How Rashi uses dataabase methods:#1 of 3
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        ========= SPECIAL FEATURE ====================

        This unit shows the difference in approach
          DR HENDEL vs THE YELLOW BOOK (Shaaray Aaron)

        ALSO Please visit my RASHI-WORD SUMMARY at
          http://www.Rashiyomi.com/words.htm
        ==============================================


GOALS:
------
We have completed the previous units. The GRAND
SUMMARIES will be up Sunday.Today we start a
short unit. We show how DATABASE methods can help
resolve an impossible Rashi that contradicts
many verses.

TODAYS UNIT
-----------
We present the basic methodology of understanding
Rashis from Databases and apply it to Gn15-05a.


REFERENCE:
----------
This module comes from the following reference in the
Rashi-is-Simple series.

http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn15-05a.htm
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h10n21.htm


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


==== THEOSAURUS OF SEE: Some words mean WATCH,SPY,GAZE ====


 The synonym (Theosaurus) Database
 -------------------------------------------
 The key to understanding Gn15-05a is to review synonyms
 of the word TO SEE. Standard Theosaurii (SYNONYM
 databases) yield the following entries as synonymous
 with TO SEE:
 ---------------------------------------------------
 LOOK EXAMINE SCRUTINIZE GAZE APPRAISE GLANCE
 STARE ASCERTAIN SPY WATCH ASSESS SURVEY
 OVERLOOK SCAN OBSERVE
 ----------------------------------------------------
 Let us now apply this to Gn15-05a

 THE RASHI ON Gn15-05a
 ------------------------------------------------------
 Rashis approach is that it is a mistake
 to simply translate a variety of Hebrew roots -- such
 as NBaT, ShKaF, SeVeH, RaAH, TzaFeH -- as TO SEE.
 Rashis contribution is that NEBAT doesnt just mean
 to see, but rather NEBAT means TO ASSESS. By selecting
 the right SYNONYM of seeing (assessment) Rashi makes a
 contribution to our understanding of meaning. And Rashi
 does this by reviewing the SYNONYM DATABASE for TO SEE.


 FURTHER INSIGHTS ON THIS VERSE
 ------------------------------
 Finally footnote *1 contains a beautiful Midrash Rabbah
 listing 7 methods of Repentance and explains the 3 opinions
 cited by the Midrash Rabbah

 Let us now look at the Rashis for synonyms of TO SEE. The
 footnotes provide verse support for our translations.
 The following list shows the SYNONYMS that best translate
 the Hebrew roots. We also cite Rashi as well as indicate
 what database queries support his claim.

============================================================
ROOT  SYNONYMS OF TO SEE       RASHI     DBase-1   DBase-2
===== ======================== ========  ========  ========
RaAH  To see
NeBT  To assess/examine        Gn15-05a  verses*1

NOTES
=====
*1 Rashi seems to say that NEBAT means looking from ABOVE
   to below. But In The following verses
   --the SEEING is from BELOW TO ABOVE
   --the translation TO ASSESS fits better
   -------------------------------------------------------
   1King19-06 He ASSESSED & above his head was a cookie
   Nu21-09    ASSESS the copper snake(it is inanimate)&live
   Ps34-06    I ASSESS to God--I stream to him my prayers
   Isa22-11   You make defences but dont ASSESS the Maker
   Gn15-05    ASSESS your heavenly (vs earthly) merit
   --------------------------------------------------------
   Thus using the database of VERSES we can find support
   that NEBAT means to ASSESS.

  As Maharzu explains God did not take Abraham off the
  planet (indeed even Moses and Elijah never left the
  planet). Rather God said to Abraham ASSESS HEAVEN..ASSESS
  THE STARS...Other nations base themselves
  on astrology (stars) while you have in your past already
  relied on God (eg Abrahams wife Sarah was saved from Rape
  by Avimelech because he was a prophet Gn20).

  Thus Maharzu translates Gn15-05a as
  -----------------------------------------------
  Please assess your heavenly merit--count the ways of
  the astrologers--your heavenly merit has already
  saved you from other nations (eg Avimelech); your
  progeny will also surpass the astrological nations
  ---------------------------------------------------


  ---Another approach on this verse suggests that God
  commanded Abraham to repent from Astrology and become
  spiritual. This Midrash Rabbah (44:12) lists the 7
  famous methods which help annul bad decrees
  -------------------------------------------
  REPENTANCE PRAYER CHARITY CHANGE-NAME
  CHANGE-PLACE GOOD-DEEDS FASTING
  -------------------------------------------

  Both these approaches interpret the verse to mean
  that Abraham should ASSESS (NBT) his heavenly merit.
  But one approach holds that God told him that HE ALREADY
  was above the stars while another approach told him
  that he WOULD be one day above the stars. Thus the two
  approaches only differ in WHEN Abrham would reach this
  level.

============================================================

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