pointing Dt31-19a Write THE SONG The SONG in Dt32*2 Established Ex19-11b THE gods*3 The major religions SubSpecies Ex08-02a THE SPECIAL frogs e.g jumping frogs*4 The best Dt19-03a THE BEST road The THRUWAY*5 An Idiom Gn09-24a THE Small Smallest*6 NOTES ===== *1 A HARVEST Holiday would mean a holiday on any harvest. THE HARVEST Holiday is focused--it refers to Succoth *2 Thus THE SONG points to the SONG in the next chapter *3 THE gods refer to the KNOWN and ESTABLISHED religions *4 Thus the phrase THE (SPECIAL) FROGS (vs FROGS) refers to a special species of JUMPING FROGS which particularly humiliated Egypt *5 The BEST ROAD is of course the THRUWAY *6 The phrase THE SMALL is used to denote the SMALLEST. The etymology of such an idiom should be clear ================================================================ GOALS: ===== A person completing this module will be able to correctly identify the specific usages of >THE< in the Bible. TODAYS UNIT =========== Today we present the GRAND SUMMARY of the 70 or so examples of Rashis on the word THE. REFERENCE: ========= This module comes from the following digests in the Rashi-is-Simple series http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n24.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n11.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n14.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n16.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n18.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n19.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n20.htm http://www.Rashiyomi.Com/h9n21.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h9n22.htm http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h4n2.htm #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* =============The word THE can refer to a PROPER NOUN============ In the following verses the word THE refers to a proper noun. For example, the phrase A HARVEST HOLIDAY could refer to ANY harvest while the phrase THE HARVEST HOLIDAY is a new name to the festival of SUCCOTH which occurs at the time of harvest. The other examples are interpreted similarly ================================================================ VERSE THE MEANS.. Text of Verse with THE ======== =========== ========================================= Ex23-15a PROPER NOUN THE-SPROUTING-MONTH (April-Nissan)*1 Ex23-16c PROPER NOUN THE-HARVEST-HOLIDAY(Succoth)*2 Ex34-32b PROPER NOUN THE-HARVEST-HOLIDAY(Succoth)*2 Nu29-11a PROPER NOUN THE-SIN-ATONEMENT-OFFERING(Yom Kippur) Dt11-12a PROPER NOUN From THE-BEGINNING-YEAR(=Rosh Hashana)*3 Ex30-10c PROPER NOUN the blood of THE-SIN-OFFERING(Yom Kippur) Ex23-16a PROPER NOUN THE-CUTTING-HOLIDAY(Shavuoth)*2 Nu28-26a PROPER NOUN THE-DAY-OF-BIKURIM(Shavuoth)*2 Gn01-31a PROPER NOUN This happened on THE-6th-DAY(=Shavuoth)*4 Gn14-03a PROPER NOUN THE-VALLEY-OF-MEADOWS*5 Gn14-07b PROPER NOUN THE-AMELIKITE FIELD*5 Nu13-33a PROPER NOUN THE NEFILLIM NATION*5 Ex03-01b PROPER NOUN THE-MOUNT-OF-GOD( Mount Sinai)*5 Gn22-02c PROPER NOUN Go to THE MOUNT MORIAH (= Jerusalem)*5 Dt06-16a PROPER NOUN Dont test God as you did by THE-TEST*6 Ex25-06a PROPER NOUN Bring oil for THE-LIGHT(the Candellabrah*7 Ex22-30c PROPER NOUN Give non kosher meat to THE DOG people*8 Gn11-05a PROPER NOUN The city built by THE ADAMITES(PROPHETS)*9 NOTES ===== *1 Most academic scholars feel that the Hebrew root AV means to SPROUT from which we get the derived meanings of (a) AV=Father and (b)AVIV=Spring. Rashi advances the idea that the primary meaning of the Hebrew root AV is Father. April or Nissan is called AVIV because it is the FATHER (ie FIRST) of all months. *2 I think most of these are obvious.eg A HARVEST holiday could refer to any holiday while THE HARVEST HOLIDAY is specific and refers to Succoth. Many of these names can be further justified by cross references to other verses where the same identical phrase is used. *3 Remarkably this is the only Biblical verse