Rashi-Is-Simple Mailing List
(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 1999
http://www.shamash.org/rashi
Volume 2 Number 23
Produced Jul, 11 1999
Topics Discussed in This Issue
------------------------------
v0711- Administrivia SMALLER POSTINGS | NEW SETUP
v5a1-22 ELDERS REQUEST is proper; WHOLE NATION is improper
v4-36-3 Rashi cites/cross-references other verses to clarify
v4-35-13 HYH (TO BE) denotes EMPHASIS. ONE UNIT of 6 refuge cities
v4-35-33 ChNF=Falsely making something appear better than it is
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VERSE: v0711
Administrivia
We are approaching completion of Volume 2. My thanks to all those
who have stayed on, especially to those who have made many helpful
comments.
The most serious issue is that some postings are short while others
are way too long. Sometimes these long postings are in response to
reader questions.Also some readers are aware of Talmudic methods and
may wish to see the longer postings while others just want short
synopsii.
I have a suggestion which could start today and be completed
with the commencement of Volume 3. WE WILL HAVE SIMULTANEOUS VOLUMES
BEING EMAILED. Thus VOLUME3 will still be only 2 per week with short
postings (such as those here). Longer postings may happen in different
volumes (and will be mailed as extra with warnings they are long).
Thus e.g. I may designate Volume 10 as FOR ADVANCED TALMUDIC STUDENTS
Those who just wish to read Volume 3 and enjoy the short postings
may do so.
I will also have separate volumes on certain topics (eg Rashis on
Sacrifices) or a separate volume devoted say to Reader questions.
Please read thru this issue and let me know if it is simple enough.
There are 8000 Rashis in Chumash--enough for every Learning and
Knowledge type. Many other email groups have dealt with this
DIVERSITY PROBLEM. Thus Torah Forum broke off into Torah Forum
and Bais-Medrash. Similarly the Chumash group TOP broke off into
a SHORT and LONG version. My remedy is similar to that used on
advanced bulletin boards that use simultaneous threads. In our
case Volumes 3,4 etc will still be at the rate of 2 per week and
very short. Other volumes could deal with more advanced topics and
happen sporadically.
As usual let me know what you think of this idea. This is your
email list. Also, I really want to encourage further reader
questions. I hope to have an issue summarizing the many fine
ideas that have come from reader questions to date.
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*** READING TIPS ***
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IF YOU ARE IN A HURRY WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:
* VERSE:
* RASHI TEXT:
* BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
"HOW DO I FIND QUICKLY A SPECIFIC SECTION?"
ANSWER: Use your FIND menu
For example: FIND VERSE:
takes you to the beginning of the next section.
Similarly
FIND NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
takes you to the brief explanation of Rashi.
"IS THERE AN EASY WAY TO GO TO EACH VERSE AND POSTING?"
Yes. Use your FIND menu.
"FIND #*#*#*#" takes you to the next posting
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 1999 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v5a1-22
v5a1-22 And you all came near and said...
v5c29-9 ..your heads..elders ..Judges...all Jews
RASHI TEXT:
v5a1-22 In v5-1-22 it says "and YOU all came near"
In 5-5-22 it says "and YOUR HEADS OF STATE came near"
In 5-5-22 where it says YOUR HEADS OF STATE the Jews
asked properly
By contrast, here (5-1-22), where it says YOU the Jews
they asked improperly
[Moderator: In 5-1-22 where they asked improperly they
asked for permission to send spies to scout the land
which resulted in a tragedy for the Jews while in 5-5-22
where they asked properly they asked that Moses alone
receive the prophecies but not all of them]
v5c29-9 The Jews were assembled with the most important
people first and the lesser important people afterwoods
[Moderator: Heads of state...THEN elders...THEN Judges..
THEN people]
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
Rashi himself clearly indicates his method. He COMPARES/ALIGNS two
almost identical verses {LIST1} dealing with a request of the Jewish
people from Moses.
