Consecutive chapters:4 methods:#7 of 9
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Jul 23, 2000 #
# Rashis 159-160 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 18: Nu08-02a
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RASHI: Chapter Nu07 and Nu08 both deal with the consecration
of the of the new temple.
Chapter Nu07 deals with the gifts brought by the heads of
each tribe. These gifts consisted of vessels and sacrifices
By contrast Nu08 deals with the Priests function to light
the Golden candellabrah in the temple.
Rashi sees an underlying unity in these 2 chapters.
Rashis point is that
--the other tribes brought RESOURCES for the temple
such as animals for sacrifices and vessels
--by contrast the priests contribute SERVICES to the
temple
EXAMPLE 19: Ex17-08a
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BACKGROUND: Ex16 tells how God provided water and Manna for
---------- the Jews. By contrast Ex17 describes how God
helped the Jews defeat Amalek. Rashi sees an underlying
unity in these two chapters in that they both show Gods
caring for us.
Rashi again makes some puns and associations
"I (God)just gave you the Manna and you think I don't
care for you. So I will let Amalek attack you and
then you will have to pray to me and be aware that
I do care for you"
But Rashis real point is that ALL the surrounding chapters
(not just 2) deal with Gods care for the Jews {LIST6}
{LIST6} {Chapters showing Gods care for the Jews}
VERSE HOW GOD CARES FOR US
========== ============================================
Ex13-17:22 God takes us out of Egypt
Ex14-01:25 God splits the sea to save us from Egypt
Ex14-26:31 God drowns the Egyptians in the sea
Ex15-22:26 God sweetens sour water for the 600,000 Jews
Ex16-01:36 God provides the Jews with Manna food
Ex17-01:16 God saves the Jews from Amalek
Thus we see that the theme of this entire segment of the
book of Exodus deals with Gods care for us.
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