where Rosh Hashana is explicitly called the BEGINNING OF THE YEAR *4 The reference is to the 6th day of creation.By every other day in Gn01 it says IT WAS MORNING AND EVENING DAY 1,2,3... But in Gn01-31a it says IT WAS MORNING & EVENING THE-6th-DAY Rashi suggests that THE-6th-DAY is a proper name of Shavuoth, the holiday that happens on the 6th of Sivan (the same way that THE 4th could refer to July 4th in America). According to this, Genesis 1 describes not 7 days of creation but the first 7 periods of human prophetic history which started with the creation of Adam, the first prophet, and culminated with the creation of Moses who received the Torah on Shavuoth. The other days describe the other prophets of human history--for example Monday describes the creation of Noach, the prophet of the flood. For further details on Gn01 visit URL http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gen-1.htm *5 Cf 2C03-01 for an explicit statement that Moriah=Jerusalem The root of the Hebrew Moriah is YRH which means to GUIDE Cf Is02-03 for an explicit statement that Jerusalem will be best known for its GUIDANCE TO THE NATIONS in the Messianic era. *6 According to Ex17-07 the Jews TESTED God at a certain place and they therefore named the place THE TEST (The Jews were punished for THIS TEST with the attack of Amalek) Thus Rashis point is that Dt06-16a does not state YOU TESTED GOD WITH SOME TEST but rather it means YOU TESTED GOD AT THE-TEST (A severe test for which you were punished) *7 The reference is to raw material needed for construction of the Tabernacle. If the Bible had said BRING OIL FOR LIGHTS I would think it could eg refer to LIGHTING for the workers However since the Bible says BRING LIGHTING FOR THE LIGHT it refers to an actual object--THE LIGHT, the CANDELLABRAH *8 These last 2 examples involve some novelty on my part. If we compare Dt14-21 and Ex22-30 we see that Dt14-21 says to GIVE YOUR NONKOSHER MEAT TO THE NONJEWISH ALIENS while Ex22-30 says to GIVE YOUR NONKOSHER MEAT TO THE DOGS. This juxtaposition of DOGS with NONJEWISH ALIENS suggests that THE DOGS is a proper name refering to a nation of rif-rafs. According to Ex22-30 it is preferred to give our non-kosher meat to this rif-raf nation (and if they are not around we can give it to any nonjewish nation). Rashi explains the moral point: According to Ex11-07 THE DOGS DID NOT HARASS THE JEWS WHEN THEY LEFT EGYPT--hence God rewarded these dog people with priority on non-jewish meat. *9 These last 2 examples involve some novelty on my part. First some background: The word ADAM in Hebrew can refer either to the actual first man/prophet, ADAM, mentioned in Gn01 or else it can mean HUMAN. Since it says in Gn11-05 THE ADAMITES,it would refer to an actual group, THE ADAMITES. Recall that ADAM was the first prophet and that there were other non-prophetic people who existed such as the Snake(Gn03 or LiLith (a girlfriend of Adam)).Hence, it seems reasonable that the phrase the ADAMITES would refer to the UPPER CLASSES. Possibly it could refer to THE PROPHETS. The point of Gn11-05 was that the attempt to build the city of Babel and rebel against God was not made by the lower classes who did not understand God but rather by the PROPHET CLASSES. For a similar attack on prophets/angels sinning see Gn06-01:02 The above argument is a paraphrase but not a literal rendition of Rashi ================================================================ ========The word THE can indicate a POINTING==================== In the following verses the word THE points to something, usually something mentioned nearby. Most of these examples are obvious: For example, Dt01-01 says THESE ARE THE REBUKES WHICH MOSES SAID TO ISRAEL. The phrase THE REBUKES refers to the REBUKES presented immediately thereafter in the next few chapters, Dt01 thru Dt13. ================================================================ VERSE THE means Test of Verse with