In one case (v5-5-20)the request was made thru a proper chain of
command:The elders led the request while the people stood in back.
This was the request that the whole nation should not hear the
prophecies but only Moses.
In the other case (v5-1-22) the request was made in a herd manner...
all the people converged on Moses and requested that spies be sent
to scout out the land before conquering it.
We learn that the two requests had different propriety in how
they were asked from the different phrases used
in the two verses: v5-1-22 says "YOU came near and
requested" while v5-5-20 says "YOUR HEADS AND ELDERS came near
and requested". Thus Rashi Is Simple.
Furthermore, the order in v5-5-20 is reflected in other verses such
as 5-29-9: TRIBE HEADS, ELDERS, JUDGES, ALL PEOPLE. This order
is consistent with the principle of CLIMAX: The 4 items in the verse
are listed in DESCENDING ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
{LIST1} {Alignment of 3 verses. From the one difference we infer
that one request was made properly while the other request
was made improperly}
v5-1-22 v5-5-20 5-29-9 Differences
======= =============== ============ ============
And And
you Heads of tribes Heads Tribes *1
and elders elders
Judges
All Jews
came near came near
to me to me
And requested And requested
FOOTNOTES
*1 This row reflects the only difference between the two verses.
In v5-5-20 the Jews request (for Moses being the sole receiver of
prophecy) was made by a proper chain of command (ie by the Heads
of tribes) while in v5-1-22 the request (for spies) was made in
a herd manner by YOU (ie everybody). Further details may be found
above.
CROSS REFERENCES:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
DOUBLE PARSHAS | ALIGNMENT
CLIMAX
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VERSE: v4-36-3
v4-36-3 And their territory will be added to the other
tribe
[Moderator: This deals with the petition of
The daughters of Zlafchad from the tribe of Menasheh.
Rashi (below) gives an example clarifying this]
v4-36-8 And every daughter inheriting land...
v4b1-2 ...their father's household
RASHI TEXT:
v4-36-3 If say Machlah married Reuben then When Zlafchad
dies his Menashen territory is inherited by Machlah, his
daughter. When Machlah dies her Menashen territory is
inherited by her son who however belongs to the tribe
of Reuben. Hence, Menashen territory became transferred
to Reuben.
v4-36-8 A daughter can inherit if her father had no sons
v4b1-2 Tribal status is based on the father, not mother
Because it explicitly says THEIR FATHER'S HOUSEHOLD
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
Rashi uses the technique of OTHER VERSES or CROSS REFERENCE.
We have explained many times (eg v5d26-5) that sometimes nothing
is bothering Rashi but nevertheless Rashi wishes to enhance the
appreciation of a verse. The simplest technique of enhancing
meaning is to cite or cross reference other verses that shed
light on a given verse.
Since the verses in question are speaking about INHERITANCE Rashi
Is Simple and cites those verses, 4-27-7:11 dealing with the
laws of inheritance.
These verses clarify both v4-36-8 and v4-36-3.
--v4-36-8 speaks about A DAUGHER INHERITING HER FATHER which,
according to v4-27-8 can happen if there were no brothers.
>>If a person dies without a son then his daughter inherits.
--Similarly v4-36-3 mentions the possibility of Menashen land being
transferred to Reuben. This can happen if say Machlah (who had no
brothers) 1st inherits her father, Zlafchad, a Menashen.
Then when Machlah dies her son inherits her.But this sons territory
is classified as Reubenite not Menashen since if the father comes
from Reuben and the mother from Menasheh then the tribal status
is, according to v4b1-2, on
>>THEIR FATHERS HOUSEHOLD.
I have emphasized frequently that although this technique of CROSS
REFERENCING appears simple and elementary nevertheless it is a
very important research tool for learning. Indeed, the sages who
composed the Passover Hagaddah saw fit to base the entire exposition
of v5d26-5 solely on CROSS REFERENCES. Therefore the method is
to be strongly encouraged.
