#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
-----------------------------------------------------------
| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President |
| http://www.RashiYomi.Com |
| PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE: Dt06-07a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt06-07a Dt28-37c Dt28-37b Dt07-02b
Dt06-20a Ex13-14a
====================== METHODS in WORD MEANINGS =================
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
One of Rashis main goals is to explain unusual nuances of
words the same way a dictionary does. Several methods are
illustrated in this posting: Here are some sample Rashis
-- To EXAMPLE someone is to MAKE AN EXAMPLE of them
-- To SHARP an idea is to make PITHY/SHARP remarks on it
-- TOMORROW:FUTURE::HONEY:SWEET::BREAD::FOOD:WATER::LIQUIDS
-- To GRACE someone is to say HOW GRACEFUL (s)he is, that is,
to say nice things about someone.
Thus Dt28-37c states JEWS WILL BECOME PROVERBS--so e.g people
who have been tortured will be told YOU HAVE BEEN HOLOCASTED
------------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: NEW MEANINGS
------------------------------------------------------
BRIED DESCRIPTION OF RULE and SUBRULE
-------------------------------------
One of Rashis 6 main goals was to function like a dictionary
and present the meanings of words. In presenting the meanings
of words, Rashi, very often had to EXTEND a given meaning to
a new meaning. There are rules and patterns governing such
extensions. We present below 8 methods for EXTENDING MEANING
We also present 13 methods for INFERRING meaning. These 21
methods, together, are the toolkit by which Rashi, following
Chazal, gives new insights on meaning.
The STANDARD EXAMPLES (from English, not from Rashi) show
some simple examples of EXTENDING MEANING These are further
elaborated in the lists.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Consider the English phrases UNITED NATIONS and PENTAGON.
They are both institutions.
-- The UNITED NATIONS names an institution based on its PURPOSE
-- The PENTAGON names an institution based on its SHAPE/FORM
So we see that SHAPE and FORM are two METHODS for extending
meaning.
Some other common examples would be using fruits to
denote color--e.g. she wore an ORANGE dress. SO IF A NEW FRUIT
was discovered and someone wore a dress with the same color
you could IMMEDIATELY coin a new term to describe that color
by using the new fruit you had just seen. This is exactly
what Rashi is doing on many of these verses.
THE LISTS
---------
We present below 5 lists
-- We list 8 methods by which meanings can be extended
Two of these methods (FUNCTION and FORM) are mentioned above
-- We present the 13 methods by which meaning can be justified
The EXTENSION and JUSTIFICATION lists highly overlap
-- We present a list of Rashis where meaning is inferred from
ONE OTHER VERSE WITH THAT WORD
-- We present a list of Rashis where meaning is inferred from
NOUN-VERB interchanges
-- We present a list of Rashis where meaning is extended thru
a GOOD EXAMPLE(e.g. HONEY by extension means ANYTHING sweet)
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.RashiYomi.com/naming-8.htm
(8 methods for naming objects)
http://www.RashiYomi.com/means-32.htm
(13 methods for Proving a meaning)
Note these two postings are related but distinct. In
retrospect however there is much overlap which is why I
am bringing them together.
You can also visit the RASHI CALENDAR to see the
individual postings making up these series.
The Rashi calendar may be found at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/calendar1.htm
The NAMING & MEANING Daily Rashi series were presented
in June and July 2001.
HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LIST below for school projects.
Here are 2 examples:
EXAMPLE 1: Suppose you are a teacher and you
encounter a Rashi using the method of GOOD EXAMPLES
(e.g. BREAD can mean FOOD). Then you can ask your students
to present other ENGLISH examples of GOOD EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 2: Suppose you are a teacher and you encounter
a Rashi using the method of NOUN-VERB interchanges (e.g.
TO DUST a table). Then you can ask your students to
present other ENGLISH examples of NOUN-VERB interchanges.
References for the Rashis used in these 2 examples are
presented in the LISTS below.
The students can then compare their lists with either
the lists I provide or with lists of Rashis based on this
technique. Such comparisons lead to a more mature
appreciation of Rashi.
TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
We present the first LIST: 8 methods of naming objects.
Thus the UNITED NATIONS is named by its function.
The other 4 LISTS are presented afterwards.
=================================================================
# METHOD USED EXAMPLE
=== ============================= ==============================
(1) The FUNCTION of the object (eg United nations),
(2) The SUBSTANCE of the object (eg the PLASTER),
(3) The CAUSE of the phenomena (eg Sunset),
(4) How the act FEELS (eg HARDship).
