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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 2000
Volume 7 Number 12
Produced Sept 4, 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
v9-9-4a WEBSITE For Chumash and Rashi in English
Note from Gilbert Issard (Answer to G Hermann)
http://www.mnemotrix.com/metsudah/
v9-9-4b COMING SOON:
4 Page Complete WP/WORD Document on Rashi Rules
My paper on "Gen 1 describes the creation of Prophecy"
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
---------------------
Dt27-09b Why do about a dozen verses use the word TODAY
Rashi shows 5 usages to the word TODAY
(This goes with next weeks Parshah)
QUESTIONS FROM READERS
----------------------
v9-9-4c Why are some recent postings lest clear than usual
Question by Dr John Loike
v9-9-4d WEB is now updated twice weekly--check it out!
v9-9-4e What does Y-R-SH mean inherit and poor
Question by Ron Mitnick
v9-9-4f Why the difference in phrases "Come to see God 3 times"
Question by Ron Mitnick
v9-9-4g My posting on IN ORDER THAT YOU LIVE did not mention
next world. Question by Dr John Loike
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF EXPLANATION
======== ============== =================
Dt27-09b STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt32-48a STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt31-02c STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt29-03b STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt26-03c STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt01-10a STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt29-12c STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt06-06b STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt11-13c STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt26-16a STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
Dt07-11a STYLE TODAY means FRESH,BRIGHT,BROAD DAYLIGHT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
RASHI IS SIMPLE
GOALS: To grammatically defend all 8000 Rashis on Chumash.
METHOD:Rashis are defended with LISTS of comparable cases
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Laymen, Academicians, Yeshiva world
COMMENTS,QUESTIONS: EMail to address below
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:If you want to ask anonymously please ask
(UN)SUBSCRIBE: Email to addresses below with "(UN)subscribe"
JOURNAL REFERECE: Pshat & Drash,TRADITION, Win 1980,R Hendel
NOTATION: eg Gn01-02a refers to Rashi "a" on Genesis 1:2
SPECIALS:...on Parshah,Rambam,Ramban,Pedagogy,Symbolism
RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RULES Complete set of rules on bottom
EMAIL: RJHendel@Juno.Com, rashi-is-simple@shamash.org,
WEB: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
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VERSE: v9-9-4a
From:
To: rjhendel@juno.com
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 16:11:06 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Rashi in English
Russell,
About Rashi in english there is a website which gives
chumash and rashi in english. I don't know what it is
worth really but I use sometimes when I have some
doubt about how to translate a rashi. The URL is :
www.mnemotrix.com/metsudah.
REgarding the comparison of approach, I personnally
think there is not only one unique approach. RAshi on
Gen3-8 or Song of Songs 1:1 is interesting because Rashi
explains his aims and what he believes regarding how
to read the tanakh (and the chumash of course).
Shabbat shalom
Gilbert
=====
Gilbert
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-9-4b
ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
The RULES page seems to be one of the most popular items on
the website. Many people have asked for electronic copies of
my original PSHAT & DRASH (Tradition Winter 1980)
My synagogue, Shomray Emunah publishes a Bi-Yearly bulletin.
I am submitting a short 4 page Wordperfect/word article on my
Rashi methods. It will be an expansion of my rules page but it
will be written in complete English sentences.
In fact my Rashi class doesn't know it, but in a half hour when
I start my Monday night class, they are proofreading the final
draft. I am posting this paper on the web with downloadable
versions.
This will be published on the web with downloadable versions.
ANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Ever since I presented my paper "Genesis 1 speaks about the
creation of prophecy not the creation of the world" at the
3rd international Religion-Science conference I have been
swamped with requests for reprints. I currently have about
4 dozen requests pending.
The journal it will be published in, BOR HATORAH, has consented
to let me publish it on my website---it will appear as both an
HTML file as well as a Word 7.0 and WP 6.1 file(downloadable).
