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(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 2000
Volume 7 Number 8
Produced Aug 22 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
---------------------
Dt15-07a There are 8 Hebrew roots meaning poverty
Dt15-11d Review Rashis method of teaching grammar by
almost identical word pairs
Dt15-04a 2 Verses on Poverty contradict each other
Dt06-13a The principle of CLIMAX teachs OUTREACH methods
How do you successfully "hang out" with the religious
community
Dt03-02a AKIVA SUNNESS refutes a prior claim that OG was ELIEZER
This posting affords an excellent opportunity on how
to creatively use mistakes to learn.
NEW YEAR PREPARATIONS--CORRECTIONS OF MISTAKES--REPENTANCE
----------------------------------------------------------
v9-8-23a In honor of the New Year repentance season
I am having an open house on correcting errors from
previous issues. Please send in any errors you noted
(I correct a faulty URL with GILBERT ISSARDS question)
v9-8-23b A well known east coast Rabbi finds 3 contradictions to
a recent posting claiming that HAELOHIM refers to
JUDICIAL PROCESS This offers an opportunity to
discuss methodology
v9-8-23c SARAH MANNING asks my opinion on Wein's Rashi Filem
FREE DOWNLOADS- ***WORD*** VERSION
----------------------------------
v9-8-23d WORD VERSION of Index file for free Rashi downloads
available next Sunday(Acknowledgement to LYNN A
WEINBERG)
WEBSITE UPDATED
---------------
v9-8-23e Website is completely updated with many new features
Recent postings more accessible; Favorite section;
biweekly updates; free downloads; help screen...
About 150 postings were added to the website--all
postings in Volume 6 Number 20 thru the present.
Thus the website is now up to date.
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF EXPLANATION
======== ============== =================
Dt15-07a SYNONYMS There are 8 Hebrew roots meaning poor
Dt24-14b SYNONYMS There are 8 Hebrew roots meaning poor
Dt15-04b SYNONYMS There are 8 Hebrew roots meaning poor
Dt06-13a CLIMAX A theme is developed climactically
Dt13-05a CLIMAX A theme is developed climactically
Dt13-05b CLIMAX A theme is developed climactically
Dt13-05c CLIMAX A theme is developed climactically
Dt13-05d CLIMAX A theme is developed climactically
Dt15-04a RabbiIshmael 5 methods for resolving contradictions
Dt03-02a DOUBLE PARSHAS God said "Dont be afraid" only by 1 war
--------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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
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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/
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Dt15-07a
RASHIS COVERED: Dt15-07a Dt15-04b Dt24-14b
RULE: The Hebrew word EVYON comes from the Hebrew root AVH.
AVH means to ACQUIESCE.
Hence EVYON(poor)=Someone who acquiesces(AVH) to everyone
3 EXAMPLES
----------
Dt24-14b EVYON--RASHI:Someone who must acquiesce(AVH) to everyone
Dt15-07a EVYON--RASHI: The first to acquiesce & give in
Dt15-04b EVYON--RASHI: DL, ONI(2 words for poor);acquiesces
SUPPORT FROM THE MIDRASH VAYIKRAH RABBAH: 34:6
----------------------------------------------
{LIST} {The 8 Hebrew roots that mean poverty: Note this
is a SEMANTIC list and cannot be produced with
CD roms. These 8 names are listed by severity
of the poverty*5}
ROOT MEANING VERSE WHY IT MEANS POVERTY
---- ------- ------- --------------------
DLH Bit by bit Ex02-19*1 Poor loses his money bit by bit
YRSH Conquer Dt28-42 The poor has been "conquered"
SCh Protect Ps27-5*2 Someone "protected" by an "owner"
AVH Acquiesce Job9-26*3 The poor "acquiesces" to all
ANH Answer 1K18-21 The poor "answers" to everybody
HLCH Walk 2Sam12-4 A "beggar" who roams and begs
DCA Cut off Ps51-19*4 "He sees food but can't reach for it
MCH Crushed Ecc10-18 Everyone "steps" on the poor
NOTES
-----
*1 It usually means to "draw water bit by bit" but this root
can be used to denote anything done bit by bit such as
"My eyes bit by bit turn to God (in prayer)"(Isa38-14)
*2 The root actually means "to cover"--but "covering" in the
sense that it affords "protection" like a Succah hut that
protects.