THE pointing to something ======== ========= ============================================= Dt04-44a POINTING This is THE TORAH = The 10 commandments*1 Dt04-45a POINTING These are THE LAWS = The 10 commandments*1 Ex27-07a POINTING The support poles are brought in THE RINGS*2 Ex28-25b POINTING Place the EYFOD cords on THE SETTING STONES*3 Nu01-17a POINTING Moses took THE PEOPLE mentioned*4 Dt04-32c POINTING Has anyone heard THE GREAT THING(Gd saved us*5 Dt01-01a POINTING These are THE REBUKES that Moses gave*6 Dt31-19a POINTING Now you, Jews, write THIS SONG*7 Ex12-02a POINTING THE NEW MOON will begin each month*8 Nu28-06a POINTING THE DAILY OLAH offering made in Mount Sinai*9 Nu04-13a POINTING THE Altar = The Copper Altar*10 Ex26-15a POINTING THE temple boards=Those planted by Abraham*11 NOTES ===== *1 These verses refers to the 10 commandments mentioned immediately in the next chapter Dt04-06 and cross referencing the 10 commandments also mentioned in Ex20 *2 This refers to Ex27-04 a few verses earlier which describes THE RINGS *3 This refers to Ex28-13 a few verses earlier which describes the construction of these stones *4 This refers to Nu01-01:16 a few verses earlier which lists the people mentioned *5 This refers to Gods saving us, a theme which is mentioned in the very next verse *6 This refers to THE REBUKES mentioned in the next few chapters, Dt01 thru Dt13 *7 This refers to THE REBUKE SONG mentioned in the next chapter Dt32 This SONG is one of only 2 songs written in a special Biblical song format (with a special triangular use of Tabs). Note that by law you cannot write only a PART of the Torah on parchment. Hence this Biblical commandment to write the REBUKE SONG necessitates an interpretation to write the WHOLE TORAH! *8 This is a tricky verse. The simplest approach is to realize that the Hebrew word CHODESH can refer EITHER to (a) the new moon, (b) the first of the month or (c) the whole month (This point is made by RADACK in his book ROOTS). Hence we interpret the two occurences of CHODESH in this verse to have 2 different meanings! The verse is interpreted as follows: --------------------------------------------------------- This NEW-MOON will be for you (the sign) of a new month; This MONTH will be the first of the months of the year --------------------------------------------------------- Thus we learn 2 laws from this verse: (a) That the new month is established by a new moon (b) That Nissan-April is the first legal month. *9 The reference is to the copper altar mentioned in Ex27-01. Compare Ex27-01 vs Ex30-01 and notice how reference to the copper altar uses THE while reference to the Golden altar does not use THE. *10 This refers to either of the 2 OLAH offerings offered at Mount Sinai (Ex24-01:08 brought at the 10 commandments and Ex29-38:46 brought at the consecration of the priests) *11 This is probably the most difficult example in this list. But following the pattern in the other examples we seek a reference to TREES made for a TEMPLE. There is a clear reference in Gn21-33 that ABRAHAM PLANTED AN EYSHEL TREE AND CALLED THERE(Biblical language indicating making an altar) IN THE NAME OF GOD THE GOD OF THE WORLD. Thus it seems reasonable that since Abraham planted trees to make altars the other Patriarchs also followed this tradition. Hence the statement in Ex26-15 that we should take THE BOARDS refers to the boards from the trees planted by the Patriarchs. The Netziv points out that it is grammatically permissable to begin construction chapters with or without THE. This is correct! Rashis point however is that by every other Temple utensil (except the altar) the chapter begins without THE (e.g. MAKE AN ARK (Ex25-10), MAKE CERUBIMEx25-18), MAKE A TABLE (Ex25-23) By contrast Ex26-15 begins MAKE THE BOARDS. Thus Rashi and the Midrash are responding to this contrast. The word THE is POINTING to something known. In passing Rashi makes an identical point