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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
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Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 8 Number 3
Produced Nov 8, 2000
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QUESTIONS FROM READERS
======================
Gn19-12 should be translated >And the Angels said to Lot:
'AGAIN: Who do you have here....take them out
because we are destroying the city'<
The word >AGAIN< implies simply that they were
debating all night.
This interpretation comes from Ruth Shane in my
Shomrey Emunah Rashi class which simplifies my
previous attempts at interpreting this verse
I found support for this style in a very obscure
RADACK under the root AF. RADACK points out that
the BIble can have a style of >starting in the
middle of a conversation< For example Gn01-03
>And the snake said SO WHAT if God said dont
eat<(But the Bible records no prior conversation)
Similarly Gn19-12 could read >Again: Who do you
have here< even though the Bible does not record
previous dialogues.
Gn06-22 Several people from Shomrey Emunah wanted to know
>Why does it state FOUR times that Noach came into
the ark<
Using our new >PARAGRAPH METHODS< we can provide
a simple straightforward answer
WEEKLY PARSHAH SERIES
=====================
Gn06-22 Explanation of why it says FOUR times that
noach came to ark
Gn17-17 Examination of the Biblical phrase
>FALL ON FACE< and what it means
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== ============== ================================
Gn06-22a OVERALL STRCTR Repeated phrases can indicate paragraphs
Gn07-05a OVERALL STRCTR Repeated phrases can indicate paragraphs
Gn07-07a OVERALL STRCTR Repeated phrases can indicate paragraphs
Gn07-13a OVERALL STRCTR Repeated phrases can indicate paragraphs
Gn07-16a OVERALL STRCTR Repeated phrases can indicate paragraphs
Gn17-17a NEW MEANINGS >FALL ON FACE< means depression, respect
Gn17-03a NEW MEANINGS >FALL ON FACE< means depression, respect
Nu16-04a NEW MEANINGS >FALL ON FACE< means depression, respect
Nu24-04a NEW MEANINGS >FALL ON FACE< means depression, respect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (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
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JOURNAL REFERENCE: Pshat & Drash,TRADITION, Win 1980,R Hendel
NOTATION: eg Gn01-02a refers Genesis, Chapter 1, Verse 2,Rashi a
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,
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WEB: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm
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VERSE: Gn06-22a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn06-22a Gn07-05a Gn07-07a Gn07-13a Gn07-16a
RULE:
=====
In English we indicate a paragraph by a blank line or by
white space. In the Bible various methods are used to indicate
a paragraph. One such method is a >REPEATING THEME OR WORD<.
This >REPEATING THEME OR WORD< acts as a demarker; each resulting
paragraph is then seen as adding some new nuance.
EXAMPLE:
=======
In Noach the verse >And Noach did what God commanded him (to come
to the ark)< is repeated 4 times. Each repetition denotes an
added nuance. Here are the details
PARAGRAPH 1
===========
PARAGRAPH 1: Gn06-13:22-Noach did as God commanded >TO BUILD ARK<
Here is the text
>I(God) am bringing a flood to destroy the people who sin. BUILD
AN ARK...HERE IS HOW YOU BUILD IT...AND YOU WILL COME TO THE ARK
...and take food ...and noach did as God commanded <
Clearly this paragraph is talking about >BUILDING THE ARK<
PARAGRAPH 2
===========
PARAGRAPH 2: Gn07-01:05-Noach did as God commande>TO COME TO ARK<
Here is the text
>And God said COME TO THE ARK..take 7 Kosher animals & also birds
because I am bringing a flood ..and Noach did as God commanded<
Clearly this paragraph is talking about >COMING TO THE ARK<
PARAGRAPH 3
===========
PARAGRAPH 3: Gn07-06:09-Noach came to ark > MEN & WOMEN SEPARATE<
Here is the text
>And Noach was 600 and the flood was on the earth..and Noach and
his sons came...his wife and their wives with them--to the ark..
(but) then animals came in pairs to the ark--male and female--
as God commanded.
Clearly this paragraph is contrasting that while the animals
came male-female together, Noach and his family came in men
separate and women separate.