This paper is a must for any serious student of science and
religion. I hope to get to this within the next 1 months.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Dt27-09b
RASHIS COVERED: Dt32-48a Dt31-02c Dt29-03b Dt26-03c Dt01-10a
Dt29-12c Dt06-06b Dt11-13c Dt26-16a Dt07-11a
Dt27-09b
BACKGROUND:
----------
Certain Biblical verses use the word TODAY--for example, "Do
the commandments that I command you TODAY".What is the
significance of the TODAY style?
RULE:
----
The word TODAY can indicate one of 5 meanings
a) It can indicate something being done in 'broad daylight'
b) It can indicate that something happened exactly today
c) It can emphasize a special day like an Anniversary
d) It can take on a new meaning--something special (like a 'star'
e) It can indicate freshness and newness
EXAMPLES:
--------
----------------------------------------------------------
In the following 5 examples*1 the phrase
IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS DAY denotes something being done
in BROAD DAYLIGHT
----------------------------------------------------------
1) Gn07-13-----Noach came into the ark IN BROAD DAYLIGHT
RASHI: The people of his generation wanted to stop him
So God put on a show of force--'Noach came in BROAD
DAYLIGHT to the ark and no one stopped him'
2) Ex12-51----The Jews left Egypt in BROAD DAYLIGHT
RASHI: The Egyptians wanted to stop the Exodus. So God
put on a show of force--'The Jews left in BROAD DAYLIGHT'
3) Dt32-48a--God ordered Moses to die in BROAD DAYLIGHT
RASHI: The people wanted to 'stop God' from taking Moses
on the grounds that he had done so many miracles for them
Therefore God took him away in Broad daylight
4) Lv23-21 The holidays must be celebrated in Broad daylight
(APPLICATION OF RASHIS METHODS TO SIMILAR VERSES: Since
all Jews will be in Jerusalem, the borders will be unguarded
and the non-Jews will want to attack. Therefore God gives
a show of force and protects the Jews(cf the explicit
statement in Ex34-24).
5) Gn17-23 Abraham circumcised himself in BROAD DAYLIGHT
(APPLICATION OF RASHIS METHODS TO SIMILAR VERSES:
Abraham was afraid that the nations he had just
conquered (Gn14) would attack him and his household while
he was recovering from circumcision (see Gn34-24:25 for a
similar tactic). Hence God put on a show of force and had
him circumcise in broad daylight.
NOTES
-----
*1 Rashi only cites the 1st 3 examples. There are actually 5.
We have taught numerous times that Rashi uses
workbook methods. Therefore we apply this translation
to all 5 examples
----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses TODAY means EXACTLY today
----------------------------------------------------------
6) Dt31-02c I am 120 years old TODAY
RASHI: It was his BIRTHDAY
7) Dt29-03b It is just TODAY that you know God protects you
RASHI: The following {LIST} of verses shows a sequence
of events that happened on that day
{LIST}
VERSE EVENT ON THAT DAY
----- -----------------
Dt29-03 You know TODAY that God protects you
Dt29-09 You stand before God TODAY to receive the convenant
Dt30-16 I give you TODAY the choice of GOOD vs EVIL
Dt31-02 I am 120 years old TODAY; Joshua is taking over
Dt31-24 Moses gives a copy of the Torah to the Levites
So Rashi conjectures that when the people saw Moses giving
a copy of the Torah to the Levites (to protect) they
complained and said 'What about us..we need a copy also'
Hence Moses responded...Now (that you have asked for a copy
also) you understand that God is **your** God
----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses TODAY refers to a SPECIAL DAY
like an ANNIVERSAY
----------------------------------------------------------
8) Dt26-03c I tell to God, THIS DAY, that we are in Israel
RASHI: THIS DAY----Like an anniversay day, once a year,
at Passover time we commemorate how God took us out of Egypt
----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses TODAY takes on a new meaning
The word TODAY means something BRIGHT & SPARKLING (like
the brightness of a day)
----------------------------------------------------------
{LIST} {Words denoting LIGHT and also something BRIGHT}
WORD MEANING OF LIGHT MEANING OF SPECIAL
---- ---------------- ------------------
Bright Bright light Intelligent
Star Light in sky Outstanding person
Beam Beam of light Beaming smile
Dazzle Dazzling light Outstanding performance
TODAY Daylight vs night Outstanding person
9) Dt01-10a You are THE DAY like multiple bright Stars
RASHI: You **must** interpret this verse as stated (that
THE DAY indicates something special like the word STAR
in English) Indeed in the very next verse Moses blesses
them that they should multiply--so the meaning of this
verse couldn't be that they are plentiful but rather
that despite their numbers, each Jew shined like a DAY
or Star
10) Dt29-12c God took you to make you a "THE DAY" to him
RASHI: Although it is possible that this verse means
that God took you TODAY to be his nation nevertheless
it just stated TODAY twice in the previous 2 verses.
