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      8. RASHI METHOD: DATABASES
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi makes inferences from Database queries. The precise definition of database query has been identified in modern times with the 8 operations of Sequential Query Language (SQL).

      This example applies to Rashis Nu16-01d
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu03-29a.htm
      Brief Summary: Neighborhood influences character.

Today we ask the database query: Does one's neighborhood influence character? To answer the query recall that the Jews camped in a square in the wilderness. Each side of the square had 3 tribes. The southern side of the camp had Reuben, Shimon, and Gad.

The table below shows that although the national census remained stable (a drop of only -0.3%) between the first and second census, nevertheless, the southern side of the camp dropped 30%. In the table below we identify sins of each of the southern-side tribes. Overall the table gives a picture that bad people tend to live with bad people, suggesting that one should avoid bad neighborhoods when one can.

There are a wealth of philosophical questions connected with such an approach. We, like Rashi, suffice with noting the results of the table leaving each person to make their own inferences!

Verse 1st Census Tribe Verse 2nd Census Percent Decrease Possible sin/reason>
Nu02-11 46,500 Reuben Nu26-07 43,730 -6% Korach Rebellion
Nu02-13 59,300 Shimon Nu26-12 22,200 -63% Prostitution with Moabites
Nu02-15 45,650 Gad Nu26-18 40,500 -11% Rejecting Land of Israel
Sum 151,450 South Side Sum 106,430 -30% Above sins
Nu01-46 603,550 Nation Nu26-51 601,730 -0.3% Nation didn't sin

Advanced Rashi: Rashi actually states The Kehathite branch of the Levites (from which Korach who rebelled came) lived near the southern camp. This facilitated the association of Levi and Reuben. We have generalized the approach of Rashi. We seek all people associated with the southern side and review their behavior. The review shows that the Rashi comment - people who live together get involved in the same type of moral behavior - is true in general and does not apply only to the Kehatites-Reubenites. Such a generalizing approach enriches our understanding of Rashi and is therefore the proper method to be used.

Sermonic points: Todays Rashi is already sermonic - Good neighborhoods have positive influence! Bad neighborhoods have negative influence!


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