align-17


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 GOALS
=====
This module studies the ALIGNMENT method in Rashi. In this
method 2 different verses are found to be ALMOST the same.
The verses are lined up and the minor differences between
them function as footnotes illuminating the text.


TODAYS UNIT
===========
In todays unit we align 3 verses dealing with cross-
examination of witnesses.


REFERENCE:
=========
Todays unit comes from the following posting


http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt13-15a.htm


#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#




ALIGNMENT OF 3 CHAPTERS ON CROSS EXAMINIATION #1
 

EXAMPLE 37: Dt13-15a Cross examine for time-place of crime
EXAMPLE 38: Dt19-18a Cross examine with 3 types of questions

BACKGROUND
----------
A variety of crimes are mentioned in the Torah. The concept
of CROSS EXAMINING witnesses who see a crime is mentioned
in 3 of these crimes. The 3 crimes where cross examination
are mentioned are: Idolatry, Seducing a city to Idolatry,
and Perjury.

THE TEXT
--------
The text of the 3 verses is presented below. The verses
all seem to say the same thing: CROSS EXAMINE WELL. However
there are about half a dozen minor differences from which
Rashi will infer laws.

THE RASHI
---------
Following the procedure we have been employing in this
ALIGNMENT unit, I will derive the laws Rashi mentions
by simple alignments of the verses. This derivation
greatly illuminates Rashi who seems to use different
methods. However we are using the same method Rashi
used in the other ALIGNMENTS in this series. Further
comments are made in the main postings.

Here is the LIST.
VERSE PHRASE1 PHRASE2 PHRASE3 PHRASE4

Dt13-15 & you shall SEEK INVESTIGATE, and ASK WELL
Dt17-04 & you shall SEEK WELL
Dt19-18 & the judges will SEEK WELL
Differs *1 *2 *3 *2

COMMENTS

*1 There is no significance to the differences here

*2 These phrases are identical. The repeated word ASK WELL
   creates an emphasis: Dont just do routine cross
   examination but pester the witnesses..make SURE it is true

*3 The contrast that one verse has 3 TYPES of questions while
   the other verses only have 1 TYPE of question creates an
   emphasis: The CROSS EXAMINATION must have multiple question
   types: Chazal (Rambam Sanhedrin Chapters 1 and 2) enumerated
   3 types of cross-examination questions

   --ROUTINE QUESTIONS - WHAT HAPPENED(e.g. he worshipped idols)
   --PROBING QUESTIONS - WHEN-WHERE did it happen
   --DIGGING QUESTIONS - e.g What was he wearing; what colors?

   These 3 types of questions correspond to the 3 verbs used:
   --ASK (ShaAL)    = ROUTINE QUESTIONS
   --PROBE (DaRaSh) = PROBING QUESTIONS
   --DIG (ChaKaR    = Dig, Ask) = i.e. Pester with details

   Further support for these 3 questions types will be
   provided below. In passing I note that Jewish law
   requires 6 questions on time: (In what DECADE(actually
   7 yer cycle) YEAR, MONTH, DAY of MONTH, WEEKDAY, HOUR,
   did the crime happen.

   According to strict Jewish law we ask only one question on
   PLACE. I suggest in the main posting that we ALSO ask
   6 questions on place: In what COUNTRY, STATE, CITY,
   ZIP CODE, STREET, ADDRESS, did the crime happen. But
   this is a conjecture on my part without further support.




ALIGNMENT OF 3 CHAPTERS ON CROSS EXAMINIATION #2
 
Continuation of table on Cross examination
VERSE PHRASE1 PHRASE2 PHRASE3

Dt13-15 and BEHOLD it is true it is well founded
Dt17-04 and BEHOLD it is true it is well founded
Dt19-18 and BEHOLD 
*2 *4 *5

COMMENTS

*2 These phrases are the same. The repeated phrase AND BEHOLD
   creates an emphasis: Ask the witnesses so many questions
   that you will be surprised that they agree

*4 From the fact that the phrase IT IS TRUE is not repeated
   in all verses, it appears that an EMPHASIS is created:
   Ask the witnesses questions that would destroy their
   testimony EVEN if it has nothing to do with the TRUTH:

   Consequently witnesses are asked what the Talmud calls
   NON-RELEVANT QUESTIONS: e.g. What color socks was he
   wearing, was he wearing a tie, what color was his shirt..
   If the witnesses disagreed in one of these details then
   EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NO RELEVANCE to the crime committed
   (e.g. a murder) then the testimony is invalidated.

