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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2002
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 13 Number 20
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Produced April 20th, 2002
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|
OVERVIEW OF HILIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE |
` Whats new and hot in this issue? |
| ITEM | WHATS NEW & HOT IN THIS ISSUE |
| WORKBOOK | We are embarking on a Rashi Workbook Project*1 |
| R Ishmael | We workbook the famous R Ishmael STYLE rules today |
| ALIGNMENT | Some juicy alignments |
| GEZAYRAH SVEH | Read my original approach to GZAYRAH SHAVEH |
| |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Over the next year or so we will be writing modules for
the 2-4 dozen basic Rashi skill competencies needed for
learning Rashi. These modules will then be gathered into
a workbook which can be used at home or in schools In
the meantime each of these modules is usable in actual
schools or home-schooling situations.
|
|
Rashis covered in this issue |
|
| VERSE | RULE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| ======== | =============== | ======================================= |
| Lv21-05a | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv21-05b | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv21-08b | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv08-16a | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Ex29-13b | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv03-04c | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv19-28a | ALIGNMENT | Simultaneous details from ALIGNMENT |
| Lv21-06a | EXAMPLE7 | HOLY-no bad marriages-HOLY: Court force |
| Lv21-08a | EXAMPLE7 | HOLY-no bad marriages-HOLY: Court force |
| --------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------- |
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv21-05a
RASHIS COVERED: Lv21-05a Lv21-05b Lv21-08b
Lv08-16a Ex29-13b Lv03-04c Lv19-28a
|
THE ALIGNMENT METHOD |
------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: ALIGNMENT
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: MULTIPLE CRITERIA
------------------------------------------
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE
-------------------------
Many Rashis do NOT focus on an internal analysis of the verse.
There may be nothing bothering Rashi in THAT verse. The words
used may all be normal.
But when the given verse is compared with another verse--that
is, when the two verses are ALIGNED together-- we see blatant
differences.
The ALIGNED verses therefore suggest that these ALIGNED
DIFFERENCES were deliberately placed there to emphasize
certain nuances.
A nifty way of explaining the ALIGNED verses is to think
of ALIGNMENT as the vehicle that the Biblical Author uses
to indicate FOOTNOTES. That is, a modern writer might use
FOOTNOTES to indicate details; the Biblical Author instead
used REPEATED ALIGNED VERSES with DIFFERENT DETAILS.
If the 2 ALIGNED verses are speaking about the same LAW
but indicate DIFFERENT DETAILS then one alignment approach
sees the TWO verses as presenting TWO DETAILS of the law--
that is the TWO details of the TWO verses apply in every
situation. The challenge of such an interpretation is to
defend that have ONE law with 2 details rather than TWO
laws with different details.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Perhaps the simplest example are the 11 verses requiring
the FINGER OF THE LIVER to be offered in the sacrifices.
Here are some sample verses:
----------------------------------
Ex29-22 the finger OF-- the liver
Lv03-04 the finger ON-- the liver
Lv09-10 the finger FROM the liver
---------------------------------
STUDENT EXERCISES:
------------------
-- What is the SAME in the ALIGNED verses
-- What is DIFFERENT in the ALIGNED verses
-- Give examples of EACH of these differences
-- Indicate how these differences COMBINE into one law
-- (Advanced) Defend that all 3 verses apply to one situation
RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
- The phrase FINGER OF THE LIVER means you take the LIVER FINGER
- FINGER ON THE LIVER means take a little bit of the liver
with the finger (that is, dont take ONLY the finger with
all other liver scraped off but take the finger with a
little bit of liver so that the finger is ON the liver)
- FINGER FROM THE LIVER uses the word FROM indicating
SEPARATION; so you shouldnt take alot of liver with the
finger; rather take the finger and a little bit of liver
(Where the liver and finger meet)
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/align-58.htm
This summary may be a bit too terse. You can browse the
57 postings leading up to by going to
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/align-1.htm
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/align-2.htm
etc.
Or you can visit the Rashi Yomi Calendar at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/calendar1.htm
This calendar presents a day by day listing of Rashis.
The ALIGNMENT series occurs between 7-28-01 and 10-10-01.
(The above example about the finger of the liver
occurs at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lv08-16a.htm)
HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LISTS referenced above for
school projects. Here is how. If you are a
teacher then you can present the two aligned
verses and ask the students to perform the
5 student exercises listed above.
The students can then compare their analysis with that
of Rashis. This leads to greater appreciation of Rashi.
TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Lv21-01:08 repeats several laws for priests that were already
given to Israelites. By ALIGNING the Israelite and Priestly
version we infer details to these laws. An advanced analysis
shows that we have 1 law with 2 details rather than 2 laws
(one for priests and one for Israelites) with different
details.
Here is the list. In presenting these alignments it is
useful to CAP the aligned words that differ. In this list
the lv21 verses contain the PRIESTLY obligations while
the other verses are obligations to ISRAELITES. |
| VERSE | PHRASE1 | PHRASE2 | PHRASE3 | PHRASE4 |
| Lv21-05a | Dont BALD | a baldness | in your HEAD | |
| Dt14-01 | dont PLACE | baldness | between your EYES | FOR THE DEAD |
| -------- | ----------- | ---------- | ----------------- | ------------ |
| Lv21-05b | dont | SHAVE | the beard corners | |
| Lv19-27 | dont | DESTROY | the beard corners | |
| -------- | ----------- | --------- | ----------------- | ------------ |
| Lv21-05c | dont ETCH | an etch | in their flesh | |
| Lv19-28 | dont PLACE | an etch | in your flesh | FOR THE DEAD |
| -------- | ----------- | --------- | ----------------- | ------------ |
| Differ | *1 | *2 | *3 | *4 |
| | | | |
| COMMENTS |
*4 The extra phrase FOR THE DEAD shows that these practices
(ripping out here; destroying the beard; mutilating skin)
were done by the idolaters as mourning practices for death
(Rashi: Lv19-28a)
*2 One verse calls it DESTROY while another verse calls it
SHAVE. We conclude that both SHAVING AND DESTRUCTION must
be present. Hence shaving by SCISSORS, TWEEZERS, &
CHEMICALS is not prohibited *10
*1 *3 SInce the Bible mentions BOTH balding the HEAD
and between the EYES I infer that BALDING on the
whole head is prohibited to priests and Israelites.
The sifrah answers the following provocative question:
Maybe PRIESTS are prohibited from balding the HEAD;
but ISRAELITES are prohibited ONLY from balding the eyes
In other words: How do we know that we have 1 law
with 2 details vs 2 laws (priests/Israelites) with
2 details. See footnote *11 for my sparkling
interpretation of Rashi.
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10
-- SHAVING WITH A RAZOR is prohibited since a razor is
a destructive instrument
-- SHAVING WITH A SCISSORS is not prohibited (Since
a scissors is not a destructive instrument--hence
the modern allowance to use some types of electric
shavers)
-- SHAVING with TWEEZERS is not prohibited
Biblically since TWEEZERS are not destructive
-- SHAVING with CHEMICALS is not prohibited because
we dont call CHEMICAL REMOVAL OF HAIR, SHAVING
*11 Here is a stronger form of the argument (Brought down
by the Sifrah). We all know that Priests have many
more stringencies that ordinary Israelites. So maybe
also in the balding prohibition we have
-- Israelites are prohibited from BALDING TWEEN EYES
-- the Holier Priests are prohibited from BALDING ANY
PLACE ON THE HEAD?
While this question appears strong note that it assumes
that in the ALIGNMENTS the PRIESTS always have the more
stringent verses.
Hence if we show that sometimes the ISRAELITES have
the more stringent verses we will see that there is
balance and that both sets of verses are read together.
Looking at the above aligned verses we see that by
the ISRAELITES it states DONT PLACE (dont place an
etch, dont place a baldness) while by the PRIESTS it
states less stronger language (DONT ETCH; DONT BALD)
Thus
-- the verbs are STRONGER by the ISRAELITES while
-- the INDIRECT OBJECT (Where it is done--balding EYES
or head) is stronger by the PRIESTS
SImilarly REASONS are sometimes given by ISRAELITES
and sometimes by ISRAELITES and PRIESTS.
This gives evidence that the two chapters should be
read as one law rather than two.
The above is my understanding of the Rashi and Sifrahs
answer to the question: Are EYE-HEAD one combined law
for Israelites-Priests or are they 2 laws for two
different groups? (Again: The answer is that neither
group is overall more stringent and hence we treat
them as one)
Let us now review Rashis language
----------------------------------------------------
Both verses use the word BALDNESS. Hence we have
a WORD ANALOGY linking the verses and showing them one
----------------------------------------------------
This is also the language of the sifrah. Most
people regard WORD ANALOGIES (The same word in
two verses) as SINAITIC in origin without reason.
