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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#

VERSE: Gn47-22b
RASHIS COVERED: Gn47-22b Ex15-26d Gn26-05d Ex28-43b Lv18-04b
Lv19-19a Nu09-03a Nu19-02a
Gn47-22b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04


SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
The word Chok means INTRINSIC REQUIREMENT. Hence it refers
to any FIXED requirement such as a non-changing tax or law.

EXAMPLE
-------
* A 20% tax (without variation is called a chok)
* The charity laws depend on the degree of poverty
Hence these laws are called MITZVAH not CHOK
* The adultery laws are absolute and independent of
hardship. Hence these laws are called Chok
ITEM DETAIL
RASHI RULE CLASS: WORD MEANINGS
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS SYNONYMS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #7
SEE BELOW LIST955e
List of verses with word CHOK = basic unvarying law
LIST955e
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04

List of verses with word CHOK = basic unvarying law
VERSE CHOK refers to Which is called CHOK
Gn47-22b 20% Tax rate on land Fixed tax without variation
Ex28-43b Priestly clothes Law absolute, not dependent*1
Nu09-03a Laws on Passver animal Laws on animal not external*2
Ex15-26d Fixed Jewish laws Absolute laws*3
Gn26-05d Fixed Jewish Laws Absolute laws*3
Lv18-04b Fixed Jewish laws Absolute laws*3
Lv19-19a Fixed Jewish laws Absolute laws*3
Nu19-02a Fixed Jewish Laws Absolute laws*3
COMMENTS
 
*1 e.g. Certain laws are dependent on residency in Israel
or on statuses. The law that Priests MUST wear Priestly
clothes is ABSOLUTE and not dependent on anything. Hence
the Rashi
--------------------------------------------------
The law was effective IMMEDIATELY and for all
generations (i.e. not dependent on anything)
---------------------------------------------------

*2 There are two types of Passover laws
- those dealing with the Passover animal sacrifice itself
- other Passover sacrifice laws independent of animal
Chok refers to laws dealing with the animal itself
This is consistent with a CHOKs meaning of INTRINSIC
The CHOK refers to the animal itself, not the externals

*3 Perhaps an example will help. A law like charity is
DEPENDENT on POVERTY. If a person is poor I give
charity. Otherwise I dont. The more poor the person
is the more charity I give. Hence charity is not a
CHOK law. By contrast the prohibition of incest or
adultery is ABSOLUTE -- it applys in all circumstances -
even if it causes hardship. Hence the adultery laws are
ABSOLUTE and called CHOK. By contrast, laws like charity
which are dependent on reason are called MITZVAH.

Because these laws do not DEPENED on external factors
they are sometimes erroneously said to be laws WITHOUT
REASONS. However all laws have reasons. Rather the correct
statement is that the REASONS ARE ABSOLUTE and dont vary
the law like charity.

Rashi mentions that
-------------------------------------------------------
Because these laws are absolute the non Jews tease us:
- Why do you observe these laws--they dont have reasons
-------------------------------------------------------
This simply means that the laws aren't situational but
absolute and therefore the non Jews tease us. It does
not mean that the laws have no reason.

Finally Rav Hirsch cites Pr30-08
------------------------------------------------------
...Don't give me riches or poverty
...(rather) give me my (daily) NEEDED/INTRINSIC BREAD
------------------------------------------------------
Rav Hirsch points out that Chok clearly does not mean
irrational in this verse (My irrational bread) but
rather refers to ones basic intrinsic needs that dont
vary.
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2004, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#