Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#6 of 9
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Jul 22, 2000 #
# Rashis 157-158 Of 7800 (2.0%) #
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In this unit we will explore the 2 dozen Rashis
studying "consecutive paragraphs". Why does it
happen that 2 consecutive Torah paragraphs come one
after the other.
It turns out there are 4 methods by which Rashi
explains consecutive Torah paragraphs.
In these final units of this module we explore the
4th method. Here is a brief summary of the 4 methods
METHOD 1: The 1st chapter is a CAUSE of the 2nd chapter
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EXAMPLE:The chapter on the Nazaarite who abstains from wine
(Nu06) is written right after the chapter on the Temple
rite for the women suspected of adultery(Nu05).
This teachers us the obvious lesson that whoever sees a women
who has to go thru the adulterous wife ceremony(which is
very humiliating) will be so shocked that they will become a
Nazaarite and abstain from wine.
In other words the adulterous wife ritual CAUSES
nazaaritism(Nu06-02a)
METHOD 2: The 1st chapter is a MERIT ENABLING the 2nd
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EXAMPLE: The chapter on going to war (Dt20) is written AFTER
the chapter on court procedures (Dt19).
This teaches the obvious fact that a just judicial system will
be a MERIT that enables us to win wars(Rashi on Dt20-01a)
METHOD 3: The 2nd chapter holds DESPITE the 1st chapter
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EXAMPLE: Thus Lv19-03c says "honor your parents" &
observe the Shabbath.
This is interpreted to mean that we should observe the
sabbath DESPITE the fact that eg our parents told us
to desecrate it (In other words if there is a conflict
between honoring ones parents and keeping the
Sabbath the Sabbath wins)
METHOD 4: The 2 chapters have a common theme
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In the following examples, Rashi sees a COMMON THEME in
consecutive paragraphs. However, to fully appreciate Rashi
we must not only superficially see this common theme in the
GIVEN TWO paragraphs, we must also see this common theme in
ALL SURROUNDING paragraphs.
We now continue exploring the COMMON THEME method
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
EXAMPLES
--------
In the following examples, Rashi sees a COMMON THEME in
consecutive paragraphs. However, to fully appreciate Rashi
we must not only superficially see this common theme in the
GIVEN TWO paragraphs, we must also see this common theme in
ALL SURROUNDING paragraphs.
EXAMPLE 16: Nu15-41d
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RASHI: The chapter on the punishment for the desecration of
the Shabbath comes after the chapter on the punishment for
idolatry because both these laws are equal in importance
to the whole Torah and all of Judaism
But as Rashi explicitly says
"This ENTIRE chapter deals with laws which are EQUAL
in importance to the whole Torah and all of Judaism"
See {LIST4} which gives the contents of the whole chapter
{LIST4} {Commandments equal in importance to the whole Torah}
VERSE MITZVAH WHY THIS COMMANDMENT IS FUNDAMENTAL
========= ======== ===================================
Nu15-22:31 Idolatry Acceptance of God is fundamental
Nu15-32:36 Sabbath Acknowledging Gods creation
Nu15-37-41 Tzitzith Helps remember ALL commandments(Nu15-40)
Thus we see that Rashi was not ONLY connecting two commandments
He was connecting all 3 commandments in the chapter--all of
them are EQUAL to the whole Torah.
EXAMPLE 17: Dt33-07a
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This chapter deals with the blessings that Moses gave the
Jewish people before his death. Rashi discusses the ORDER
OF TRIBES that Moses blessed.
Rashi was the master of puns and coincidences. Rashi notes
that Reuben repented from the sin of inteferring with
his fathers marital life. Rashi notes
"Reuben repenting from his sin encouraged Judah
to repent from his sins (of recommending selling
Joseph and of sentencing Tamar to death)"
Actually, Rashi suggests that the WHOLE chapter of Dt33
is organized by the theme of repentance. Those tribes
that are known for their repentance are listed first
while those who are not so well known are listed later
See {LIST5}
{LIST5} {Ordering of Dt33 by the common theme of repentance}
Tribe What sin did they abstain/repent from
====== =====================================
Reuben He inteferred with his fathers marital life (Gn49-04)
Judah He repented from trying to execute Tamar(Gn38-26)
Levi This tribe did not sin with the Golden calf(Ex33-26)
Bnyamin Binyamin never sinned(see our explanations of Gn45-14)
Joseph Joseph outgrew his immaturity & became king(Gn37-02)
We could continue this list. The main point is that every
tribe did some type of abstention from sin. Moses organized
the chapter around this repentance theme. This--repentance--
is a fitting theme to the end of Deuteronomy where Moses
speaks about repentance.
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