However I would suggest that WORD ANALOGIES is used
in two ways in Talmudic literature. It can refer to
a sinaitically received transmission on which there
is no dispute. OR, it can refer to an OVERALL ALIGNMENT
where inference and reason apply.
Thus I interpret the Sifrah as follows
----------------------------------------------------
Perhaps we have two laws for two groups? Priests
who have many more commandments would be prohibited
EVEN form balding the head while ISRAELITES would
ONLY be prohibited form balding between the eyes!
THerefore we have ALIGNMENTS (Word analogies!) of
the BALDING and ETCHING commandments. (In both
these laws the activity (PLACE vs BALD-ETCH) is
more general for the ISRAELITES showing that neither
group receives a greater stringency)
------------------------------------------------------
I believe that this approach to these Sifrahs is more
intellectually satisfying. It is therefore a tool that
the reader can use when studying these texts
| |
|
HOLINESS OF PRIESTS |
We continue with alignment examples brought above
This example is interesting because Rashi seems to deviate
from the Sifrah. The analysis of this Rashi as coming
from alignment is due to Rashi |
| VERSE | PHRASE1 | PHRASE2 | PHRASE3 |
| Lv21-06 | THEY | will be holy | to their GOD |
| Lv21-08b | HE | will be holy | to YOU |
| Differ | *1 | *2 | *3 |
| | | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 *3 The 2 verses speak about two holiness
requirements: COLLECTIVE (they) holiness to GOD vs
INDIVIDUAL (he) holiness to the INDIVIDUAL (to you).
So Rashi is Simple: Since Lv21-06 is speaking about
holiness in marriages enforceable by the courts,
it follows that Lv21-08b speaks about holiness in
individual social matters (e.g. Letting them lead
Grace after meals; letting them get called to the
Torah first etc).
Interestingly Rashis simple approach is not used
by the Sifra which interprets Lv21-08b to obligate
blemished priests (who cant serve in the Temple)
to follow the extra priestly marriage laws.
The defense that Lv21-06 refers to court protected
holiness is presented at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/lv21-06a.htm
*2 These phrases are the same
|
RASHI RULE USED: ALIGNMENT
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv21-06a
RASHIS COVERED: Lv21-06a Lv21-08a
==================== GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL =====================
|
THE STYLE RULES |
------------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE: THE RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE RULES
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE: GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL STYLE
------------------------------------------------------
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE
-------------------------
Some Rashis deal with GRAMMAR or MEANING. But other Rashis
deal with STYLE. The Great Talmudic Sage Rabbi Ishmael,
laid down 3 style rule classes which divide into a dozen
or so rules.
Today we deal with the DETAIL-GENERAL or
GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL style. In this style the verse
first states something specifically and then repeats
the requirement generally.
The Rabbi Ishmael Style rules then demand that the
specific details be partially generalized. This requirement
of generalization is not because of grammar or meaning or
even because some word in the verse is extra: Rather, it
is a requirement of style.
STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The simplest example I could find occurs at Ex25-31.
-----------------------------------------------------------
DETAIL-SPECIFIC: Make a Candellabrah of PURE GOLD
GENERAL: Sculptored shall you make the Candellabrah
-----------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT EXERCISES:
-----------------
-- Can you restate the verse in a simple style without
the SPECIFIC-GENERAL form?
-- How would you apply the Rabbi Ishmael requirement
of partial generalization to the detail in this verse
RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
(NOTE: This example occurs in the Talmud but is not
brought down by Rashi).
There are at least two ways to state the verse without
the SPECIFIC-GENERAL style:
-- Make a Golden Menorah that is sculptored with all parts
coming from it.
-- Make a menorah that is sculptored with all parts coming
from it.
Both the above sentences are simple. By contrast the Bible
used a 2-sentence approach with one sentence being SPECIFIC
and the other being GENERAL
--- Make a Golden Menorah
--- Make a ------ Menorah Sculptored with all parts coming
from it.
In other words the Bible deliberately used a STYLE of
stating the idea in 2 verses.
The Talmud then explains how the SPECIFIC DETAIL, GOLD,
is PARTIALLY GENERALIZED: The Menorah can be made of
anything SIMILAR TO GOLD--that is ANY METAL. *10 *11
STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/example7.htm
You can also revu the whole Rabbi Ishmael style
series at http://www.RashiYomi.com/ishmael.htm
Finally you can visit the Daily Rashi calendar at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/calendar1.htm The Rabbi Ishmael
series occured during August and September 2000.
HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LISTS referenced above for
school projects. Here is how. If you are a
teacher then you can present the verses with
the general-specific-general style
and ask the students to perform the
2 student exercises listed above.
The students can then compare their analysis with that
of Rashis. This leads to greater appreciation of Rashi.
TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Lv21-06:08 discusses holiness of priests. This general
requirement is sandwiched among some specific examples which
are then seen a prototypes which are generalized. |
| VERSE | GENERAL | DETAILS |
| Lv21-06a | They shall be holy to God | *1 *2 |
| Lv21-07 | ------------------------- | dont marry prostitutes |
| Lv21-07 | ------------------------- | dont marry priest misfits |
| Lv21-07 | ------------------------- | dont marry divorcees |
| Lv21-08b | They shall be holy | *1 *2 |
| | |
| | |
| COMMENTS |
*1 Quite simply
-- GENERAL: the priests should be HOLY
-- DETAIL: That is they should marry properly
-- GENERAL: The priests should be holy
So we generalize the DETAIL, Clause. Rashi states
----------------------------------------------
THEY SHALL BE HOLY: (Rashi) Against their will.
Use court enforcement to insure this
----------------------------------------------
In other words just as marriage is run by the
courts so too, the holiness of the priests is
run by the courts (Is court enforced).
Note the novelty in my approach. It follows e.g.
that say the teaching of sacrifices to priests should
be a court enforced item (The Talmud relates that
Chizkiyahu who almost became the Messiah
introduced the enforcement of education. In my opinion
Chizkiyahu based himself on the above verses).
*2 Note that Lv21-06 have at least 3 other statements of
a holiness requirement in the priest
-- They shall be holy to GOd
-- THEY SHOULD NOT DESECRATE GOD
-- BECAUSE THEY OFFER SACRIFICES AND SHALL BE HOLY
-- they will not marry prostitutes
-- they will not marry priest misfits
-- they will not marry divorcees
-- MAKE THEM HOLY for they offer sacrifices
-- they shall be holy
-- FOR I AM HOLY, I AM THE GOD OF HOLINESS
Rashi touches on some of these other phrases elsewhere
We are only concerned with the overall structure here
| LONGER FOOTNOTES |
*10 If the Bible had only stated MAKE A CANDELLABRAH OF GOLD
then we would use the FULL GENERALIZATION RULE. We could
then make the MENORAH of anything (eg wood). The difference
between the FULL GENERALIZATION and PARTIAL GENERALIZATION
rule. It IS discussed in the Talmud but we will not deal
with it now
*11 Note: The Bible gives AUTHORITY to the Sanhedrin to make
a final determination on HOW to apply these STYLE RULES.
This is explicitly stated in Dt17-09:11. Thus these style
rules differ from grammar rules or dictionary rules which
always reach one conclusion. Instead, these style rules
can lead to different conclusions by different people.
Each conclusion reached is a fulfillment of the law of
learning Torah. However the law follows the Sanhedrin or
the Talmud or the leading sages of the day which have
final authority in this matter.
| |
RASHI RULE USED: EXAMPLE7
#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2002, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
THE 6 RASHI RULE CLASSES(Version 3.2 Dec 15 2001)
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rules-01.htm
Copyright Dec 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President
========================================================
THE DICTIONARY RULE: Rashi can function as a dictionary.
