SUCCINCT SUMMARY
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One of Rashis 10 main goals is the explanation of
meaning the same way a dictionary explains meaning.
We call this the Rashi method of WORD MEANING.
Rashi had 10 vehicles by which to explain words.
Rashi frequently explains not, word meaning, but rather
phrase meaning. That is each particular word in the
phrase may have a known meaning but the collection of
words together form a NEW IDIOMATIC MEANING.
We call this the NEW MEANING or the IDIOM SUBMETHOD.
EXAMPLE: Dt12-28b Dt12-28c
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Rashis Dt12-28b Dt12-28c should ideally
be perceived as one Rashi: A nifty way
of understanding this Rashi is the
English expression: MORAL & PROPER
In this expression
- MORAL connotes SPIRITUALLY good behavior
- PROPER connotes SOCIALLY good behavior
Here Rashi sees the phrase
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- the GOOD and PROPER
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as a sort of IDIOM--that is a phrase
whose meaning transcends the meaning
of its individual words. The IDIOM
connotes ALL good behavior whether
SPIRITUAL or MORAL. We would therefore
translate Dt12-28 as follows
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Observe all these items that I God command you
In order that it will be Good for you...
When you Do the MORAL & PROPER in the eyes of God
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In summary: we can view this Rashi as EITHER
- uncovering the meaning of SYNONYMS
- uncovering the meaning of a new IDIOM
Since the word GOOD can refer to socially
good behavior (eg Gn26-29) we prefer to classify this
Rashi as clarifying the meaning of an IDIOM.
EXAMPLE 2: LAYMOR Nu12-13b Nu27-15b
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The Hebrew word LAYMOR is the INFINITIVE of the root
AMR which means TO SAY. The word LAYMOR acquires
NEW MEANING, IDIOMATIC usage:
- LAYMOR means FOR RESPONSE (TO SAY back)
- LAYMOR means FOR TRANSMISSION (TO SAY over)
- LAYMOR means A RUMOR (Something TO BE SAID over and over)
EXAMPLE 2a: Ex35-04a
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The often cited verse -
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GOD SPOKE TO MOSES FOR TRANSMISSION
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means that the instruction Moses heard was to be
transmitted to others. Similarly Rashi interprets
Ex35-04
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...This is the commandment which
God commanded me TO TRANSMIT [to you]
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EXAMPLE 2b1
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In prayer and dialog LAYMOR can powerfully connote
a requested response. Dt03-23c states
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And I petitioned God [concerning the prohibition
of going to Israel] and DEMANDED A RESPONSE
[Interestingly Gods response is: ENOUGH]
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or Nu12-13b
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And Moses pleaded with God and demanded a RESPONSE:
God please cure her
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EXAMPLE2b2 Ex20-01c
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Ex20-01c states
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God spoke to the ten commandments with REQUEST
FOR RESPONSE [Rashi: THe Jews were requested to
affirm they would observe the positive commandments
and not violate the negative commandments]
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EXAMPLE 2c Dt13-13b
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LAYMOR can connote a RUMOR said over and over
Dt13-13b states
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when you HEAR A RUMOR (said over and over)
in one of your cities [that people have gone
out and worshiped idols---then investigate]
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LIST854x below presents other examples of Biblical idioms.
LIST955m summarizes the idiomatic meanings of LAYMOR
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