Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#7 of 36 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Aug 13, 2000 # # Rashis 199-200 Of 7800 (2.6%) # # # # 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 # ########################################################### 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: ------------------------------------------------------------ --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". ------------------------------------------------------------ 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. We will now spend 2-3 days reviewing a very basic set of Rashis on Climax--namely the Rashis on Lv26-14:15. This set of Rashis shows an interesting interchange between ----Rashis on 6 Biblical phrases ----5 subtle distinctions in these 2-3 verses ----what looks like arbitrary distinctions in Rashi Remember our goal is to show how the principle of CLIMAX itself contributes to the Rashis. For those interested this entire set of Rashis was first published at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h2n5.htm The explanations I gave had significant improvements from my Rashi class at the Lower Merion Synagogue which I gave for several years. #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# VERSE: Lv26-15a VERSE: Lv26-15b BACKGROUND ---------- Yesterday We began very slowly. Today we ---review Rashis interpretation ---defend 2 obvious phrases in this interpretation BIBLICAL TEXT WITH RASHIS INTERPRETATION ----------------------------------------- We recall the translation of Lv26-14:15 which speaks about Jews who DONT LISTEN to the commandments. BIBLICAL TEXT RASHI ------------- ----------------------- If you 1) Don't LISTEN = Don't STUDY 2) don't PRACTICE = Don't OBEY 3) DESPISE my laws = Ridicule OTHERS 4) COURT DECISIONS loathesome = Ridicule COURT DECISIONS 5) DON'T PARTICPATE IN DOING = DON'T participate in COMMUNAL performances 6) MY commandments = You deny they come from GOD 7) TILL you annul my convenant = TOTAL BLASPHEMY Notice at this point how the Rashis all appear ad hoc; For example why should we interpert "DESPISE MY LAWS" as "RIDICULE THE RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCE OF OTHERS".These interpretations are possible but not necessary. LISTS WITH PECULIARITIES ------------------------ Let us review two of the lists from yesterday We also introduce a new {LIST6} {LIST6} {The first 2 and last 2 rebukes use the word YOU The last 2 rebukes do not use the word YOU So there is a nuance on OTHERS vs YOU} VERSE TEXT (Note CAPPED word) ------- --------------------------------------- Lv26-14 IF you do not listen to me IF you do not do the commandments Lv26-15 IF my statutes are despised IF my judgements are loathesome UNTIL you don't do my commandments UNTIL you break my convenant {LIST3} {Lv26-14 uses a VERB-OBJECT order(NOT DO-MY COMMANDMENTS) Lv26-15 uses a OBJECT-VERB order(MY COMMANDMENTS-NOT DONE So there is an emphasis on WHICH commandments are not done} VERSE TEXT (Note CAPPED word) ------- --------------------------------------- Lv26-14 If you don't listen to me If you do not DO THE COMMANDMENTS Lv26-15 If MY STATUTES are DESPISED If MY JUDGEMENTS are LOATHESOME Until you don't DO MY COMMANDMENTS Until you BREAK MY CONVENANT {LIST4} {A variety of disobediences are described: DON'T DO, LISTEN, DESPISE, LOATHESOME.... Similarly the commandments are described in a variety of manners COMMANDMENTS, STATUTES, JUDGEMENTS,CONVENANT} VERSE TEXT (Note CAPPED word) ------- --------------------------------------- Lv26-14 If you don't LISTEN If you do not DO THE COMMANDMENTS Lv26-15 If MY STATUTES are DESPISED If MY JUDGEMENTS are LOATHESOME Until you don't DO MY COMMANDMENTS Until you BREAK MY CONVENANT EXAMPLE 15: Lv26-15b -------------------- RASHI: 'If "my Judgement laws" are despicable' --The word order emphasizes JUDGEMENTS --The lack of the word YOU emphasizes a nuance of OTHERS Together it would seem that they are talking about making fun of Jewish Court procedures EXAMPLE 16: Lv26-15a -------------------- RASHI:The first 2 phrases emphasize "If YOU do not do..." The next 2 phrases emphasize making fun of others doing Indeed "if YOU do not LISTEN to me" "if YOU do not DO my COMMANDMENTS" "if MY STATUTES become DISGUSTING" "if MY JUDGEMENT LAWS are LOATHESOME" So Rashi takes the 1st two to refer to your inactions while the last two refers to rediculing others. Again, while the above does not prove this, Rashi is also relying on the CLIMACTIC nature of the verses. It is this developmental nature which demands that Rashi interpret the verses in increasing intensity. This lends credibility to the idea that others are being despised, whether Judges or religious people We will complete this series tomorrow with important implications for outreach #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#