*5 I would apply the same reasoning here as I did in
   footnote #4



ALIGNMENT OF 3 CHAPTERS ON CROSS EXAMINIATION #3
 
Continuation of table on Cross examination
VERSE PHRASE1 PHRASE2

Dt13-15 this horrible thing happened in your midst
Dt17-04 this horrible thing happened in Israel
Dt19-18 
*2 *7

COMMENTS

*2 This phrase is the same in 2 of the verses. I would
   suggest that HORROR is only mentioned on Capital
   crimes. The 3rd crime mentioned in Dt19-18, perjury,
   need not be a capital crime as e.g. if witnesses
   claim that someone owes someone money.

*7 I dont know of a reason for this difference



#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#

ALIGNMENT OF 3 CHAPTERS ON CROSS EXAMINIATION #1
EXAMPLE 37: Dt13-15a Cross examine for time-place of crime EXAMPLE 38: Dt19-18a Cross examine with 3 types of questions BACKGROUND ---------- A variety of crimes are mentioned in the Torah. The concept of CROSS EXAMINING witnesses who see a crime is mentioned in 3 of these crimes. The 3 crimes where cross examination are mentioned are: Idolatry, Seducing a city to Idolatry, and Perjury. THE TEXT -------- The text of the 3 verses is presented below. The verses all seem to say the same thing: CROSS EXAMINE WELL. However there are about half a dozen minor differences from which Rashi will infer laws. THE RASHI --------- Following the procedure we have been employing in this ALIGNMENT unit, I will derive the laws Rashi mentions by simple alignments of the verses. This derivation greatly illuminates Rashi who seems to use different methods. However we are using the same method Rashi used in the other ALIGNMENTS in this series. Further comments are made in the main postings. Here is the LIST.
VERSE	PHRASE1	PHRASE2	PHRASE3	PHRASE4
Dt13-15	& you shall	SEEK	INVESTIGATE, and ASK	WELL
Dt17-04	& you shall	SEEK		WELL
Dt19-18	& the judges will	SEEK		WELL
Differs	*1	*2	*3	*2

COMMENTS
1 There is no significance to the differences here 2 These phrases are identical. The repeated word ASK WELL creates an emphasis: Dont just do routine cross examination but pester the witnesses..make SURE it is true *3 The contrast that one verse has 3 TYPES of questions while the other verses only have 1 TYPE of question creates an emphasis: The CROSS EXAMINATION must have multiple question types: Chazal (Rambam Sanhedrin Chapters 1 and 2) enumerated 3 types of cross-examination questions --ROUTINE QUESTIONS - WHAT HAPPENED(e.g. he worshipped idols) --PROBING QUESTIONS - WHEN-WHERE did it happen --DIGGING QUESTIONS - e.g What was he wearing; what colors? These 3 types of questions correspond to the 3 verbs used: --ASK (ShaAL) = ROUTINE QUESTIONS --PROBE (DaRaSh) = PROBING QUESTIONS --DIG (ChaKaR = Dig, Ask) = i.e. Pester with details Further support for these 3 questions types will be provided below. In passing I note that Jewish law requires 6 questions on time: (In what DECADE(actually 7 yer cycle) YEAR, MONTH, DAY of MONTH, WEEKDAY, HOUR, did the crime happen. According to strict Jewish law we ask only one question on PLACE. I suggest in the main posting that we ALSO ask 6 questions on place: In what COUNTRY, STATE, CITY, ZIP CODE, STREET, ADDRESS, did the crime happen. But this is a conjecture on my part without further support.

ALIGNMENT OF 3 CHAPTERS ON CROSS EXAMINIATION #2
Continuation of table on Cross examination
VERSE	PHRASE1	PHRASE2	PHRASE3
Dt13-15	and BEHOLD	it is true	it is well founded
Dt17-04	and BEHOLD	it is true	it is well founded
Dt19-18	and BEHOLD
	*2	*4	*5

COMMENTS
2 These phrases are the same. The repeated phrase AND BEHOLD creates an emphasis: Ask the witnesses so many questions that you will be surprised that they agree 4 From the fact that the phrase IT IS TRUE is not repeated in all verses, it appears that an EMPHASIS is created: Ask the witnesses questions that would destroy their testimony EVEN if it has nothing to do with the TRUTH: Consequently witnesses are asked what the Talmud calls NON-RELEVANT QUESTIONS: e.g. What color socks was he wearing, was he wearing a tie, what color was his shirt.. If the witnesses disagreed in one of these details then EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NO RELEVANCE to the crime committed (e.g. a murder) then the testimony is invalidated. *5 I would apply the same reasoning here as I did in footnote #4