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VERSE: Gn20-06a

RASHIS COVERED: Gn20-06a Gn31-17a Gn20-04a

======================== Gn20-06a ============================

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Rashi frequently makes powerful inferences from
 - the ALIGNMENT,
 - that is, the word by word comparison,
of almost identical  verses. The minor variations
between these almost similar  verses suggests nuances
and differences or even meaning. We
call this the Rashi rule of ALIGNMENT

-When Rashi identifies two cases from the ALIGNMENT we call
this the Rashi subrule of TWO CASES

-When Rashi infers nuances from the variations between the
almost similar verses (or verse phrases) we call this the
Rashi subrule of NUANCES.

-When Rashi infers MEANING from the ALIGNMENT of almost
identical phrases we call this the Rashi SUBRULE of MEANING.

EXAMPLE 1: Gn20-06a Gn20-04a
---------------------------------------------
At Gn20-06a God and Avimelech discuss the
allegation that Avimelech committed adultery
with Abraham's wife. Avimelech protests that
she didn't tell him that she was married
-------------------------------------------------------------
AVIMELECH:With an INNOCENT HEART and CLEAN HANDS I acted
GOD:      with    INNOCENT HEART but I PREVENTED you from sin
Notes:            *1                 *2
-------------------------------------------------------------

Rashi comments on NUANCES of the above ALIGNMENT
-----------------------------------------------
God agreed that Avimelech was innocent (Because
Sarah did not inform her she was married).

But God disagrees that He had CLEAN HANDS; rather God
says that GOD PREVENTED AVIMELECH from sinning.

(The point here is that if on the wedding night
she had told him the truth he wouldnt have listened
and would have consumated the marriage anyway)
-----------------------------------------------

List310d summzarizes this ALIGNMENT and
presents further details.

EXAMPLE 2: Gn31-17a
--------------------
Note the gender order in the following 2 verses
discussing families travelling
---------------------------------------------
Gn31-17a   Jacob travelled: with his SONS and WIVES
Gn36-06    Esauv travelled: with his WIVES and SONS
---------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
--------------------------------------
The order is reversed. By Jacob the men(SONS)
led while by Esauv the women(WIVES) led
--------------------------------------

Rashi does not elaborate further. I would suggest
that Rashi is emphasizing the need for proper
gender role models. As little boys and girls
grow up it is important that they see appropriate
role models for their gender. Lack of such role
models can be a contributing factor to poor marriages.
R Friedman in his book "Doesn't anyone blush anymore"
points out that the 20th century is the first period
in which there is mass confusion on role models.

In passing the lack of proper gender role models
(Men lead) is a contributing factor to excessive
violence for which Esauv is known.

List310e summzarizes this ALIGNMENT and presents further details.
===================================================================
ITEM                     DETAIL
======================== ==========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS:        ALIGNMENT
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS      NUANCES
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #11
SEE BELOW                LIST310d
LIST of                  Innocence claims in Avimelech's adultery
-----------------------  --------------------------------------
SEE BELOW                LIST310e
LIST of                  Gender order in Gn31-17a,Gn36-06
==================================================================

========================== LIST310d ==============================
LIST of                  Innocence claims in Avimelech's adultery
==================================================================
Who        With an Innocent heart and clean actions
========== ======= ============== === ============================
AVIMLCH*10 With an INNOCENT HEART and CLEAN HANDS I acted
GOD*10     with    INNOCENT HEART but I PREVENTED you from sin
Differs    *1      *2             *3  *4

NOTES
-----
*1 The same in both verses

*2 God agrees that Avimelech was innocent(Sarah had not
   told him she was married--so his protestation that
   he wasn't committing adultery was accepted)

*3 See footnote *4

*4 Note the difference between INNOCENT HEART vs. CLEAN HANDS
   In one case God agrees. In the other case God contradicts
   his assertion. God claims that HE(God) prevented Avimelech
   from sinning.(The point here is that if she admitted on her
   wedding night that she was married he would have consumated
   the marriage anyway)*11

-------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES --------------------

*10 Avimelech had married Sarah, Abraham's wife. Thus he
    committed adultery. However Sarah had not informed him
    that she was married.
    - At Gn20-05 Avimelech protests his innocence and no-sin
    - At Gn20-06 God accepts his statement of innocence but
      points out that he would have sin (Consummated the
      marriage) if say Sarah admitted being married on her
      wedding night.

*11 Hence the Rashi (Gn20-04a) on the verse
    ---------------------------------------
    But Avimelech had not consummated the marriage
    ---------------------------------------

    Rashi states
    ------------------------------------------
    The angel [came to him in a dream] and
    prevented him from sinning
    ------------------------------------------

    Here Rashi reiterates that the abstention
    from consummation was not do to Avimelech's
    religious nature but rather to God preventing
    him. (Again: Had Sarah on the wedding night
    protested that she was really a married woman
    he wouldn't have listened but rather would have
    consummated the marriage anyway. Hence the need
    for God to prevent consummation).
==================================================================

========================== LIST310e ==============================
LIST of                  Gender order in Gn31-17a,Gn36-06
==================================================================
Verse      Who             With his 1st   and  2nd
========== =============== ======== ===== ==== ===================
Gn31-17a   Jacob travelled with his SONS  and  WIVES
Gn36-06    Esauv travelled with his WIVES and  SONS
Differs    *1              *2       *3    *4   *5

NOTES
-----
*1 (Rashi) By Jacob the MEN led (Sons) while by Esauv
   the WOMEN (Wives) led. The Bible emphasizes he
   importance of proper gender role models

*2 The same in both verses

*3 (Rashi) By Jacob the MEN led (Sons) while by Esauv
   the WOMEN (Wives) led. The Bible emphasizes he
   importance of proper gender role models

*4 The same in both verses

*5 (Rashi) By Jacob the MEN led (Sons) while by Esauv
   the WOMEN (Wives) led. The Bible emphasizes he
   importance of proper gender role models
==================================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 31 Number 16


#*#*#*#  (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 31 Number 16