Hence it is preferable to interpret this occurence
as THE DAY (like the English word STAR).
Furthermore (not in Rashi) there is a "pause" after
the word THE DAY indicating that it is the end of
a sentence "God has made you THE DAY".
----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses TODAY means FRESH*1
----------------------------------------------------------
11) Dt06-06b The FRESH commandments I give you
12) Dt11-13c The FRESH commandments I give you
13) Dt26-16a The FRESH commandments I give you
14) Dt07-11a The FRESH commandments I give you*2
15) Dt27-09b Hear Jews, you are REFRESHED as a nation to God
NOTES
-----
*1 There are two possible etymologies for this meaning
As we just explained TODAY functions like the words
BRIGHT, DAZZLING, STAR and hence can indicate something
Fresh.
Alternatively as we just explained TODAY can denote a
special day like an ANNIVERSARY which could then
metaphorically mean a SPECIAL day.
In either case the idea that TODAY=FRESH is definitely
a new meaning.
Note further that I interpret Rashis phrase "The word
TODAY means that you should regard it as if it was given
today" to mean "TODAY means FRESH"
*2 Rashi on this verse says "The commandments that I command
you TODAY TO DO"---TO DO today; TO RECEIVE REWARD tomorrow
in the next world".
However as can be seen from our ONE DOZEN examples, TODAY
never means IN THIS WORLD!!
Thus I think it preferable to classify this usage of TODAY
as meaning FRESH.
As to Rashis (explicit) statement "TODAY TO DO; TOMORROW
TO RECEIVE REWARD" I suggest this is a reference to how
people who serve God from love (Dt07-09:11) serve God
FRESHLY--they do the commandments out of love and don't
seek reward.
I realize that one can make a LIST and show that this is
the only verse where it says TODAY TO DO. However as
I have pointed out, of the dozen or so usages of DAY we
have none that mean THIS WORLD (Furthermore such a meaning
would be inconsistent with the other usages).
It would appear that further investigation must be made
into this rashi (TzaRiCh Iyun).
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-9-4g
From: "John D. Loike"
Subject: Re: RASHI-IS-SIMPLE digest 161
RE: The following posting
---------------------------------------------------
VERSE: Dt17-20b
RASHIS COVERED: Dt17-20b Ex16-20b Ex20-12a Dt22-07a
Dt12-25b Dt24-19d Dt11-21a
RULE:
----
The Torah, in 7 commandments, explicitly states that
we should do commandments "IN ORDER THAT IT BE GOOD
WITH YOU AND YOU WILL GET GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE".
These 7 commandments span the spectrum of all commandments
Hence we infer that doing ANY commandment leads to getting
GOOD and HAVING GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE.
--------------------------------------------------------
John says:
I am not sure your interpretation of Rashi is correct.
I refer you to both the Abarbanel and Maharal on Dt versions
of the Ten commandments where the
term "it will be good" is related to the next world.
ANSWER:
John
I am aware of that Abarbanel and Maharal (also a Rashi).That
is why I said "GETTING GOOD and HAVING GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE"
This could refer to EITHER this world or the next world.