*3 The translation "AVH=Acquiesce" instead of the usual
"AVH=desire" is a brilliancy due to the master of
nuance, Rav Hirsch who skillfully cites Job9-26 which
refers to "boats of acquiescence"(sailboats? that
acquiesce to the wind?).
Note that Rashi, following the Midrash Rabbah **does**
translate EVYON as "TAYV TAYV" to everything..so it
"looks like" Rashi thinks that EVYON=TAYV is someone
who desires everything. But in truth, the root TAYV
occurs only 4 times in the Bible and it could equally
mean DESIRE or ACQUIESCE so indeed Rashi and the Midrash
are fully consistent with Rav Hirsch. (As an example the
verse Am06-08 could mean "I do NOT DESIRE the HONOR
of Jacob" or it could more poignantly mean "I(God) will
NOT ACQUIESCE to the HONOR of Jacob")
*4 The RADACK explicitly says that both the roots DCA and DCH
both mean "broken and cut off".
Note that it would be reasonable to say that the poor
person is "cut off from friends and society". The midrash
points out that in extreme poverty one is ALSO cut off
from ones own emotions---"The poor person sees food but
cannot reach out (because of his poverty)--he is "cut off"
from the food"
*5 Thus we have the following TYPES of poverty
-------------------------------------------------
These people are poor now but once had money
-------------------------------------------------
DL "BIT BY BIT"--He loses his money bit by bit
RSH "CONQUERED"--He had money but was BEATEN in a business deal
---------------------------------------------------------------
These poor people at least are protected/interact with people
---------------------------------------------------------------
SCN "PROTECTED"--He is poor but "belongs" someplace
AVYN "ACQUIESCE"--He belongs but must "give in" to his owner
ANI "ANSWER"-----He belongs but must "answer" to his "owner"
---------------------------------------------------------------
These people have no money and do not belong anywhere
---------------------------------------------------------------
HLK "WALK"--he doesn't belong anywhere but begs
DCh "CUT OFF"--he sees offers of food/money but can't reach out
MCH "CRUSHED"--he sits there is trampled by everybody
RULE: SYNONYMS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Dt15-11d
RASHI: The word A-N-Y-Y-K-H means "The poor (PLURAL) among you"
The word A-N-Y---K-H means "A poor (SINGULAR)among you"
RULE: A Hebrew noun form that endy in YUD, (Y) has
a) 1 YUD in the singular
b) 2 YUD in the plural.
SOURCES FOR GRAMMAR
-------------------
Since I mentioned Moshe Silbermans recently completed book on
Grammar lask week I thought I might show some simpler resources
The back of the standard EVN SHOSHAN dictionary gives a list
of NOUN FORMS with SINGULAR and PLURAL forms. If you look at
the 5th class, NOUN FORMS 194-196 you will see that Hebrew words
like
TzLY
YoFY
YeFY
all have 1 Yud in the singular but 2 Yud in the plural.
PEDAGOGIC NOTE: We have already noted that Rashis method of
-------------- teaching grammar was by using pairs of forms
that were almost completely identical but differed in some
small item. See http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ex01-20a.htm but
for 3 other examples.
RULE: GRAMMAR
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Dt15-04a
The following two verses contradict each other.One verse says
there won't be poor while the other verse says there will be poor
-------------------------------------------------------
Dt15-04 ..for there will be no poor AMONG YOU
Dt15-11 ..for poverty will not cease FROM THE LAND
-------------------------------------------------------
A simple resolution is obtained by reading the entire chapter
(Dt15-03:06) There shall be a forgiveness of loans in
the 7th year. ...For there will no poverty among you...
