Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#14 of 36
###########################################################
#     10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE               #
#              Aug 22, 2000                               #
#          Rashis 215-215 Of 7800 (2.8%)                  #
#                                                         #
#    Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple,      #
#             (c) 1999-Present, Dr. Hendel                #
#               http://www.RashiYomi.Com/                 #
#                                                         #
#Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit#
#                                                         #
# WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS       #
###########################################################

TREAT
-----
Today and tomorrow I am bringing you verbatim postings from
the current issue of Rashi is Simple the parent email group
to the Chevruta Rashi Yomi.  This email group is published
twice weekly---those who want to subscribe can do so
at the Rashi website whose URL is above. There is alot new
here so please read the whole thing.


THIS MODULE
-----------
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 THE RULE OF CLIMAX
--------------------------
a) 3 or more consecutive similar phrases **should**
   be interpreted as developing CLIMACTICALLY. 1st step one,
   then step 2, then step 3 etc



EXAMPLE: The verse Dt19-11 describes murder using 4 phrases
--------
   --When a person HATES somebody
   --and he STALKS him
   --and CONFRONTS him
   --and HITS HIM LETHALLY so that he dies.

   We **could** interpret this to mean "When someone murders
   someone". But because of the principle of CLIMAX we interpret
   the 4 phrases as CLIMACTICALLY leading to MURDER. Murder
   happens in 4 stages
   a) EMOTIONAL: You HATE the person
   b) OBSERVATIONAL: You OBSERVE the person CONSTANTLY(obsession)
   c) SOCIAL: You CONFRONT the person
   The above 3 will naturally lead to murder.


CLIMAX WITHOUT GRAMMAR
----------------------
b) This principle of CLIMAX, **by itself** can be used to decide
   the meaning of ambiguous phrases(even if nothing else besides
   CLIMAX supports the decision)

EXAMPLE: In the above example from Dt19-11 I could have
   interpreted RISE UP ON HIM to **either** mean KILL or
   CONFRONT. For the verb to RISE UP does mean both.

   The only reason I chose CONFRONT vs KILL is that the
   principle of CLIMAX requires a CLIMACTIC development.



CLIMAX vs SIMPLE MEANING OF THE TEXT
------------------------------------
c) Note that it is legitimate to hold the position that
   "These 3 or 4 phrases all say the **same** thing and this is
    common in poetry;but BECAUSE of the principle of CLIMAX I
    am justified in assuming that each phrase has a distinct
    meaning and that the 3 or 4 phrases build up to a CLIMAX."


    EXAMPLE: There is nothing wrong in Dt19-13 in stating that
    "The Bible is simply talking about murder and is using
    a conversational style. However the principle of CLIMAX
    additionally teaches me HOW murders take place."

    In general the principle of CLIMAX can be vigorously used
    to teach outreach. For each example of CLIMAX, by
    teaching us HOW something happens can be reversed and show
    us how to stop it.



CLIMAX & RABBI ISHMAEL'S PRINCIPLES
-----------------------------------
d) The principle of climax is associated with the RabbiIshmael
   principle of the DETAIL-GENERAL style.

   EXAMPLE: The last phrase in Dt19-13 is MURDER,
   something GENERAL. The other phrases---HATRED, STALKING,
   CONFRONTATION are DETAILS associated with murder.

   The RabbiIshmael Rule of DETAIL-GENERAL requires a broad
   interpretation of the DETAILS to be consistent with the
   GENERAL principle---and this is exactly what the principle
   of CLIMAX teaches---that the DETAILS lead up to the GENERAL

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

EXAMPLES
--------
Ex 33) Dt06-13a
-------------------
FEAR God
WORSHIP God
SWEAR by his name.


RASHI (rephrased):
-----------------
The Torah teaches psychology: A person tends to swear by those
things that
-a) he is AFRAID of
-b) he is INVOLVED in and WORKS at.


APPLICATION
-----------
(1)(Rashi) If you really FEAR God and really WORSHIP him then
when you spontaneously swear you will swear by Gods name.

(2)(Not in Rashi) Those people who are INVOLVED in a physical
life and who continuously WORRY about their standing in the
physically oriented life style community tend to swear using
foul language (ie physical language). This is well known...we
merely point out how this is consistent with Rashis principle
The two components necessary for swearing--WORRY and
INVOVLEMENT are both present.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#