We have left to explain why v4b1-2, THEIR FATHER'S HOUSEHOLD teaches
us that tribal status is according to the father's household. Indeed
thoughout 4-2 the phrase is repeated. Maybe it is a Biblical idiom?
However by reviewing those verses with the word HOUSEHOLD {LIST1} we
see that
--the ordinary term for a household is HOUSEHOLD while
--the term FATHERS HOUSEHOLD is used for matters of inheritance
Thus Rashi Is Simple. Tribal inheritance is by the FATHER not
the mother (And this would specifically apply when the father
comes from one tribe and the mother from another tribe).
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
{LIST1} {Of verses with HOUSEHOLD vs FATHER'S HOUSEHOLD. Note
how HOUSEHOLD is the usual term used while FATHER'S
HOUSEHOLD is used more in matters of status and
inheritance *1}
2-12-15 Household Prohibition of bread on Passover
1-47-24 Household Provide food for household
1-42-19 Household Food during famine years
1-24-28 Mother's household Discuss hospitality
2-12-27 Household God saved us in Egypt
3-16-6 Household Atonement on Yom Kippur
5-12-7 Household Sacrifices for occasions
1-31-14 Father's household Do we have an inheritance?
4-30-4 Father's household Laws of oaths
4-1-2 Father's household Census-Tribal status
4-25-15 Father's household Non Jewish Tribal status
FOOTNOTES
*1 We should mention 4-30-4 which uses the term FATHERS's
HOUSEHOLD when dealing with oaths but this is a special
situation because her FATHER absolves her from oath but
not her mother.
CROSS REFERENCES:
v5d26-5 The use of CROSS REFERENCES in the Passover Agadah
on the chapter the verse v5d26-5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
OTHER VERSES | CROSS REFERENCE
OTHER VERSES | CROSS REFERENCE
SYNONYMS
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VERSE: v4-35-13
v4-35-13 6 refuge cities will there BE for you
RASHI TEXT:
v4-35-13 The 6 refuge cities do not function in
their capacity of being a refuge city until all
6 were built (So even though Moses built 3 in
his lifetime, nevertheless, these cities did not
protect murderers till all 6 were built)
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
The actual verses v4-35-13:14 state
>>And the cities that you will make WILL BE 6 cities
>>3 cities will be in the Jordan side
>>3 cities will be on the Canaan side
>>they WILL BE refuge cities.
This Rashi (from the Sifrah) is based on the principle that Hebrew
does not require the verb TO BE (ie It is perfectly good Hebrew
to eg say "THE BALL RED" vs the English "THE BALL is RED"). Whenever
the verb TO BE or WILL BE occurs it denotes EMPHASIS and PERMANANCE.
(See {LIST1} for a partial list of verses with WILL BE)
Hence since the above verses conclude THEY will be REFUGE CITIES
the emphasis is that there will be ONE UNIT of 6 cities. To fully
clarify the difference between 6 refuge cities and one unit of
6 refuge cities perhaps two to three analogies will help:
--SEFIRAH
There is a commandment to count 50 days between Pesach and Shavuoth
We don't say that there are FIFTY commandments (to count each day)
but rather there is ONE commandment to enumerate all 50 days. Hence
if you forget to count on one of the days you may no longer count
with a blessing on the remaining days (since each day is not a
separate commandment but rather the whole unit is one commandment
and you have lost the ability to count the whole unit by forgetting
one day).
(Nevertheless since there is a minority opinion that there
are 50 separate mitzvoth, to count each of the 50 days, we encourage
people who have forgotten to count one day to continue counting
without a blessing)
--LULAV
It is a commandment on Succoth to take the 4 species--Lulav, Ethrog,
Myrtles and Willows--and to shake them during Hallel. This is ONE
commandment to take 4 units--it is not FOUR separate commandments.