My main point had nothing to do with the content of the
reward (Whether in this world or the next) but rather has
to do with the fact that REWARD is only mentioned in 7
commandments and these commandments span the entire
spectrum of commandments. Hence we infer that doing any
commandment will lead to REWARD (Whatever that reward is)
With regard to your citation from Abarbanel and Maharal
(also Rashi) I have explained this on the email group
Bais Medrash. I cited the Radack that the Hebrew phrase
ORECH YAMIM means QUALITY OF LIFE not LONG LIFE and hence
refers to the next world. I actually show that all the
Talmuds conception of the next world occurs in verses with
the phrase ORECH YAMIM.
But this is not the subject of this email list whose ultimate
goal is explanation of Chumash and Rashi.
Russell
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-9-4e
Ron Mitnick heard over Shabbath some discussion of the 3 meanings
of Y-R-Sh.
ANSWER: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt28-42a.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------
| Rashi is Simple Version 2.0 |
| (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000 |
| http://www.RashiYomi.Com |
| PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE: Dt28-42a
RULE: The meaning of the Hebrew root Y-R-Sh depends on the
connecting word used with it. There are 3 possible meanings
EXAMPLES
--------
(1) In the KAL MODE,Y-R-SH means to INHERIT as in
Gn21-10 "He won't INHERIT with my son Isaac"
(2) In the PIEL MODE, Y-R-SH means to BECOME POOR as in
Gn45-11 "Lest you become POOR"
(3) In the HIFIL MODE, Y-R-SH means to conquer as in
Nu21-32 "And they CONQUERED the Emori which was there"
(3b) So in Dt28-42 since the HIFIL mode occurs the proper
translation would be "The LOCUSTS will IMPOVERISH (CONQUER)
the tree from its fruits"
---------------------------------------------------
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 1 Number 11
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-9-4f
Ron Mitnick points out that Ex34-23, Ex23-17, Dt16-16 all state
the same thing but in different styles. They are state that "3
times a year people should go up to see God (on the festivals)"
There are however alot of strange minor differences in these
verses. Rashi usually comments on these differences. In fact
the other commentators **do** comment on the differences.
(In this email list we have called this the method of DOUBLE
PARSHAS)
So Rons question is "Why is Rashi silent?"
ANSWER: My own opinion is that Rashi was silent because a
similar DOUBLE PARSHAH **was explained** by him. So I will
be the on the lookout for a similar set of 2-3 verses with
similar minor differences. Such searches usually take me
a year--since we don't know exactly what we are looking for.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Ron asked me this question 6 months ago.
So this posting is part of my New Year repentance on this
email group.
Russell
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-9-4c
From: "John D. Loike"
Subject: Re: RASHI-IS-SIMPLE digest 161
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
On a more personal note: I think your explanations are
sometimes not clearly stated. Lately I find it more
difficult to understand your main points. Maybe it is just
me and that I am working too hard. Still I enjoy
your thoughts.
ANSWER:
-------
John you are absolutely correct. The reason things are a bit
less clear lately is because
--for my other rules I can easily give 10-20 examples
--for the rule of climax each single example may have 4-5
Rashis and may take up a whole issue
Consequently for the rule of climax it is harder to pin down
what it is that is being said. Hence it is a bit less clear
So....First: I am taking a vacation from the rule of CLIMAX
in this issue...I am going back to some nice rules of style
Hope you like them
Second: After having reviewed many examples of CLIMAX I am
prepared to do what I have always done: Classify the usages.
Thus we will see that sometimes CLIMAX refers to development
(eg bud, fruit, flower). However sometimes CLIMAX refers to
the COMPONENTS of an item (Eg Justice consists of fairness
to the 3 parts of the judicial process:litigants, process
and judge).
Furthermore I have finally understood that CLIMAX is not a
literary phenomena but a logical phenomena as it follows
Rabbi Ishmaels' rules of dealing with examples.
