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      10. RASHI METHOD: SYMBOLISM
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi provides symbolic interpretations of words, verses, and chapters. Rashi can symbolically interpret either
      • (10a) entire Biblical chapters such as the gifts of the princes, Nu-07
      • (10b) individual items, verses and words
      The rules governing symbolism and symbolic interpretation are presented in detail on my website.

      This examples applies to Rashis Ex29-24b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1404.htm
      Brief Summary: The peace offerings had the WAIVING-RAISING ceremony: The WAIVING to the 4 quarters of the world AFFIRMS the multiplicity of world personalities; the RAISING up/down affirms holiness.

Verse Ex29-24b discusses the waiving-raising ceremony of the peace offering. This ceremony requires waiving-raising the breast and thigh of the offering; the waiving is done in four directions - east, north, west and south. The raising is done in two directions - up and down. Rashi following the Talmud, Menacoth 62a explains the symbolism (Davka translation provided below).

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We can explain this symbolism as follows: The breast covers the heart, the seat of emotions; the thigh is the organ of motion, the activity of persual. The waiving in four directions symbolically affirms the acceptance of people from the entire world. By accepting all people one wards off depression which typically comes from a confrontation with a not-understood personality. The raising up and down symbolically affirms the presence of heaven and hell; the awareness of heaven and hell prevents foul language. Together the waiving and raising procedure facilitate persual of ones desires without depression and with an atmosphere of dignity. It is interesting that the Bible finds a remedy to depression and foul language in the awareness of the multiplicity of world personalities and the awareness of the reality of heaven and hell.

Advanced Rashi: Rashi literally says that the waiving prevents violent winds while the raising prevents bad dews. However I have, consistent with the whole Rashi passage, interpreted this symbolically: The Hebrew word for depression is bad wind; a Hebrew word for words is drops. Hence I believe the above symbolic interpretation justified. Notice how I also connect the symbol and symbolized - because a person is aware of the multiplicity of world personalities therefore (s)he does not undergo depresion.


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