Hence if you are eg missing Myrtles, even though you have all the
other items, you do not shake them on Succoth.
--CHANUKAH
It is a (rabbinic) commandment to light candles during Chanukah. We
do not say that there is ONE commandment to light 8 nights but
rather we say there are EIGHT commandments--to light the first night
to light the 2nd night, to light the 3rd night etc. Hence a person
who only has enough oil for 2 nights will make two blessings on
those nights but not future blessings.
Let us return to the refuge cities. Perhaps they are
like the Chanukah candles: There are SIX commandments to make 6
separate cities. If I only made 3 cities then those cities will
protect accidental murderers.
OR..Perhaps it is like LULAV and SEFIRAH. Perhaps it is ONE
commandment to make 6 separate cities so that if I only made
3 of them then NONE of them work till all of them are made.
Now we understand Rashi. The concluding phrase in the Biblical
verses explicitly says "THEY WILL BE REFUGE CITIES". Thus Rashi
Is Simple. The emphasis is on the unit of REFUGE CITIES and not
on each particular one. Hence the refuge cities don't confer
protection to accidental murderers till they are all built.
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
{LIST1} {Of verses with the verb TO BE--Courtesy of Malbim
In all these verses the verb TO BE denotes EMPHASIS *1}
VERSE TEXT WHY EMPHASIZED
----- ---- --------------
4-6-5 He WILL BE holy Non specificed Neziruth can't be transient
but must have some type of emphasis and
demonstration of committment (The usual
period for demonstration is 30 days)
3-2-1 it WILL BE wheat The emphasis shows that other types of
flour invalidate it
3-2-5 it WILL BE Matzoh The emphasis shows that if one left out
the Matzoh attribute then it invalidates
the offering
FOOTNOTES
*1 Malbim brings this principle down in his MORNING STAR--principle
600. THere he gives about a dozen examples (since some of them have
controversy on WHAT is being emphasized I left them out).
Malbim explains that the EMPHASIS in the Leviticus verses is an
emphasis of ESSENTIALITY--without the attribute that is mentioned in
the verse with the verb TO BE the procedure is invalid
We however have taken a broader interpretation and allow
any type of emphasis (For example: by the Nazerite, the emphasis
indicated by the verb TO BE denotes that Nazaretism should have
sufficient DURATION which in many matters is 30 days
CROSS REFERENCES:
v4a18-19 The verb HYH (TO BE) denotes emphasis
v2-1-5 The verb HYH (TO BE) denotes emphasis
v2b12-40 The verb HYH (TO BE) denotes emphasis
v1b15-13 The verb HYH (TO BE) denotes emphasis
v1a15-13 The verb HYH (TO BE) denotes emphasis
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
SPECIAL WORDS
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VERSE: v4-35-33
v4-35-33 And do not ChNF (Flatter) the land
[Moderator: The surrounding context states that one should
not take bribes for a murder since the bloodshed would
ChNF (Flatter) the land]
RASHI TEXT:
v4-35-33 ChNF means TO TREAT WICKEDLY. The Aramaic
translation of the word is similar.
BRIEF BUT COMPLETE NARRATIVE EXPLANATION:
First recall that frequently, when Rashi gives a translation of a
Biblical word, he only gives the GENERAL category of that word but
not its particular meaning. For example on v2a16-33 Rashi explains
TzNTzNeTH as meaning BOTTLE while its real meaning is THERMOS. Thus
Rashi gives the GENERAL CATEGORY---containers/bottles/jugs--and
not the particular meaning (THERMOS).Let us apply this to 4-35-33.
On this verse the Biblical commentators suggest
an extremely wide range of possible translatios {LIST1}. Suggestions
for the meaning of ChNF include
--VERBAL FLATTERY (Rav Yonah),
--BRIBES (KLI YAKAR),
--FAWNING (RDK),
--MAKING EVERYONE APPEAR EQUAL (MAHARSHAH).