He presents 2-6 meanings of words
REFERENCE: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/words.htm
========================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: AL means ON. AL can also mean
- WITH (Eat Passover WITH matzoh Ex12-09e)
- IN (Place the Matzoh IN the basket Ex29-03)
- TO (The boards shall be even from bottom TO top Ex26-24c)
- NEAR (His borders will be NEAR Tzison Gn49-13b)
- AFTER(Offer Peace offerings AFTER the daily Lv03-05a)
* EXAMPLE 2: KI means IF,PERHAPS,RATHER,BECAUSE,WHEN,THAT
Gn18-15a Gn24-33a
* EXAMPLE 3: YDA means FAMILIAR, not KNOW (eg Dt34-10a)
eg Gn04-01 Adam was FAMILIAR with his wife
* EXAMPLE 4: ON THE FACE OF means DURING THE LIFETIME
Nu03-04a Gn11-28a Ex20-03c Dt05-07a
===========================================================
THE GRAMMAR RULE: Rashi comments on RARE or SIMILAR usages
REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.Com/grammar.htm
===========================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: BA-ah means CAME;ba-AH means COMING(Gn46-26a)
* EXAMPLE 2:THE SENTENCE: 0.2% of Biblical sentences are 2verses
-(Dt11-07:08) It was not your fathers who saw this;rather you
* EXAMPLE 3: Hitpael has different rules if 1st root letter is
Tzade (USE: Ni-Tz-Ta-Dack not Ni-Th-Tza-Dack--Gn44-16a)
================================================================
THE CITATION RULE: Rashi enriches meaning by citing OTHER verses
REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.Com/other-20.htm
================================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: Dt26-05d We went down to Egypt with A FEW PEOPLE
ENRICHED by Gn46-27: We went down with 70 people
* EXAMPLE 2: Lv01-05a Non-priests may SLAUGHTER offerings
This law DERIVED from explicit statement in 2Chr30-17
* EXAMPLE 3:Why does Rashi say that Chur is Miriams son(Ex17-10b)
DERIVED from possible interpretation of 1-Chr18-19
* EXAMPLE 4: Gn35-22a Reuven Slept with Bilhah(Fathers concubine)
Gn49-04 Reuven PLAYED with fathers BEDS
CONCLUSION: Reuven inteferred with fathers personal
life(ruffled bedspreads); Bible condemns Reuven by
exaggeration; he is accused of incest which he didnt do
=================================================================
THE 3 RABBI ISHMAEL RULES: They govern style(broad vs literal)
REFERENCE:http://www.RashiYomi.com/example1.htm thru example9.htm
=================================================================
* EXAMPLE 1: Simple sentences are always GENERALIZED
---------------------------------------
Dt25-04a Dont MUZZLE an OX while it is THRESHING
Rabbi Ishmael: Dont STOP any ANIMAL from eating
while DOING ITS WORK
* EXAMPLE 2: GENERAL-EXAMPLE style always interpreted LITERALLY
--------------------------------------------------
Nu05-12d (GENERAL) If a women DESECRATES her marriage
(EXAMPLE) and commits ADULTERY
Rabbi Ishmael: Nu05 only applies to ADULTERY.
It does not apply to other marriage DESECRATIONS
* EXAMPLE 3: GENERAL-EXAMPLE-GENERAL style intepreted SIMILARLY
--------------------------------------------------
Lv05-21b (GENERAL) If a man DENIES under oath
(EXAMPLE) ..denies a deposit,loan,theft,wages,lost item
(GENERAL) or ANY DENIAL which he denies
RABBI ISHMAEL: These laws apply to any SIMILAR Example
* The law applies to partnerships, movables and monetary objects
* The law does not apply to real-estate or slander
=================================================================
THE CLIMAX RULE: The Bible should be interpreted in such a manner
that it reflects CLIMACTIC development to a goal
REFERENCE: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example9.htm
=================================================================
EXAMPLE 1: Dt19-11a If a man HATES, SPIES, CONFRONTS & KILLS
RASHI: Bible identifies 4 stages to murder(Capped)
==============================================================
THE FORMATTING PRINCIPLE: Bible had its own method to mimic
bold, bullets, footnotes, paragraphs
==============================================================
* BOLD: Bible REPEATS words to obtain BOLD emphasis effect
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/doubl-14.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE 1:(Ex12-09c) COOK COOK it in water (So COOKED is bold)
INFERENCE: Prefered to COOK it in water;
But COOK It at all costs(Even if you dont have water)
* BULLETS: Bible indicates bullets by REPEATING KEYWORDS
--------------------------------------------------------
Who am I
- THAT I should go to Pharaoh
- THAT I should take the Jews out of Egypt (Ex03-11a)
--------------------------------------------------------
RASHI: Repeated word THAT creates BULLET effect
- Pharoh was a difficult king (Bullet one)
- Jews were not yet ready for freedom (Bullet two)
* FOOTNOTES: The Bible indicates FOOTNOTES by ALMOST DUPLICATING
verses but making small minor changes
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/align-58.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Ex20-03a
VERSE PHRASE #1 PHRASE #2 PHRASE #3
------- --------- --------- ------------------
Ex20-03 Dont POSSESS the gods of others
Ex20-04 Dont MAKE idols
RASHI: So both POSSESSion & MAKING of idols are prohibited
---------------------------------------------------------------
End of Rashi is Simple Digest
|
#*#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi, 2001 Inc. Dr. Hendel President #*#*#*#*#