ONLY if you observe the commandments that God gives
you....because God will bless you and YOU WILL LEND
TO MANY NATIONS BUT YOU YOURSELF WILL NOT LOAN &
YOU WILL REIGN OVER MANY NATIONS BUT YOU YOURSELF
WILL NOT BE REIGNED OVER"
So we have quite clearly
a) If you observe Gods law there will no Jewish poor but only
non Jewish poor
b) If you don't observe Gods law there will be Jewish poor
(eg We could bring other verses which speak about
poverty as punishment such as Dt28-37:48)
Note the general topic of TWO VERSES THAT CONTRADICT OR
COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER has been covered in full. This is
one of RabbiIshmael's 13 rules of style---a full summary
may be found at http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ri-14.htm
Recall there are 5 methods to resolve two contradictory verses
The above method of resolution is called "two aspects of the
same thing". Here are some examples
{LIST} {Methods of resolving a contradiction}
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 METHOD HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ======= ===========================================
Nu21-21 Dt02-26 Aspects MOSES sent delegates on behalf of ISRAEL
One verse says "Moses sent delegates"
A 2nd verse says "ISRAEL sent delegates"
RESOLUTION: Moses sent on behalf of Israel
Thus the 2 verses (MOSES sent, ISRAEL sent) are indeed
2 ASPECTS of the same act.
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 METHOD HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ======= ===========================================
Ex20-19 Ex19-20 Aspects Gods voice in HEAVEN;His FIRE on EARTH
One verse says "The Torah came from HEAVEN"
Another verse says"The Torah was received on EARTH"
RESOLUTION: Gods VOICE is from heaven; His FIRE is from earth
Thus the 2 verses (from HEAVEN, from EARTH) are 2 aspects
of the same thing.
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 METHOD HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ======= ===========================================
Ex40-35 Ex25-22 Aspects Moses at Entrance; Gods by Crubim (4-7-89)
One verse says "God spoke to Moses by the CERUVIM"
Another verse says"God spoke to Moses by the TENT OPENING"
RESOLUTION: Moses stood by the tent entrance and heard Gods
voice from the Ceruvim.
Thus the 2 verses(by the CERUVIM, by the TENT opening) are
two aspects of the same thing
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 METHOD HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ======= ===========================================
Ex28-37 Ex39-30 Aspects Priest MASK went AROUND and OVER head
One verse says "The priest MASK went AROUND the head"
Another says "The priest MASK went OVER the head"
RESOLUTION: The MASK was like a zorro mask--a string went
around the head to secure it while another string went
over the head to secure it (Our Masks only have 1
string--around the head). Thus the 2 verses( AROUND
head, OVER head) are 2 aspects of the same thing.
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 METHOD HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ======= ===========================================
Dt15-04 Dt15-11 Aspects Poverty in land;not among Jews
One verse says "There will be poverty in LAND"
Another says "There will no be poverty AMONG YOU"
RESOLUTION: There will always be a POOR class. But
if you observe Gods will there will be no poverty
among you. In other words, you have the choice to
either participate in Non-Jewish poverty or be on top
of them, provided you observe Gods law.
RULE: RabbiIshmael
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Dt06-13a
RASHIS EXPLAINED: Dt06-13a Dt13-05a Dt13-05b Dt13-05c Dt13-05d
RULE:
----
The principle of CLIMAX says that in the Bible
a) 3 or more consecutive similar phrases **should**
be interpreted as developing CLIMACTICALLY. 1st step one,
then step 2, then step 3 etc
EXAMPLE: The verse Dt19-11 describes murder using 4 phrases
--When a person HATES somebody
--and he STALKS him
--and CONFRONTS him
--and HITS HIM LETHALLY so that he dies.
We **could** interpret this to mean "When someone murders
someone". But because of the principle of CLIMAX we interpret
the 4 phrases as CLIMACTICALLY leading to MURDER. Murder
happens in 4 stages
a) EMOTIONAL: You HATE the person
b) OBSERVATIONAL: You OBSERVE the person CONSTANTLY(obsession)
c) SOCIAL: You CONFRONT the person
The above 3 will naturally lead to murder.
b) This principle of CLIMAX, **by itself** can be used to decide
the meaning of ambiguous phrases(even if nothing else besides
CLIMAX supports the decision)
EXAMPLE: In the above example from Dt19-11 I could have
interpreted RISE UP ON HIM to **either** mean KILL or
CONFRONT. For the verb to RISE UP does have 2 meanings
The only reason I chose CONFRONT vs KILL is that the
principle of CLIMAX requires a CLIMACTIC development.
c) Note that it is legitimate to hold the position that
"If it wasn't for the principle of CLIMAX I would say that
these 3 or 4 phrases all say the **same** thing and this is
common in poetry;but BECAUSE of the principle of CLIMAX I
am justified in assuming that each phrase has a distinct
meaning and that the 3 or 4 phrases build up to a CLIMAX."
