Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#11 of 36
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Aug 19, 2000 #
# Rashis 209-210 Of 7800 (2.7%) #
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This module deals with the principle of CLIMAX. We review
Rashis on verses where the motivating interpretive force of
Rashi is the climactic development of verses.
Briefly speaking the rule of CLIMAX states that at certain
times a sequence of 3 or more Biblical phrases will develop
a theme in a CLIMACTIC FASHION.
EXAMPLE: The best example of Climax is the Rashi on Dt19-11
According to Rashi this verse describes MURDER as occuring
in 4 stages:
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--The EMOTIONAL stage---"When a person HATES another person"
--The OBSERVATIONAL stage--"& he spys/STALKS on that person"
--The CONFRONTATION stage--"& he CONFRONTS him"
--MURDER-------------------"& he MURDERS him".
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In other words Rashi uses the CLIMACTIC development of this
verse to show HOW a murder occurs--you don't just get up
and murder somebody. First you hate them; then you spy alot
on them; finally you can pick a fight with them and this
leads to murder.
The principle of CLIMAX is particularly useful for purposes
of OUTREACH. For every climactic development teaches us
HOW to stop something from developing. Thus the best way
to stop murder is to stop the hatred and stalking that
leads to it. Many other useful examples of outreach will
be presented in this module.
The principle of CLIMAX is often supported by other nuances
in the verses. However at times the principle of CLIMAX BY
ITSELF--that is, the assumption that the Torah spoke in a
climactic manner---this assumption ITSELF, WITHOUT further
grammatical support, generates interpretation of the verses.
In the Rabbi Ishmael hierarchy of rules this is called
LEARNING FROM CONTEXT---that is, the verse by itself DOES
NOT suggest any further interpretation--but the SURROUNDING
verses--the CONTEXT---DO suggest a further interpretation.
In this posting we bring a clear example where CLIMAX
and CONTEXT ITSELF dictates interpretation.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Ex21-09a
VERSE: Ex22-13a
BACKGROUND:
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The Bible is speaking about situations where one person gives
another person some object with the expectation of getting the
object back. Some simple examples of this might be (free) loans,
renting, guards etc. Let us review the texts
Ex22-06 If you give an object to be guarded then the guard IS
------- NOT responsible if the object was watched properly but
stolen(unarmed robbery by say a breakin to a watched
place)
Ex22-09 If you give an object to be guarded then the guard the IS
------- responsible if the object was STOLEN but not responsible
if lost thru ARMED ROBBERY or a WILD ANIMAL
Ex22-13 If you LOAN an object then the LENDER is responsible
------- even if the object was stolen by ARMED ROBBERY
{LIST} {The following {LIST} summarizes these verses
For best results read this in FIXED width fonts}
TRANSFER OF PROPERTY VERSE PAY if STOLEN if ARMED ROBBERY
-------------------- ----- ------------- ----------------
Guard this for me Ex22-06 NO NO
Guard this for me Ex22-09 YES NO
(Free) loan to someone Ex22-13 YES YES
APPLICATION OF CLIMAX
---------------------
Notice how the RESPONSIBILITIES of the Guard CLIMACTICALLY
increase.
For Ex22-06 he is NEVER responsible.
For Ex22-13 he is ALWAYS responsible
For Ex22-09 he is SOMETIMES responsible *1
Hence the Rashis
Ex 25: Ex22-09a RASHI:
----------------------
Chapter Ex22-06 speaks about an UNPAID GUARD
Chapter Ex22-09 speaks about a PAID GUARD
Ex 26: Ex22-13a RASHI:
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Chapter Ex22-13 explicitly speaks about a FREE LOAN
It was the other party who initiated the transfer. Hence
**he** is responsible even for accidents.
COMMENT
-------
The only reason that Rashi interpreted Ex22-06 vs Ex22-09 as
referring to a PAID vs UNPAID guard is because of the principle
of CLIMAX. There is no support for this distinction in the verses
themselves. Hence it is the principle of CLIMAX itself which
creates this interpretation.
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