Why are words REPEATED REPEATED:#13 of 14
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OVERVIEW:
========
This module deals with Rashis which comment on verses with
>REPEATED WORDS<. The basic technique for >REPEATED WORDS<
was succinctly formulated by the MALBIM
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When a word is >REPEATED< unnecessarily then the
sentence with that word refers to >NON-STANDARD NUANCES<
The examples will illustrate how this is implemented
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TODAYS UNIT
===========
In todays unit we review two final examples which summarizes
two fundamental approaches to dealing with repetition. Tomorrow
we will present the >GRAND SUMMARY< which presents 4 methods
for dealing with REPETITION.
REFERENCE:
=========
A lengthier version of todays module may be found at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h8n19.htm (Will be up Sunday)
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
EXAMPLE 29: Dt33-18a
EXAMPLE 30: Gn47-02a
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BACKGROUND
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Rashi here cites a fundamental controversy in approach
to REPETITION. Genesis Rabbah 95:04 and Baba Kama 92a
both deal with the problem that of the 12 tribes
blessed by Moses only 5 of them have their names
repeated in the blessing (in Dt33). Thus eg it says
>And to DAN Moses said/blessed: May DAN be like a lion<
Thus this blessing REPEATS the word DAN while other
blessings use pronouns when re-refering to the tribes.
TWO APPROACHES
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Genesis Rabbah suggests that these 5 people were the
>STRONGEST< of the tribes (So REPETITION denotes
the CHOICEST). By contrast, Baba Kamma suggests that
these 5 were the >WEAKEST< (So REPETITION denotes
that they are tribes in >ANY< circumstances EVEN
though they are not as strong as the other tribes).
A FINAL DECISION
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After reviewing this controversy in Gn47-02a, Rashi
decides in Dt33-18a in favor of the TALMUD.
Using our previous examples we can easily understand why
>REPETITION< can only denote >CHOICEST< if there is
some other EMPHASIS INDICATOR like >THE< or >OF<
This is illustrated in Wednesdays and Tuesdays postings
Such examples as
--THE HOLY of HOLIES
--a SABBATH OF SABBATHS
--the GREENEST OF GREENS
all indicate emphasis on the choicest and best
By contrast we have seen that >REPETITION< unaccompanied
by emphasis usually indicates a broadening of meaning--
it denotes the concept in >ANY< circumstances.For example
--JUSTICE JUSTICE PURSUE (RASHI: Even if he was guilty
and accidentally acquitted)
--CIRCUMCISE CIRCUMCISE (RASHI: Even not on the 8th day)
--Isaac GREW GREW: (RASHI: Even his manure was coveted)
THE BOTTOM LINE
---------------
So the verses with the REPETITION of the tribes names would
mean eg:>DAN DAN IS A LION< RASHI: Even when you dont live
up to my expectation and even if you are weak
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