In the near future I will give one grand summary and
everything will be as clear as distilled mountain water.
By the way...I really appreciate the patience of readers
like yourself....As a colleague in research you know it
is important to continuously redo explanations. Our present
version of Rashi was his 3rd attempt (Revisions to 2 previous
atttempts). Thus I appreciate your putting up with me for
a few issues till I get it 'just right'.
But look---AND THE SAME TO ALL READERS---if I am
getting carried away with myself and becoming unclear--just
holler---there are 8000 Rashis. I can always use a breather.
Hope that clarifies what is going on.
Oh...and Mazel tov on becoming a great uncle
Russell Hendel;
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rules.htm
=======================================
I: RASHI gives MEANING
======================
A: NEW MEANINGS--(eg)"on the face of"=during the lifetime
Volume 2 Number 9, http://www.rashiyomi.Com/Nu04-04a.htm
B: SPECIAL WORDS--(eg)ACH=USUALLY;USUALLY observe shabbath!
Rashi Yomi Summaries,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ach-6.htm
C: SYNONYMS--(eg)AMR=to speak; DBR=to cite or to quote;
Volume 2 Number 1, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Lv20-02a.htm
D: WORD MEANINGS-Thermos(TzNTzNTh)=doubly(TZN TZN) Cold(TZN)
Volume 1 Number 9,23,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex31-15a.htm
E: UNIFIED MEANINGS-PAAM=Repeated action:To Ring,Hammer,Step
Volume 1 Number 3,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn41-08a.htm
II: RASHI teaches GRAMMAR/STYLE
===============================
F: CLASSICAL GRAMMAR--(eg)QUESTION = HEY+CHATAF PATACH
Volume 3 Number 22,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn04-09z.htm
G: USAGE(NEW GRAMMAR)--(eg)INFINITIVE="be involved in";
Volume 5 Number 24,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex13-03a.htm
H: ROOT+PREPOSITION--(eg)ChZK B="to hold";ChZK M="overpower"
Volume 1 Number 7,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex04-04a.htm
I: THE SENTENCE--2 verses can make 1 sentence-eg Dt02-16:17
Volume 3 Number 7,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt19-06a.htm
J: STYLE--REPETITION denotes Endearment;eg 'Jacob Jacob'
Volume 1 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Gn46-02a.htm
K: DOUBLE NOUNS--(eg)"GIVE GIVE";if not CHARITY then LOAN
Double Noun page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/DN.htm
L: PRONOUNS-(eg)IMCHAH=with you; ITCHAH=Accompanying you;
Volume 3 Number 13,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Ex22-24c.htm
III: OVERALL TEXTUAL STRUCTURE
==============================
M: OTHER VERSES--Aaron SAW(Ex32-05)...the brawl(Ex32-18)
OTHER VERSE page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ov.htm
N: EXTRA SENTENCES-eg[GIVE HIM][WHAT HE NEEDS](Not if rich)
Volume 2 Number 20,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt15-08c.htm
O: DOUBLE PARSHAS-'he WILL pray'-'he WON'T pray';So Optional
Volume 3 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt24-14a.htm
P: CLIMAX-(eg Dt19-11)(a)Hate, (b)spy, (c)confront,(d)Murder
Climax Page, http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Climax.htm
Q: OVERALL STRUCTURE-growing nails=despisement(from context)
Volume 3 Number 8,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt21-11a.htm
R: SPREADSHEETS-What is the marriage loophole in inheritance
Volume 2 Number 23,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Nu36-03a.htm
IV: BEYOND THE TEXT
===================
S: MORAL LESSONS/REASONS-God explains BEFORE punishing;
Volume 2 Number 12,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Nu12-09a.htm
T: RabbiIshmael-(eg)"When an OX gores";(Or ANY animal gores)
Volume 4 Number 21,http://www.RashiYomi.Com/Dt25-04a.htm
End of Rashi-Is-Simple Digest
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*