referencing the trees planted by Abraham, in Ex25-05c (Acknowledgement to Ron Mitnick for showing me this Netziv and for suggesting the research on THE summarized in this posting). ================================================================ ===The word THE can refer to the WELL KNOWN & ESTABLISHED======= The word THE can refer to something WELL KNOWN & ESTABLISHED. For example, HE STOPPED BY A WELL would mean he stopped by any well. By contrast, HE STOPPED BY THE WELL would mean he stopped by the WELL KNOWN TOWN WELL---verses can prove that TOWN WELLS in ancient times were like our pubs--they were meeting places and facilitated socializing. ================================================================ VERES THE means Text of verse: Footnotes explain THE ======== ================= ==================================== Dt01-07e KNOWN-ESTABLISHED THE MOUNT=The Kings Mountain*1 Ex21-06a KNOWN-ESTABLISHED Take him to THE JUDGE (ie court)*2 Ex40-29b KNOWN-ESTABLISHED He offered THE olah offering*3 Ex40-29c KNOWN-ESTABLISHED He offered THE minchah offering*3 Ex02-15d KNOWN-ESTABLISHED Moses stopped by THE well*4 Ex22-19a KNOWN-ESTABLISHED Excommunicate offerers to THE gods*5 Ex19-11b KNOWN-ESTABLISHED You God is greater than THE gods*5 Ex22-01a KNOWN-ESTABLISHED Thiefs in THE tunnel may be killed*6 Ex02-03c KNOWN-ESTABLISHED She made the ship with THE TAR..*7 Ex04-06a KNOWN-ESTABLISHED He was leprous as THE SNOW LEPORS*8 Ex21-20b KNOWN-ESTABLISHED If he is hit with THE ROD...*9 NOTES ===== *1 This should be clear. The mountain path used by the king became known as THE MOUNTAIN (in contrast to the other mountain paths available). *2 TAKE HIM TO A JUDGE could mean eg for legal consultation TAKE HIM TO THE JUDGE means that the process is judical. A court has to hear the slaves statement that he wishes to remain a slave. *3 The reference is the WELL KNOWN and ESTABLISHED Olah offering; that is, the daily offering mentioned in Nu28 as well as its established Mincah libation mentioned in Nu28-05 *4 The reference is to the WELL KNOWN and ESTABLISHED town well. In ancient times WELLS were a frequent meeting place (much like pubs today). Cf Gn29-02:10 and Is09-11 which describe how Jacob and Saul also socialized at THE WELL) *5 THE gods refers to the WELL KNOWN and ESTABLISHED RELIGIONS (Rashi states this in a picturesque manner but nevertheless this is his intent) *6 Not a thief in A TUNNEL but a thief in THE TUNNEL..that is in the ESTABLISHED HOUSE TUNNEL. The point here is that the reason you can kill a thief is that the thief knows that you will defend your property and therefore the thief is prepared to kill you--hence you may kill him in self defense. BUT if you find a thief in a hideout you may not kill him--only when there is a possibility of confrontation may you kill him. From this we learn that e.g. that you may not kill a thief when he is fleeing or a thief in a barn (Since they are not a threat) (See Rambam Laws of Theft, Chapter 9) *7 In these last examples it is not the OBJECT that is well known and established but rather it is the PROCEDURE connected with the object that is well known and established. The reference is to the reed-ship that Moses mother made when she placed him on the Nile. The Bible says she made it with THE TAR..indicating the WELL KNOWN and ESTABLISHED practice of TARRING the boat (The procedure called for using the stronger smelling tar on the outside so boat riders should not have to smell it) *8 In these last examples it is not the OBJECT that is well known and established but rather it is the PROCEDURE connected with the object that is well known and established. Cf Nu12 and Lv13 for a statement that Leprosy has snow- white patches. Cf Dt24-08:09 for an explicit statement that leprosy is a punishment for slander. Finally cf Ex04-01 for an explicit account of Moses slander of the Jewish people (Moses said: BUT THE JEWS WONT BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL THEM THAT GOD SENT ME). If the verse had only said MOSES HAD A LEPROUS WHITE PATCH I would interpret it to refer to the color (very white). But the verse says that MOSES HAD THE LEPROUS WHITE PATCH. The word THE indicates that Moses had the WELL KNOWN and ESTABLISHED SYMPTOMALOGY of Leprosy (including the fact that it was a punishment for slander) *9 This is a bit involved. Let us give some background From Nu35-16:18 we learn that murder requires a lethal weapon--eg if I throw a spitball at a person & he dies then I dont receive the death penalty. I have to eg throw a stone or other lethal object to receive a death penalty. Next let us review Ex21-20. If a master hits a slave with a lethal object and the slave dies immediately the master receives a death penalty. But if the master hits the slave and the slave dies after a 24 hour period then the master does not receive the death penalty (The point being that a master has certain discipline rights on slaves..therefore we do not give a death penalty if the death of the slave is delayed). This law (that there is no death penalty for death in 24 hours if the rod was not lethal) is inferred from the Biblical phrase HIT HIM WITH THE ROD--that is the ESTABLISHED AND WELL KNOWN ROD by which masters hit slaves.(Also see Rambam Murder 2 who derives a complementary law: If the master hits with excessive force (eg a steel rod) then the master is liable for a death penalty EVEN if the slave died after 24 hours. Thus both exceptions (no death penalty for death within 24 hours and a death penalty for death after 24 hours are derived from the use of THE). ================================================================ ======The word THE can mean something SPECIAL=================== We would translate the word THE in all these verses to mean SOMETHING SPECIAL. Thus we would not translate HE RODE ON A DONKEY but rather HE RODE ON THE SPECIAL DONKEYS. The reader is then free to fill in the details as to HOW this animal was special. For example in Ex04-20 the point might be that even though Moses was freeing the Jews he rode on a donkey that was specially raised for domesticated purposes; such a donkey was incapable of fighting and yet Moses rode on it to free the Jews! ================================================================= VERSE THE MEANS VERSE TEXT WHAT WAS SPECIAL ======== ========= ================== ========================= Ex04-20a SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL donkey Specially domesticated*1 Ex08-02a SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL frog Frogs known for jumping*2 Gn01-21a SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL monster The Leviathan*3 Lv01-02c SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL animal with no bestiality*4 Lv01-02d SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL cattle not worshipped*4 Lv01-02f SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL cattle not wounded*4 Lv01-02e SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL sheep not set for idolatry*4 Lv01-02f SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL Sheep not wounded*4 Lv01-10b SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL sheep not sweaty,sick,old*4 Lv01-14a SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL Birds not missing an organ*4 Lv01-14d SUBCLASS THE SPECIAL Adults not teenagers*4 NOTES ===== *1 We would translate the word THE in all these verses to mean SOMETHING SPECIAL. Thus we would not translate HE RODE ON A DONKEY but rather HE RODE ON THE SPECIAL DONKEYS. The reader is then free to infer what is special in each case (There is nothing specific mentioned in the BIble). With regard to donkeys we suppose that they were specially domesticated donkeys incapable of fighting. Moses went to free the Jews and did not even ride on a fighting donkey! Rashi points out that Abraham and Messiah also rode on such