SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals was the resolution of
contradictions. These contradictions typically arise
from two verses stating contradictory things.
We call this the RASHI RULE OF CONTRADICTION.

Rashi had three methods to resolve contradiction.

(1)If the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two aspects of the same item then
we employ the TWO ASPECTS method of resolution.

(2)If the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two stages of the same process then
we employ the TWO STAGES submethod.

(3) Finally if the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by
retranslating the verses using broader or more literal
meanings then we use the BROAD-LITERAL submethod.

EXAMPLE: Gn34-13a Gn34-13b
--------------------------
Note the CONTRADICTION in the following verse,
discussing the planned war of Jacob's sons
on Schem and Chamor
-------------------------------------------
- And Jacob's children answered Schem DECEITFULLY
- because he [raped and] DEFILED Dinah his daughter
-------------------------------------------

We see the CONTRADICTION: Which is it?
- Were they DECEITFUL or
- Did SCHEM deserve it because he is a rapist.

Rashi resolves this CONTRADICTION by using a BROADER
translation of the Hebrew Mem-Resh-Mem-Hey. This
word is normally translated as DECEITFUL which
has pejorative connotations. However a rarer and
better translation is CUNNING which is not necessarily
pejorative.

The Rashi amended translation is as follows
-------------------------------------------
- And Jacob's children answered Schem CUNNINGLY
- because he [raped and] DEFILED Dinah his daughter
-------------------------------------------

LIST520a below gives other examples of CONTRADICTORY
verses resolved thru TWO ASPECTS

A list of verse pairs    with BROAD-LITERAL usage

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
An advanced Rashi method is the use of symbolism to explain
Biblical chapters. The general guidelines for symbolic
interpretation are compactly presented in my essay GENESIS
ONE SPEAKS ABOUT THE CREATION OF PROPHECY NOT THE CREATION
OF THE WORLD which may be found at URL
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm We call this the Rashi
method of SYMBOLISM / symbolism.

As pointed out in the above essay, Rav Hirsch emphasized
that one cannot whimsically apply symbolic methods. Rather
the Biblical text must demand or require the use of symbolism.

Because the rules of SYMBOLISM are extremely technical we
will frequently suffice with indicating an overall unifying
theme but not going into further detail. To see further detail
please read the above essay.

Today we present two symbolic passages.

EXAMPLE Gn24-22a Gn24-22b Gn24-22c
----------------------------------
Gn24-22 lists the gifts that Eliezer gave to Rivkah.
Recall the Eliezer had gone on a journey to seek
a mate for Isaac.

Gifts in male-female relationships are frequently
interpreted SYMBOLICALLY. Rashi interprets the 3 gifts
as indicative of general qualities needed in a good marriage.

Before presenting the SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATION we recall
the basic Rashi principle that ABSTRACT ideas are typically
presented by CONCRETE examples. The following example
illustrates
------------------------------------------------------
GIFT ITEM        MARRIAGE QUALITY        GOOD EXAMPLE
---------------  ----------------------- ------------
1 dollar ring    Cares about little guy  Dollar tax law
Two bracelets    Cares about God/Man     10 commandments
10 ounces        Care about community    10 commandments
-----------------------------------------------------

The following notes will clarify the above SYMBOLIC
interpretation

*1 The HALF-DOLLAR tax mentioned in Ex32-12 is symbolic
that EVERY person (symbolized by every DOLLAR) makes
a contribution to the Temple Hence the DOLLAR
symbolizes CARING about the LITTLE GUY

*2 Throughout Jewish and other philosophies there is
emphasis on the GOD-GOD vs GOD-MAN relationship.
Consequently anything with TWO symbolizes this
multi-faceted approach. One good example is the
10 commandments--the right side lists the GOD-MAN
commandments while the left side lists the MAN-MAN
commandments

*3 10 is the first two digit number and as such
symbolizes the community. For example, the basic
requirement for a religious service is 10 adults.
Similarly the 10 commandments are an example of
the requirements for an entire community.

We emphasize one more point.

Rashi is NOT NECESSARILY claiming that Eliezer and
Rivkah were prophetically aware of the laws of the
half-dollar tax and the 10 commandments. Rather I
am interpreting Rashi to SYMBOLICALLY interpret the
gifts as representing
- the little guy
- the community
- God-God vs God-Man relationship

However I suggest that Rashi never used abstract ideas.
Rather he STATED abstract ideas using CONCRETE examples
Thus the TWO TABLETS OF THE DECALOGUE are a GOOD
EXAMPLE of the GOD GOD vs the GOD MAN relationship.