[Moderator: See Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society,
Spring 1999, FLATTERY by Alfred Cohen].
In the face of all these explanations Rashi Is Simple. Instead of
taking sides in the controversy on meaning, Rashi gives the
underlying COMMON THEME in ALL EXPLANATIONS. All explanations agree
that ChNF means some type of WICKEDNESS--so that is what Rashi
says: ChNF means WICKEDNESS.
Note how WICKEDNESS is the GENERAL CATEGORY into which the
various suggested meanings---verbal flattery, bribes, fawning--
fall. After reading Rashi we know the GENERAL
meaning but do not yet know the specific meaning.
However on Isa24-5 Rashi does give the SPECIFIC meaning. Isiah
speaks about the land being punished, its produce withering and then
Isiah says "The land will flatter (ChNF)". Commenting on this
Rashi says:
>>It is LIKE flattery: The land produces lush grass but no wheat
>>The land produces tall sturdy stalks--but nothing is inside them
By these examples Rashi clearly indicates that FLATTERY is
>>Making something appear better than it really is (Like a land
>>producing lush meadows but no produce)
To clinch matters we may review the verses in which ChNF occurs.
ChNF is a rare root, occuring only 26 times in all of TNACH.
Thus on the one hand it is hard to find its true meaning. On the
other hand in certain verses its meaning is unambiguous {LIST2}
Here are some verses where the meaning of ChNF is clear.
--Prv11-9 With his MOUTH the flatterer (ChNF) destroys his friend
--Dan11-32 ..they will flatter (ChNF) with SMOOTH WORDS
--Isa32-6 Speaks vulgarity ..flattery (ChNF)..speak to God wrongly..
In all these verses ChNF has its traditional English translation of
FLATTERY (verbally overpraising something) which is consistent with
our translation (in the name of Rashi) of "Making something appear
better than it is".
Furthermore Ps106-38 and our own verse 4-35-33 speak about
murder/bloodshed FLATTERING (ChNF) the land: In other words, if you
murder everyone who disagrees with establishment then the country
falsely appears to be in good shape since no one complains.
In summary: ChNF refers to WICKEDNESS in general but more
specifically it means to "Make something falsely appear better than
it is." This "Making something falsely appear better than it is"
can be accomplished by bribes, verbal flattery, fawning
or acting like everyone is the same.
COMMENTS ON RASHI'S FORM:
As noted above Rashi only gives the GENERAL meaning of ChNF on
4-35-33 while on Isa24-5 he gives the SPECIFIC meaning.
Rashi did this for the following reason: It is not possible on
4-35-33 to see the specific meaning of ChNF. For example the
previous verses say "Don't take bribes..because bloodshed will
ChNF the land." This makes it appear that ChNF means bribe.
Consequently Rashi waited till Isa24-5 to state the specific
meaning of ChNF. Isa24-5 speaks about the land losing its
produce and becoming a ChNF which Rashi says means "Like
a flatterer (who makes things look better than they are)--
the land produces lush meadows but no produce, sturdy stalks
but nothing inside." It is only at Isa24-5 where the true
meaning of ChNF emerges, so Rashi waited till there to explain
it.
LISTS {For ADVANCED students and for those with more time}:
{LIST1} {List of suggested meanings of the root ChNF. Note how
Rashis' suggested meaning encompasses all the others.
See Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society Sp 99,
Alfred Cohen *1}
COMMENTATOR EXPLANATION VERSE
============= =============== ===========
Rav Yonah/RDQ Verbal Flattery Prv11-9
Cli Yakar Bribes 4-35-32:34
Maharshah Equalization 4-35-32:34
Rashi Wickedness 4-35-33
Rashi Making things look better Isa24-5
FOOTNOTES
*1 The JHCS does not cite all the verses cited here. As shown
above Rashi's suggested meaning of "Making things look better
than they are" includes Rav Yonahs suggested meaning of verbal
flattery or Cli Yakar's meaning of Bribes (usually given to
cover things up and make things look good) or even the Maharshas'
suggested meaning of equalization (ie when you murder all who
disagree with you you equalize the land and make it appear
better than it really is
{LIST2} {Verses where ChNF occurs. The listed verses show that
the true meaning of ChNF is "To falsely make things appear
better than they are" *1}
Dan11-32 Flatter with smooth words *2
Prv11-9 With his mouth the flatterer destroys his friend *2
Isa32-6 Speaks vulgarity,..ChNF,.speak to God estranged... *2
Isa24-5 The Land Flatters *3
Ps106-38 Flatter land by murder *4
4-35-33 The bloodshed flatters the land *4
Jer3-1 Adultery Flatters the land *5
Job27-8 Why should a ChNF Bribe *6
FOOTNOTES
*1 The root ChNF only occurs 26 times in the Bible. Thus it is
a bit difficult to pin down its exact meaning. Nevertheless these
verses seem to clearly indicate the meaning we suggested in the
name of Rashi (Isa24-5)
*2 In these verses ChNF means VERBAL FLATTERY, its usual meaning
This explanation was suggested by Rav Yonah/RDQ
*3 Rashi explains that when the land corrodes it looks like a
flatterer. For the land produces lush meadows but no produce
or it produces sturdy stalks with nothing in them. Thus Rashi
on this verses suggests that ChNF means "To falsely make things
appear better than they are"
*4 When establishment and crime murder everyone who disagrees with
them the land appears to be good (because no one is complaining).
This is consistent with Rashis suggested meaning of ChNF. (Note how
in contrast to the Kli Yakar (who suggested that ChNF means bribes)
that 4-35-33 explicitly says FOR IT IS THE BLOODSHED THAT ChNF THE
LAND (Thus ChNF is not referring to bribes here but rather to the
better appearance because no one complains).
*5 When everyone is sleeping with everyone people usually are
praising their partners--there doesn't seem to be complaints or
unhappiness and thus things appear better than they are.
*6 In this verses ChNF clearly means BRIBE. Note how Rashis
suggested explanation "Falsely making things appear better than
they are" encompasses this translation as well as the verbal
flattery situation.
CROSS REFERENCES:
v2a16-33 Rashi explains TzNTzNeTH as a BOTTLE even
though it really means a particular type of bottle, the THERMOS)
Thus Rashi explains the GENERAL category (BOTTLE) but not its
SPECIFIC meaning (THERMOS).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Spring 99 Issue of the JOURNAL OF HALACHA AND CONTEMPORARY
SOCIETY had an article on FLATTERY (Alfred Cohen, author). This
article does not cite all the verses mentioned above. It cites
3 opinions on the meaning of FLATTERY
--CLI YAKAR--Giving someone something they don't deserve to get
something in return
--RAV YONAH--Verbal flattery
--MAHARSHAH--making all things appear equal
This article does not cite all the verses we mentioned above. A
review of these verses shows that the best explanation of ChNF to be
FLATTERY = Making something falsely look better than it is. This
accounts for the verses and is consistent with the other
explanations above. Thus the VERBAL FLATTERER makes things falsely
appear better than they are. Similarly the BRIBER usually gives a
bribe to cover things up and make them look better than they are.
Finally murder of people against the establishment equalizes the
land and falsely makes the country look good (since no one
complains).
RULE CLASSIFICATION {See the web site for comparable examples}:
WORD MEANINGS
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NOTATIONAL CONVENTIONS
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e.g. v5b2-1 means as follows:
The "v" means verse
The "5" means Deuteronomy--the 5th book
The "2" means The 2nd chapter
The "1" means The 1st verse
The "b" means The second rashi on that
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Seir)
Similarly v5-2-1 would mean Dt 2:1 and probably refer to all
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the notation is similar and will be updated retroactively
in the future)
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