EXAMPLE: There is nothing wrong in Dt19-13 in stating that
"The Bible is simply talking about murder and is using
a conversational style. However the principle of CLIMAX
additionally teaches me HOW murders take place."
In general the principle of CLIMAX can be vigorously used
to teach outreach. For each example of CLIMAX, by
teaching us HOW something happens can be reversed and show
us how to stop it.
d) The principle of climax is associated with the RabbiIshmael
principle of the DETAIL-GENERAL style.
EXAMPLE: The last phrase in Dt19-13 is MURDER,
something GENERAL. The other phrases---HATRED, STALKING,
CONFRONTATION are DETAILS associated with murder.
The RabbiIshmael Rule of DETAIL-GENERAL requires a broad
interpretation of the DETAILS to be consistent with the
GENERAL principle---and this is exactly what the principle
of CLIMAX teaches---that the DETAILS lead up to the GENERAL
EXAMPLES
--------
Ex 1) Dt06-13a
-------------------
FEAR God
WORSHIP God
SWEAR by his name.
RASHI (rephrased):
-----------------
The Torah teaches psychology: A person tends to swear by those
things that
-a) he is AFRAID of
-b) he is INVOLVED in and WORKS at.
APPLICATION
-----------
(1)(Rashi) If you really FEAR God and really WORSHIP him then
when you spontaneously swear you will swear by Gods name.
(2)(Not in Rashi) Those people who are INVOLVED in a physical
life and who continuously WORRY about their standing in the
physically oriented life style community tend to swear using
foul language (ie physical language). This is well known...we
merely point out how this is consistent with Rashis principle
Ex Dt13-05a-d
-------------
Dt13-05a Watch Gods COMMANDMENTS Rashi: The Torah
Dt13-05b Listen to his VOICE Rashi: Enactments of Prophets
Dt13-05c WORSHIP him Rashi: Temple service
Dt13-05d "Hang out" with religious people
RASHI: The 'community' you hang out with to give
charity, visit sick, help in weddings etc...should
be a religious community.
NOTE: Before continuing we show that the interpretation of
Dt13-05d as "Hang out with the righteous" is consistent with
the usage of the verb DVK. Please visit URL
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt11-22c.htm. Here is a summary
RULE: The meaning of the Hebrew root D-V-K varies according to
the connective word that is used with it. The root can mean
PASTED, OVERTAKE, HANG OUT WITH, ADOPT A LIFE STYLE.
EXAMPLES
--------
(1) D-V-K TO means PASTED as in Thr4-4 "Infant tongues became PASTED
to their Palate because of the drought"
(2) D-V-K ETH means OVERTAKE as in Gn31-23 "Laban OVERTOOK Jacob"
(3) D-V-K WITH & D-V-K IN mean to "HANG OUT WITH" or "ADOPT A
"LIFESTYLE" as in Ruth2-8 "HANG OUT with my workers" or
2King3 "He clung to YARAVAMS LIFE STYLE of sin" or 1King11-2
"King Solomon HUNG OUT (or ADOPTED LIFE STYLE) of the heathen
women he married"
(4) Dt11-22c means "Adopt a Godly LIFE STYLE" or "HANG OUT with
people of God" and is interpreted to mean that one should
try and "hang out" with Torah scholars.
USE OF CLIMAX:
-------------
So the CLIMACTIC development of the verse teaches us HOW to
Hang out with a religious community. Suppose you wanted
to join the "religious crowd"--What would you do? The
Torah teaches us outreach methods for joining the religious
community.
Step 1: "Watch Gods commandments"
ie The Torah--ie BASIC TENETS OF BELIEF
Step 2: "Hearken to His voice"
ie FOLLOWUPS--RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
eg Enactments of the Prophet-Sages
Step 3: "WORSHIP HIM"
ie SYMBOLIC ACTS--eg the Temple procedures
Step 4: "Hang out" with the religious community
APPLICATION TO OUTREACH
-----------------------
QUESTION: Suppose a person
--Observes the Shabbath
--follows all rabbinical commandments
What is he missing? Why isn't he fully accepted?