LIST975w summarizes the above argument

EXAMPLE 2: Gn37-17a Gn37-17b
----------------------------
Gn37-15:17 discusses the search by Joseph for his brothers
We have indicated in another posting
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gn47-02a.htm, that the repeatedword MAN-MAN
connotes a non-standard man, an angel. This
would make Gn37-15:17 a dream. Rashi therefore applies
standard DREAM INTERPRETATION techniques
------------------------------------------------------
DREAM ITEM                SYMBOLIC MEANING
------------------------- ----------------------------
Joe ERRED in field        He thought brothers would bow to him
Angel asked WHAT YOU SEEK What did Joseph really want
Joe:I want my brothers    I want them bowing to me
Where are they            How do I get my dream fulfilled
Angel:MOVED from here     They think DIFFERENTLY now(Rashi)
I heard them talking      Shift in their thinking
We'll go to DOTAN         We'll make new RELIGION (Rashi)
------------------------------------------------------

The Rashi is further explained as follows
-----------------------------------------------
The word DOTH means RELIGION in Hebrew. Hence
Rashi symbolically interprets DOTAN as meaning
STARTING A NEW RELIGION. This NEW RELIGION would
- not be based on dreams (which is the religion
of Abraham Isaac and Jacob)
- but rather based on self-preservation and
fear of power (Which is the way the brothers
acted)
-----------------------------------------------

Rashi makes a further point
-----------------------------------------------
The simple meaning of the text is that Joseph
was prophetically told in a dream that his
brothers went to the place called DOTAN. A verse
NEVER departs from its simple meaning
-----------------------------------------------

It would appear that Rashi is CONTRADICTING himself
It would appear you do NOT have to believe in the
SYMBOLIC interpretation. But I would accept both
the SIMPLE and SYMBOLIC meaning
- Every dream has a simple meaning. If you are
worried where someone went you might have a dream
telling you where they went
- But the dream world uses real world events to
tell the dreamer additional information which is
buried in its symbolism (All dream books agree
with this).  So Rashi takes the simple meaning
of the text and SUPPLEMENTS this simple meaning
with a SYMBOLIC meaning--the idea of establishing
a new religion based on SELF PRESERVATION.


LIST975x summarizes this argument

List of                  marriage symbols in Eliezer's gift

List of                  symbolic meanings of Joes Dotan dream

SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Some Rashi comments deal with FORMATTING.
Modern authors FORMAT using such techniques as
BULLETS, PARAGRAPHING, BOLD, ITALICS and UNDERLINE.
The Biblical Author achieved these effects but thru
different means.

For example a modern author might hilight distinct
items using BULLETS. The Biblical Author hilights
distinct items using REPEATING KEYWORDS.

We call this the Rashi rule of FORMATTING with the Rashi
subrule of KEYWORDS AS BULLETS

(Rashi could also infer from the general PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
(without any keywords). We call this the the Rashi rule of
FORMATTING with the Rashi subrule of PARAGRAPHS.)


EXAMPLE Gn32-24a
----------------
Gn32-22:25 discussing Jacob's transversing a river with
his family and possessions has the following format. Note
in particular the bulleted effect created by the repeating
word PASSED OVER
---------------------------------------------------
-(1)- So the PRESENT PASSED OVER before him;
and he himself lodged that night in the camp.

-(2)- And he rose that night, and took his two wives,
and his two women servants, and his eleven sons,
and PASSED OVER the ford Jabbok.
And he took THEM, and PASSED them OVER the brook,
[ The people, wives, and children.]

-(3)- and PASSED OVER that which he had.,
[Rashi: His possessions]

-(4)- And Jacob was stayed behind alone; ...
[Rashi: To check for left behind items.]
---------------------------------------------------

Rashi note the 3 stages of PASSING OVER as well
as the 4th stage of JACOB STAYING BEHIND. Two
of the 3 stages are identified
- Jacob's present PASSED OVER
- Jacob's PEOPLE (wives,children) PASSED OVER
Rashi identifies the 3rd stage as a logical
complement to the other two stages
- Jacob's POSSESSIONS
Rashi similarly identifies the 4th stages
- Jacob stayed behind to look for left-behind
items.

Here Rashi uses the FORMATTING of the Biblical
paragraph as indicated by the REPEATED KEYWORD,
PASSED OVER to see an enumeration of DISTINCT
items with which Jacob travelled.

Although the Rashi comments are not forced they
are STRONGLY REASONABLE. This is an important
aspect of the FORMAT method. The reasonable
but not forced flavor of the FORMAT method
is characteristic of this method.

LIST120v below summarizes this argument

BULLETED structure of    Gn32-22:25 (Jacob & company pass over river)

Lighting summary of Rashis with emphasis on Rashi rules*10