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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 Nu22-09a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1223.htm
      Brief Summary: God uses conversational styles with many prophets. The conversational openers facilitate repentance. Unfortunately in some prophets they facilitate rebellion. In some they facilitate preparation.

Today we ask the database query: Is God formal or does He use conversation openers to soften people up? The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine. These database queries yield the list below. The list justifies the following Rashi inference: God does use conversation openers and conversational styles. (1) Some prophets use these conversation openers which soften the confrontation and repent. (2) Some prophets obstinately continue their sin despite the conversation openers. (3) With some people (who did not sin) the conversational chatty style prepares them for a difficult prophecy. The list below presents the results of the database query and show examples

Verse Text of conversation opener Person involved Effect of Conversation opener
Gn04-09 Where is your brother (Abel)? Kayin Further rebellion
Gn03-09 Where are you? Adam Further Rebellion
Nu22-09 Who visited you? Bilam Further Rebellion
Is39-03 Who visited you? Chizkiyahu Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy-exile
Ez37-03 Can bones live? Ezekiel Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy-resurrection
1Sa03-04 Samuel, Samuel? Samuel Repent and prepare for difficult prophecy (Punishment of Eli)
Gn22-02b Take you 1) son, 2) only son, 3) that you love, 4) Isaac Abraham Prepare for difficult task - sacrifice of Isaac
Gn12-01f Leave a) your country, b) your birthplace, c)your fatherland Abraham Prepare for difficult task - exile

Advanced Rashi: The above Rashi is a treat. The Rashi is based upon a Midrash Rabbah. Rashi, in his usual terse style does not bring all examples. I have brought the full Midrash Rabbah to show how Rashi takes an entire Midrash and make a Rashi.

Of special note in this example is the fact that God, Himself,uses conversation openers. Rashi-ists frequently teach us that every word of the Torah must have some hidden deep meaning. This is not so! What is true is that every word is Holy. But holyness should not be equated with lack of redundancy. Redundancy in speech is an important social skill that enables us to maintain social relations. And if verbal redundancy has moral value (for our social relationships) it is a strong reason for God Himself setting an example and showing us how to use conversation openers.

Finally we point out Rashi's sense of humor. Rashi is not, like the Midrash Rabbah, a stuffy professor with elaborate database queries. Rashi also avoids playing the sermonist - that God used conversational openers to get people to repent. After all, Rashi would say, Bilam didn't repent. Indeed, he was evil. How could he repent. So Rashi humourously says God used a conversation opener to make him fail - Bilam would think God is asking the question because He didn't know and further rebel. From a psychological point of view the Rashi gives insights: Bilam was incapable of having a social life. He didn't even recognize a conversation opener when it was given to him. Everything with Bilam was an issue of power. No wonder he failed!


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