ANSWER: eg When other people's children come over they eg
don't see Shabbos pictures, little plays, children
baking challah etc--therefore they don't feel
totally "at home".
To remedy this--to feel "totally at home" we need
"symbolic" affirmations of Shabbos such as
Shabbos pictures, little plays, etc.
SUMMARY: To become "part of the community" you need all
3 components:
a) BASIC BELIEFS,
b) CONTINUAL UPDATES,
c) SYMBOLIC AFFIRMATIONS
Only then is it possible to "hang out" with the community
NOTE:
----
We emphasize how the interpretation of the above verse was
accomplished by climax. Indeed each of the words in the
verse has ambiguous meaning
LISTEN TO HIS COMMANDS could mean EITHER observe the Torah
or listen to the prophets.
HEARKEN TO HIS VOICE can refer to prophecy(See Rashi on
Gn21-12). "HEARKEN TO HIS VOICE" can also eg simply mean
observing the Torah!
WORSHIP HIM could mean "perform all his commandments".
WORSHIP HIM can also refer specifically to temple service
(ef Nu18-06).
So **each** of these phrases could mean EITHER to perform
commandments or could mean something specific.
It is therefore the principle of CLIMAX which encourages
me to interpret these phrases in a manner that climatically
leads to a terminal goal of "hanging out with the religious
crowd."
RULE USED: CLIMAX
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VERSE: Dt03-02a
Dt03-02a And God said to Moses don't fear OG
RASHI: Rashi compares the 2 verses Dt03-02 Dt02-31
Dt02-31And God said ----- *1 ------I give you Sichon
Dt03-02And God said DON'T FEAR HIM I give you OG
NOTES
-----
*1 It says DON'T be afraid by OG vs SICHON
because OG had an additional MERIT that SICHON
did not have---OG helped Abraham save Lot.(This
is shown below*2). Hence Moses feared this merit
would help OG. Hence God had to reassure Moses.
*2 This posting is an excellent example of how mistakes
can creatively lead to new insights.
1) Recall that in Volume 4 Number 11 (and also in Number 1)
I claimed that "Chazal believed that OG was ELIEZER"
2) Akiva Sunness refuted this view. To appreciate the
refutation we review WHY I believed this
3) Recall the following 4 verses
3a) Gn14-05 And they smote the REFAIM
3b) Gn14-13 And the SURVIVOR came and told Abraham
that his nephew was captured
3c) Dt03-11 OG, AT THE VERY LEAST survived the Refamim
NOTE: This last verse translation is based on
the translation that the Hebrew word RAK means
AT THE VERY LEAST (not only)which in fact was
shown in Volume 4 Number 11. See good examples in
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gn20-11a.htm
BASED on these 3 verses we infer that
1) At the very least OG survived the REFAIM war
2) He is the survivor who told Abraham that his
nephew was captured
3) He must have survived SOMETHING ELSE(probably
the flood) since it says HE AT THE VERY LEAST
SURVIVED the REFAIM (implying he survived
something else)
3d) Chazal now cite the a 4th verse dealing with the
sins of the flood people
Gn06-02 And the Sons of Judges/Powerful people
came and snatched girls
So CHAZAL conjecture that the reason the wicked
OG came and told Abraham that his nephew was
captured was probably so that "Abraham would try
and rescue him, would die in the war with the
Refaim, and then OG could marry Sarah whom we
know was very beautiful.
4) In summary we have
*given strong proof that OG survived the Refaim
*given strong proof that he told Abraham about
the Capture of his nephew
*given plausible proof that OG survived the flood
*given a conjecture as to why he wanted to help
Abraham
*However my further conjecture that OG volunteered
to work as a servant for Abraham so that he could
get Sarah when Abraham died, this further
conjecture is unfounded.(This is what AKiva
pointed out)
5) I finally did the research on WHY I believed this
and found the following language in Rashi in
>>>>>
Dt03-02a And God said to Moses don't fear OG
RASHI: Rashi compares the 2 verses Dt03-02 Dt02-31
Dt02-31And God said ----- *1 ------I give you Sichon
Dt03-02And God said DON'T FEAR HIM I give you OG
NOTES
-----
*1 It says DON'T be afraid by OG vs SICHON
because OG had an additional MERIT that SICHON
did not have---OG helped Abraham save Lot.(This
is shown below). Hence Moses feared this merit
would help OG. Hence God had to reassure Moses.
