Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#12 of 36
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THIS MODULE
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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.
WHAT IS CLIMAX
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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
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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.
APPLICATION TO OUTREACH
-----------------------
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.
CLIMAX WITHOUT GRAMMAR
----------------------
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 continue our series of short examples
of CLIMAX
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv18-07a
VERSE: Lv18-07b
VERSE: Lv18-08a
BACKGROUND:
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The Bible is discussing forbidden sexual relations. The Bible
lists 3 incest prohibitions with ones fathers wife. First
we present the CLIMACTIC list and then we show how these fit
the verses.
{LIST} {The following are prohibited relations}
----------------------------------------------------------------
1) Your mother is married to your father--- incest & adultery
2) Your mother is no longer your fathers wife--incest
3) Your fathers (2nd wife) after his death --
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CLIMAX
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1) There is BOTH incest & adultery(mother still married to father
2) There is ONLY incest (if your mother is not married to father)
3) There is NEITHER incest/adultery(fathers 2nd wife after death)
Thus we see how the prohibitions increase in non-obviousness
VERSES
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Ex 27:Lv18-07a Do not uncover The nakedness of your father*1
RASHI: This is the ordinary case: mother married to father
Ex 28:Lv18-07b Do not uncover the nakedness of your mother---
RASHI: "MOTHER"---so EVEN if not married to father*3
Ex 29:Lv18-08a Do not uncover The nakedness of your fathers wife
RASHI: EVEN if not your mother and EVEN if your father is dead*3
THE PRINCIPLE OF CLIMAX
-----------------------
*3 Rashi learned the ideas indicated by the phrases starting
with "EVEN" not thru grammar but rather thru the principle
of CLIMAX. The principle of CLIMAX demands that each phrase
increases slightly in severity from the preceding phrase.*2
NOTES
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*1 Note the assumption that
>nakedness of your FATHER = nakedness of FATHERS WIFE
This equation is justified by the explicit association in Lv20-11
>a person who sleeps with his FATHERS WIFE,
>who uncovers HIS FATHERS nakedness
*2 The argument of "the Bible is using extra words" would simply
indicate that "something extra is indicated". It wouldn't
tell us HOW to implement this extraness. Furthermore
"Extra words" are not always expounded in the Bible...it
is rather the principle of CLIMAX that is requiring the
increase in severity.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#