Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#9 of 36
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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:

------------------------------------------------------------
--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.

The last example was complicated with 6 supportive lists.
In the following verse we see a pleasant idyllic botanic
example whose meadow like beauty hovers in counterpoint
to the stark simplicity of Rashi. Enjoy!  I believe
this is our shortest RashiYomi to date

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VERSE: Nu17-23a
VERSE: Nu17-23b
VERSE: Nu17-23c

BACKGROUND: The Bible is talking about a sprouting plant

EXAMPLE 19: Nu17-23a "It Flowered" RASHI: Bud-Flower-stage
EXAMPLE 20: Nu17-23b "It sprouted" RASHI: Fruit formation
EXAMPLE 21: Nu17-23c "It matured"  RASHI: Fruit completion


NOTES
-----
* The commentaries (eg Sifsay Chachamim) correctly point
  out that each of the Hebrew words used can have other
  meanings: For example "sprouting" can also refer to
  "bud formation" vs "fruit formation"

* It was the Sifsay Chachamim himself who answers the consequent
  question: "If these words can be interpreted either way why
  then does Rashi select one interpretation over the other?"

  ANSWER: Rashi used the principle of CLIMAX: The verse was
  interpreted in such a way that the 3 words indicated 3
  SUCCESSIVE stages: BUD-FLOWER-FRUIT-FORMATION-COMPLETION

* Both Rashi and SIfsay Chachamim bring lists of verses
  to show the potential meanings of the terms used. For
  example Rashi shows that the Hebrew GML can denote
  MATURITY of either people, animals or plants

  But as Sifsay Chachamim points out the main thrust of
  Rashi is the emphasis on the principle of Climax. It
  is this principle itself which motivates selection of
  meaning

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