>>>
Rashi now adds language NOT found in the Midrash
Rabbah 42:8. Rashi claims that
>>>>
"...and since he was interested in Sarah therefore
OG ***served*** Abraham"
>>>>
It was this langauge "***served***" that led me to
believe that OG actually served Abraham and was
Eliezer.
After a discussion with Akiva we reached the
following conclusion.
* If OG had ONLY told Abraham about the capture
it wouldn't have caused Moses to worry (So
what?...he did one favor)
* Therefore OG probably did MANY favors for him
Eg (An original suggestion of mine in Volume 4
Number 11) OG may have given Abraham military
positions and/or loaned him troops. So indeed
OG **served** Abraham (but was not Eliezer.)
SUMMARY: As the above example shows my mistake caused me
to carefully read Rashi and discover the word ***served***
which is not used by the Midrash Rabbah. This word "**served**"
in turn encouraged me to seek greater depth to OGs so called
favor(OG did more than just tell about Lots capture). Rashi
had a reason for conjecturing this---without the extra service
Moses fear did not seem reasonable.
PSOTSCRIPT: I also privately emailed Barbara, who in Volume
4 Number 15 complained "I really was beginning to believe
that Rashi is simple UNTIL you claimed that OG was ELIEZER..
that blew my mind..." See Volume 4 Number 15 for her letter
Akiva also said the same thing "How can you compare a wicked
person like OG who wanted to destroy the Jews with Eliezer"
(In response I assumed that OG was righteous then and turned
wicked later).
All in all a good exchange of ideas. Barbara was happy I
remembered her question.
RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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VERSE: v9-8-23a
In honor of the New Year I am "repenting" from all
mistakes that I know of on Rashi-is-Simple. (I really
don't know of that many so please send me in anything
you may have noticed--even a typo).
In the last posting I gave an incorrect URL for
Gilbert Issards question. The correct URL is
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h3n10.htm
Please send in any mistakes you have noticed.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-8-23b
QUESTION from WELL KNOWN East Coast Rabbi on HA E LO HIM
--------------------------------------------------------
> With respect to the use of "HaElokim" in place of "Elokim," two
> points:
>
> (a) It is well-known that when differentiating between the
> Shem Adnus and the Shem Elokus, the former refers to Middas
> Horachamim and the latter to Middas Hadin, which means that the
> connotation of judgment is, to some degree, present even without
> the Heh.
>
> (b) If your rule is to be accepted, it should have no
> exceptions. How do you explain the use of the Heh in Breishis 27:28
> (V'yiten l'cha--a bracha, not a judgment) and in 42:15 (HaElokim
> haroeh osi me'odi ad hayom hazeh)? Or Koheles 3:14 (kol asher
> ya'aseh HaElokim hu yihyeh l'olam--referring to the eternity of His
> deeds, not to any act of judgment)?
>
MY RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS
-----------------------------------
b) The 3 exceptions:Gn27-28 Gn42-15 Koheleth 3-14
I agree with your principle that there should be no exceptions.
This is a problem with methodology. Let me explain what happened
---I am analyzing some word or phrase (eg HA ELO HIM) or eg last
week I analyzed all occurences of BAYTH HHIH (AT THAT TIME)
---I have two choices
a) I can explain all cases
b) I can explain all cases in Rashi
--If there are a great many cases I will just do the Rashi cases
I feel I have achieved something. If there are under 2-4 dozen I
might do all cases. So if you go to my website I do analyze ALL 18
occurrences of AT THAT TIME and show there are 4 usages (Rashi comments
on only 6 so it is a good example of how 6 Rashis can explain 4 cases
which however cover 18 cases). If you would like to see this posting
then since you are using Juno you need only click on
http://www.RashiYomi.com/h7n6.htm
I just did this last week
---Now eg I once reviewed about 40 Rashis on the word ALL and found
5 methods of usage. Since then I have found other Rashis and there
are certainly are other verses. However I feel I have made a contribution.
Even though there are 100s of "ALL" in tnach I sufficed with 40 Rashis.