donkeys. Although one reading of Rashi suggests that there was a special donkey that lived 1000s of years we think it preferable to interpret the verses as referring to a donkey species. *2 The 2nd plague brought on Egypt consisted of Frogs humiliating the Egyptians. What could be more humiliating than a frog class known for its jumping. Rashi appears to have two possible interpretations of this verse a) One frog went up over egypt b) The frogs (as a species) went up But I would unify these two interpretations: It was ONE FROG SPECIES (known for its jumping). My father (Abraham Hendel) cited a friend Rabbi Schechter who liked this interpretation (since it solves a problem raised by the Malbim). However I was asked not to be too harsh on the Malbim (Who after all came up with this principle). Yasher Coach for the advice. *3 There are many verses where Leviathan is considered by the Bible to be THE best known Monster. The Bible also makes it clear that the Leviathan will be eaten by the righteous in the future world (Cf Jb40-25, Ps74,14, Is26 and Is27) *4 The Malbim explained these Rashis in his commentary On leviticus. I have augmented the Malbims explanation by adding the idea of an intuitive translation. We translate the verse as BRING THE SACRIFICES FROM THE SPECIAL ANIMALS. Such a translation emphasizes that e.g. these animals should not have missing organs, be used for idolatry or sexual purposes etc. ================================================================ =======The word THE can refer to THE BEST GUESS================= For example, Gn18-07b says that Abraham asked THE LAD to give food to the his angel guests. It doesnt say he asked A LAD but rather it says he asked THE LAD. So the obvious guess is that he asked his son, Ishmael, but did not eg asked hired help. Notice that these Rashis cannot be proved but are reasonable guesses. That is why we placed them last. ================================================================ VERES THE MEANS TEXT OF VERSE WHAT IS THE BEST? ======== ========= ==================== ======================= Nu11-27a THE BEST THE BEST KNOWN LAD Moses' Son,Gayrshom*1 Gn18-07b THE BEST THE BEST KNOWN LAD Abrahams son,Ishmael*1 Ex12-37b THE BEST THE BEST MEN 20 year olds(military*2 Dt02-17b THE BEST THE BEST MEN 20 year olds(military*2 Gn41-01b THE BEST THE BEST CANAL The Nile (Jr46-07)*3 Ex23-31b THE BEST THE BEST River Prath (Gn02-14b)*3 Gn41-14a THE BEST THE BEST PIT Prison*4 Dt03-25b THE BEST THE BEST MOUNTAIN Jerusalem*5 Dt03-25c THE BEST THE BEST WHITE HOUSE The Temple*5 Dt12-09c THE BEST THE BEST REST Shiloh (Home of temple)*6 Dt12-09d THE BEST THE BEST Inheriatance Jerusalem(temple home)*6 Ex20-21e THE BEST THE BEST PLACE The Temple mount*7 Gn28-11a THE BEST THE BEST PLACE The temple mount*7 Dt19-03a THE BEST THE BEST ROAD The THRUWAY*8 Gn06-02a THE BEST THE BEST leaders Prophets*9 Ex22-12a THE BEST THE BEST WOUNDS Lion wounds*10 Nu14-37a THE BEST THE SPECIAL PLAGUE See footnote*11 NOTES ===== *1 The Best guess on who was helping is the children. *2 Only 20 years old and up are eligible for army service Hence the phrase THE MEN OF WAR or just THE MEN probably refers to these men *3 Among all canals the NILE is the most famous and best. Cf Jr46-07 for the phrase A CANAL which does not have to refer to the NILE. Similarly THE RIVER refers to the PRATH river which according to Gn02-14b is the BEST of rivers (it is listed last in a list of 4 paradisial rivers) *4 Joseph was talking, who we know was in prison. Prisons in ancient times were in pits (to prevent escape). Cf The mideval DUNGEON *5 Moses was praying for the right to go to Israel. It seems reasonable that in particular he wanted to see the Temple and Jerusalem since he had worked on sacrifices *6 The chapter is talking about the fact that YOU MUST OFFER SACRIFICES IN JERUSALEM. Hence the statement that YOU HAVE NOT YET COME TO THE INHERITANCE AND AND REST refers to all