(5) The FORM of the object (eg Pentagon)
(6) By EXAGGERATION (eg SkyScraper)
(7) By a GOOD EXAMPLE (eg HONEY means anything SWEET)
(8) By ACTIVITY-FORM (eg SURFing the web)
==================================================================
============ VERSES - ONE VERSE LINK METHOD =====================
Sometimes just ONE OTHER VERSE will clarify a usage. For
example, Lv08-09 says HE PLACED THE MITZNEFET on his
head. Hence, I infer that the MITZNEFET was a HAT.
In this case I used ONE OTHER VERSE to make an inference.
Todays example is on the bottom
=================================================================
METHOD VERSE RASHI
====== ======== ================================================
Verse Ex28-04f You BELT the AVNAYT==>AVNAYT means BELT
Verse Ex28-04c You WEAR the MEIL====>MEIL means ROBE
Verse Ex28-04e Place the MTZNEFET on HEAD===>MITZNEFET=Hat
Verse Jo22-27 TOMORROW your children will say=>TOMORROW=futur*1
NOTES
-----
*1 As Rashi says on Dt06-20a and Ex13-14a
-----------------------------------------------
Tomorrow can mean either TOMORROW or the FUTURE
-----------------------------------------------
The Jo22-27 verse PROVES Rashis point.
The method by which the word tomorrow, EXTENDS to
mean the future is the GOOD EXAMPLE method (eg
HONEY means SWEET) and is presented in the next list
==================================================================
================= EXTENSION THRU GOOD EXAMPLES ===================
Other examples of common words that have general
and specific meanings (or are named by exaggeration) are
prsented below. Todays example is added on the bottom.
===================================================================
WORD NARROW MEANING BROAD MEANING
================== ======================= ========================
Day can mean the 12 hour period or the 24 hour period
Bread can mean Bread or Any Food
Man (ISH)can mean Male or Any person
E-L-H-I-M can mean God or Any Judge
IN IN or AMONG
Table Top of Table or Whole Table
Candellabrah Main shaft or Whole utensil*1
TOMORROW Very Next day or The FUTURE*2
NOTES
-----
*1 Ex25-31e Ex25-34a
*2 Rashi on Dt06-20a and Ex13-14a
This list shows HOW tomorrow gets the new meaning of FUTURE
In the previous list we showed how to PROVE that in fact in
the Bible TOMORROW means FUTURE (by citing a verse with this
usage, Jos22-27)
================================================================
======== GRAMMAR - SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS ====================
GRAMMAR: SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS:
Here are 3 ways for an OBJECT to become an activity
--TO MAKE the object (eg to flower)
--TO USE the object (Eg to hammer)
--TO REMOVE the object (eg to dust)
I refer to these methods as SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS.
It is the method by which an OBJECT(noun) becomes an
ACTIVITY (verb). Rashis job is to clarify WHICH
semantic transformation is being used. The list below
also contains transformations of VERBS and ADJECTIVES
The last 4 rows contain new Rashis which we are adding.
=================================================================
VERSE RASHI
======== ========================================================
Nu04-13b To Dust= REMOVE Dust
Ex16-20b To Worm=To PRODUCE Worms
Dt07-02b To GRACE= To say NICE THINGS about someone*1
Dt28-37b To EXAMPLE=To MAKE an EXAMPLE of someone*2
Dt28-37c To SHARP=Coin new phrases based on vivid experience*3
Dt06-07a You shall SHARP your learning*4
NOTES
-----
*1 That is to make the person appear GRACEFUL*10
*2 Thus a nation that experienced an unusual death loss
would be said to have been HOLOCASTED. The Jewish HOLOCAST
is therefore used as the basis of an EXAMPLE for any other
HOLOCAST. The Hebrew word Mem-Shin-Lamed actually means
EXAMPLE. So the ENGLISH and BIBLICAL metaphor are the same.
*3 e.g. At Yitzchak Rabins funeral the American President said
-----------------------------------
We have had our Yitzchak sacrificed
-----------------------------------
The president was making a pun on the sacrifice of Isaac
by Abraham. By so doing the President eulogized Rabin who
was therefore compared to a Patriarch.
The President accomplished this effect by using a SHARP
expression. The Sharp expression vividly portrays the
death of Rabin.
*4 This refers to the practice of making SHARP comments
that summarize broad legal areas.
An example of a SHARP legal statement might be
POSSESSION IS 9 TENTHS OF THE LAW (or in Hebrew, BURDEN OF
PROOF IS ON THE PERSON WHO SUES (not on the person who
POSSESSES).