Certainly however you are right also...these other cases should be
explained. If you want to see the 40 Rashis on all and the 5 cases
please click on
http://www.RashiYomi.com/all-18.htm
---But if I am analyzing eg the difference between DBR and AMR or
between E LO HIM and AD NAY then I obviously can't analyze several
hundred cases. With HA EL O HIM I was happy to find the 7 Rashis
and explain them using the concept of JUDICIAL PROCESS.
I believe this answers your 2nd question as follows
--yes I should have analyzed all cases
--but I only analyzed all cases in Rashi
--I feel this has value
--I also STRONGLY feel that Rashi put everything in these 7 Rashis
needed to explain other verses.
SO...I will indeed look at these other verses...perhaps I will have
to revise my principle. It usually takes me about a week or two to
do such an analysis. I will get back to you.
a) "If HA EL O HIM means JUDICIAL Process then how do you account
for EL O HIM vs AD NAY"
Let me put it this way--I was surprised as you are. But Rashi does
say that HA ELO HIM means Judicial process and on the 7 cases I cited
there is a strong emphasis on Judicial process.
I offhand do NOT have a good explanation (or understanding) of
E LO HIM vs AD NAY. "JUSTICE" vs "MERCY" does not work well inALL
cases. I don't have a better explanation.
So at this point I am content in understanding HA ELO HIM in a way
that will cover all cases.
Again this is a question of process and methodology...what should
I do first...I feel the most productive approach is to analyze
the less frequently occuring HA ELO HIM.
I hope the above methodological issues clarify what I was trying
to do. I with Gods help will get back to you on the 3 exceptions
Russell Hendel; Phd ASA;
Dept of Math; Towson Univ
Moderator Rashi is SImple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-8-23c
QUESTION from SARAH MANNING on RASHI FILM
-----------------------------------------
On Thu, 17 Aug 2000 14:23:14 +0100 "Sarah Manning"
writes:
> Are you aware of the beautiful film about the life of Rashi produced
> by Rabbi Berel Wein? Would you be willing to promote it on your
> website?
Sarah
No! Our Website is STRICTLY about Rashis databases and rules.
But I will be happy to publish your letter and my refusal and those
that understand will understand and write you
Russell Hendel;
Moderator Rashi is Simple
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-8-23d
DOWNLOAD UPDATES--WORD VERSION of the INDEX FILE
------------------------------------------------
As you know there is a free Rashi Download on the
website containing 235 text files and an index file
Lynn A Weinberg, wrote me that "I like the explicit
spreadsheet form of the index file but do not have
excel. I do however have WORD"
In response I wrote her "I never wrote a WORD VISUAL
BASIC macro in my life; but with the help of God I
just wrote the 20 line routine necessary to create
a WORD INDEX document. It should be put on the web
Sunday.
This means that you can open Word, browse the index
table AND CLICK TO SEE ANY RASHI TEXT FILES in a
separate window.
Yasher Coach Lynn. Anyone else out there who wants
things...just ask. I frequently do the impossible
after being asked. (In fact in amusement, my birth
was impossible. My mothers obstretician had decided
that normal delivery was not possible and was going
to recommend a Cesarian. But I was born in a huge
snow blizzard and he hadn't had a chance to tell
this to my mother or the hospital. His response
when my father told him I was born was "But the
X Rays clearly show that to be impossible")
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: v9-8-23e
WEB UPDATES
-----------
Visit http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
Its NEW and UPDATED..NU
We now feature BIWEEKLY updates,a FAVORITE section..
The software necessary for biweekly updates of the
web is complete. If you visit the Rashi website
you will find
---BYWEEKLY updates---Web updated each time a
digest is posted
---All CURRENT ISSUES are easily accessible in the
"whats hot and new" section on top
---All individual POSTINGS are being added to the
"by verse" and "by rule" pulldowns. I just added
about 150 records to these pulldowns.
---I have added a FAVORITE section in the "whats new
and hot" section. I usually will rely on web hits
But if you have a posting you really liked, write
me
---I currently have 3 EMAIL GROUPS
*Rashi is Simple (you are reading it)
*RashiYomi (Hosted on Chevruta)
*RashiYomiSummary
If you think one form is better than the other
let me know
---A WEBSITE MAP (Help screen)
---The complete RASHI IS SIMPLE RULES with HYPERLINKS
---A SUGGESTION box
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*