places the Temple was (shiloh Jerusalem etc). Note in the above intepretation we are interpreting the WHOLE phrase to refer to Temple places. We are not intepreting each particular word. Interpreting phrases vs words facilitates the flowingness of Rashi *7 Radack brings about 4 verses where THE PLACE refers to the temple: Gn28-11,Ez03-12,Dt33-27,Es04-14. Thus eg we would translate Ex03-12 as PRAISE BE GOD FROM HIS TEMPLE OF HOLINESS. Similarly Gn28-11 means JACOB CAME TO THE TEMPLE PLACE AND PRAYED etc.These 4 verses give credibility to this rare meaning of PLACE (We prefer translating it as THE TEMPLE, THE HOME OF GOD vs the usual translation of PLACE as GOD Himself) *8 Clear--The best road is a thruway *9 Rashi and Radack have a controversy on this verse since E-L-O-H-I-M can equally mean leaders, judges, prophets and angels. But Rashis translation is based on the word THE. THE ELOHIM means The best of leaders and would refer to prophets or angels. Thus the verse says that the Prophets sinned and snatched women. Rashi then describes this picturesquely by citing a legend that two Prophet-Angels names HELL etc rebelled against God. From the point of the verse I think it is clear that Rashi simply states that it was the prophets that were sinning *10 Using Talmudic lingo we would say that a person paid to watch an object is responsible for SMALL accidents (like loss and theft) since he could have prevented it, but he is not responsible for BIG accidents (like armed robbery or lion attacks). The Biblical language is also clear and mirrors the Talmudic language. The paid watcher is not responsible for THE wounds (like those of a lion) but is responsible for A WOUND (like those of a dog which he could have prevented). *11 Rashi says this was a special plague in which people died the way they sinned. The spies sinned with their mouths and were punished with a mouth plague. ============================================================== =================THE can create new IDIOMS==================== In the following examples the word THE refers to the BEST of something and creates an idiom. For example the phrase THE SMALL means SMALLEST. Similarly THE WOODERY refers to wooden utensils ============================================================== VERSE THE.. TEXT OF VERSE THE IDIOM MEANS ======== ===== ==================== =============== Dt07-07a IDIOM THE SMALL Smallest*1 Dt07-07b IDIOM THE SMALL Smallest*1 Gn09-24a IDIOM THE SMALL Smallest*1 Ex07-19f IDIOM THE WOODERY Wood utensils Ex21-02c IDIOM THE FREE Freedom*2 Gn42-27a IDIOM THE ONE The leader*3 Dt05-18a IDIOM THE GOOD AND UPRIGHT Compromise*4 NOTES ===== *1 Rashi makes an additional point. Since eg CHAM was not actually the YOUNGEST therefore if the Bible calls him the YOUNGEST it must mean the SPIRITUALLY YOUNGEST---that is the most immature. For proof that CHAM was not the youngest see Gn10 Although the order in Gn05-32 and Gn06-10 seem to suggest otherwise nevertheless Gn10 is clear that YEFETH is oldest (Gn10-01:14), CHAM is 2nd(Gn10-15:20) and SHAYM is 3rd (Gn10-21:32). *2 cf similar expressions using free found in 2K15-08 (THE FREE HOUSE=A retreat) or Ez27-20 THE CLOTHES OF A FREEMAN. *3 It is clear from eg Gn34 that Shimon and Levi were leaders(they initiated the retaliatory war against the city that raped their sister). Thus THE ONE must refer to the LEADER---since Shimon was imprisoned this must be Levi. (In the main posting I discuss another approach presented by Rabbi Dr Boncheck-- however the present approach using simple grammar is preferable) *4 Jewish law requires as part of the judicial process that all cases have a formal offer of compromise or arbitration if they so wish. In practice most monetary cases were settled by such compromise. ============================================================== #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2001 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*