These SHARP TERSE statements lay down
principles which then govern many legal applications*11
-------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ---------------------------
*10 But Rashi gives a second explanation
---------------------------------------------------
Do not let the conquered 7 nations remain in Israel
even in a ghetto
---------------------------------------------------
On this list we have adopted the position that whenever
Rashi presents 2 explanations he prefers the 2nd.
First let us clarify where the 2 explanations come from.
The Hebrew root Chet-Nun which occurs in roots like
Chet-Nun and Chet-Nun-Nun and Chet-Nun-Hey can equally
mean GRACEFUL or CAMP.
So Rashi
- can make a verb of the adjective GRACEFUL
and translate it as SAYING NICE THINGS ABOUT SOMEONE..
MAKING PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE GRACEFUL
OR
- Rashi can translate the verse using the meaning CAMP
---------------------------------------------------
Do not let the conquered nations CAMP in Israel
---------------------------------------------------
On the surface both explanations seem reasonable.
Why then does Rashi prefer the 2nd explanation?
Because it fits into the context of the verse
Here is the whole verse (Comments are in BRACKETS)
-------------------------------------------------
God will GIVE you these nation
- and you will SMITE them
- and you will EXCOMMUNICATE them
- you shall not make a TREATY with
- and you shall not let them REMAIN [even in ghettos]
--------------------------------------------------
So Rashis point was based on CONTEXT---EVEN it you
excommunicate them and EVEN if you dont make a
treaty with them you should not let them stay
even in ghettos. (In other words the verse was
talking about living with these people not about
admiring them--hence Rashi selected the meaning
CAMP vs GRACE)
*11 This is Rashis approach who bases himself on the fact
that the root Shin-Nun-Nun always means sharp
(cf Dt32-41, Ps140-04, Is05-28, Ps73-21, Dt06-07, Dt28,37)
But the Radack says that Shin-Nun-Nun means to CHAT
(DAILY TALK). So Radack gives the following translations
---------------------------------------------------
Dt28-37 Because of your suffering the non-jews will
CONSTANTLY TALK about you and make you as
as example
---------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
Dt06-06:08 These words of the BIble will be on your
mind & you will CHAT on them ...when you are in
your house, on the road, when you go to sleep
and when you get up
------------------------------------------------------
Why did Radack deviate from the straightforward meaning
of the root--Shin-nun-nun which means to sharpen--and
which is consistent with metaphors in many languages.
What is the controversy between Rashi and Radack?
It is a controversy on method.
-Rashi uses the method of UNIFYING MEANING. Rashi has one
meaning for all words using the root shin-nun-nun--namely
SHARP
- Radack uses the method of CONTEXT/PARAGRAPHING. Kindly
read the the paragraph of verses above in Dt06-06:08
Do you notice the LIST of phrases meaning be CHATTY
-- speak about them in your house
-- speak about them on the road
-- speak about them when you go to sleep
-- speak about them when you get up
Now you understand why RADACK translated SHINUN as CHAT
This translation is CONSISTENT with the rest of the
paragraph.
-- SUMMARY: Rashi and Radack dispute whether UNIFYING
MEANING or PARAGRAPH THEMES should be the preferred rule
in determining meaning.
=================================================================
===== THE 13 METHODS BY WHICH RASHI INFERS MEANING ==============
We present below a short list of methods by which Rashi infers
meaning. There are 6 main methods and 13 submethods.
For full details and footnotes see
http://www.RashiYomi.com/means-32.htm
We simply outline the methods here. Those that are controversial
are so indicated.
=================================================================
METHOD VERSE EXAMPLE
======= ======== ================================================
Expert Dt18-10b KOSAYM=Hypnotic spell(Restricting(Ksyth)artery*1
Grammar Lv16-04c TzNF(Put on a turban)=ALOT(Nun) of Overlay(Tzf*2
Grammar Lv13-49a ADMDM = Intense (Double -DM DM) Red(ADM)*3
Grammar Dt28-42a YRSH=Inherit(in Hifil),Conquer(In Kal),Poor *4
Grammar Nu04-13b To Dust= REMOVE Dust(cf To Flower=MAKE flower)*5
Grammar Dt01-15d MASTER=Master Chef, French Chef,Chef of a 100*6
Phrase Nu03-4a ON THE FACE = during the lifetime *7
Form Gn01-02a TOHU(Confusion) parallels DARKNESS(Choshch) *8
Special Nu02-03a East=FACE(kedem):West=BACK:South=RIGHT(Tayman*9
Verse Gn37-02e DBR=Talk: DBH=Chatter: GRN=Paranoic talk*10
Verse Ex28-04a Choshen=a small colored dress ornament*11
Verse Ex28-04e Place the MTZNEFET on HEAD===>MITZNEFET=Hat*12
Verse Dt28-40a NhSHal means SLIP not REMOVE/FALL *13
NOTES
=====
*1 EXPERT TESTIMONY METHOD:
The point: To find out what HYPNOSIS is I dont go
to Biblical verses or Dictionaries but go to the
expert hypnotists. Whatever they say induces trances
is how I will interpret the word KOSAYM (Rambam uses
this method also)
*2 GRAMMAR: LETTER ROOT MEANING:
I have divided GRAMMAR into several methods.
This examples illustrates the RASHI 2 letter root method
There are many examples presented in the main posting
but many people consider this method fanciful
*3 GRAMMAR: DOUBLING
ADAM means RED. ADAMDAM means INTENSE RED(ie not pinkish)
*4 GRAMMAR: ROOTS or ROOTS + PREPOSITION
Thus the root Y-R-Sh means
--To CONQUER in the HIFIL mode
--to INHERIT in the kal mode
--POVERTY as a noun
Thus the meaning depends on which grammaticl mode is used
Meaning can also depend on which connective is used
*5 GRAMMAR: SEMANTIC TRANSFORMATIONS:
There are 3 ways for an OBJECT to become an activity
--TO MAKE the object (eg to flower)
--TO USE the object (Eg to hammer)
--TO REMOVE the object (eg to dust)
*6 GRAMMAR: SENTENCE USAGE:
For example the word SAR means MASTER. It however can be
used in 3 ways
---MASTER CHEF WHAT you are master of
---FRENCH CHEF WHERE you are master
---MASTER OF A 100 HOW MANY you supervise/master over
*7 PHRASES:
The words ON, THE, and FACE each have distinct meanings
The phrase ON THE FACE has a new meaning--it means DURING
THE LIFETIME. The phrase occurs 4-5 times in the Bible (in
reference to humans) and Rashi says this on each verse
*8 PARALLEL FORM: Gn01-02 reads
--------------------------------------------
The earth was TOHU VAVOHU
on the deep was DARKNESS
--------------------------------------------
Using the method of PARALLEL FORM I infer that TOHU VAVOHU
means something like DARKNESS or CONFUSION
*9 SPECIAL WORDS:
For example the compass positions are a
special set of words. How are they to be named
---FACE means EAST (Because you face the sun)
---BACK means WEST (when you FACE east, WEST is in BACK)
---RIGHT means SOUTH(When you FACE East, SOUTH is on RIGHT)
Other sets of special words are BODY ORGANS, NUMBERS etc
*10 VERSE: SYNONYM-NUANCES
The VERSE method requires the reader to review other
verses where this word occurs. We have divided the
VERSE method into 4 submethods. This method is very very
powerful
One application of VERSES is to review how synonyms
are used. This enriches our understanding of them.
For example the following words all mean TO TALK
--DBR
--DBH
--DBA
--GRN
If we dont look at other verses we think of these
words as synonyms. By looking at other verses we
obtain the precise nuances of these words. Here
is what Rashi says
--DBR Talk
--DBH Chatter
--DBA Chatter about me
--GRN Paranoic grumbling
*11 VERSES--PROPERTIES
In this method we use other verses to find PROPERTIES
of an object. Take the CHOSHEN GARMENT. We see that
--it is embroidered from gold, azure,pink (Ex28-15)
--it is 9 inches by 9 inches (Ex28-16)
--it is linked by chains and worn on chest(Ex28-25,27)
Hence Rashi calls the CHOSHEN a GARMENT ORNAMENT or a
GARMENT TRINKET. Rashi here used the method of REVIEWING
OTHER VERSES TO FIND PROPERTIES
*12 VERSES--ONE VERSE LINK
Sometimes just ONE OTHER VERSE will clarify a usage. For
example, Lv08-09 says HE PLACED THE MITZNEFET on his
head. Hence, I infer that the MITZNEFET was a HAT.
In this case I used ONE OTHER VERSE to make an inference.
*13 VERSES - SYNONYM CONFUSION
In this method I review other verses with a word to dispel
a common conception of translation. For example many
English translations translate NHSHAL as TO REMOVE or
TO FALL. A close examination of verses shows it means TO SLIP
---Dt28-40 when your olives SLIP from the tree
---Dt18-05 when an ax-head SLIPS from the ax & kills someone
================================================================
RASHI RULE USED: WORD MEANINGS
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website
Volume 14 Number 20
#*#*#*#*# (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
Volume 14 Number 20