A Further support for this idea is usually given by contrasting
Gn07-07,Gn08-16,Gn07-13 & Gn08-18 each of which lists Noachs
family
----------------------------------------------------------------
Gn07-07 He CAME to ark:NOACH HIS SONS HIS WIFE THEIR WIVES
Gn07-13 He CAME to ark:NOACH HIS SONS HIS WIFE THEIR WIVES
Gn08-18 He LEFT theark:NOACH HIS SONS HIS WIFE THEIR WIVES
Gn08-16 LEAVE the ark:NOACH HIS WIFE HIS SONS THEIR WIVES
*1 *2 *3
----------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES:
As can be seen the COMING and LEAVING the ark (*1) were done
with the men separate (*2--Noach and his sons) and the women
separate(*3). However the COMMAND TO LEAVE THE ARK shows
Noach and his wife together and his sons and their wives together
The main arguement for the fact that Noach and his wives came
into the ark comes from the paragraph structure shown above.
Indeed, a famous Midrash points out that change of order does NOT
justify >being midrashic<.
See http://www.RashiYomi.Com/nu27-01b.htm for many examples. Thus
we conclude that it is the repeated paragraph structure that
proves the separation of sexes. The comparison of Gn07-07,Gn08-16
Gn07-13 & Gn08-18 is merely suportive.
PARAGRAPH 4
===========
PARAGRAPH 4: Gn07-10:16 As God commanded >Came in BROAD DAYLIGHT<
Here is the text
>And after 7 days there was a flood on the 17th of the 2nd month
in the 600th year on that day there was a flood and there was
rain 40 days IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT DAY NOACH CAME TO THE ARK
they and all the animals..they came to Noach to the ark, 2 of
every type AS GOD COMMANDED and God CLOSED FOR THEM<
Clearly this paragraph emphasizes that Noach came into the ark
in BROAD DAYLIGHT in the presence of everyone. We have shown
elsewhere that the Biblical phrase >IN BROAD DAYLIGHT< denotes
doing something openly in the face of opposition. See
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt27-09b.htm. We in fact show 5
verses where this phrase occurs and which all mean doing
something openly
{LIST}
5 verses where the phrase >BROAD DAYLIGHT< is used. In each
case this means that the act was done openly because others
wanted to stop it.
===========================================================
VERSE ACT DONE OPENLY WHO WANTED TO STOP IT
======= ================= ================================
Gn07-13 Noach came to ark Others wanted ark for themselves
Ex12-51 Jews left Egypt Egyptians tried to stop them
Dt32-48 Moses death People didnt want Moses to go
Lv23-11 Celebrate holidays Borders vulnerable(people in Jeruslem
Gn17-23 Abraham circumcise Made him vulnerable
Now that we know that this paragraphs theme is that Noach came
in broad daylight we can use this theme to explain difficult
verses. For example the paragraph ends >AND GOD CLOSED ON NOACH<
As Rashi wittily points out: By itself the phrase would mean
that the ark >CLOSED IN< on Noach and prevented the water
from getting to him. HOWEVER BECAUSE OF THE CONTEXT, THAT
THE PARAGRAPH SPEAKS ABOUT BROAD DAYLIGHT, we are justified
in interpreting the phrase >AND GOD SURROUNDED HIM< to mean
that God surrounded Noach with lions and bears who protected
Noach as he went into the ark(Rashi)
In other words Rashi uses the RABBI ISHMAEL rule of CONTEXT--
phrases must be interpreted according to their context and
paragraph in which they occur.
This example is fundamental for understanding the difference
between SIMPLE and MIDRASHIC meaning---something MIDRASHIC
can be reclassified as SIMPLE if the CONTEXT justifies this
RULE USED: OVERALL STRUCTURE
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
VERSE: Gn17-17a
RASHIS COVERED: Gn17-17a Gn17-03a Nu16-04a Nu24-04a
RULE
====
RULE 1a: The expression >FALL ON HIS FACE< occurs several times
in the Bible, particularly, but not exclusively after,a prophetic
revelation. In general >FALL ON HIS FACE< denotes either
--depression or
--expression of gratitude to someone of higher rank
RULE 1b: Prophetic revelations are frequently accompanied by
expressions of >AWE BEFORE GOD<. >FALLING ON ONES FACE< occurs
by prophecies involving
--threats of punishment
--dialogues between God and uncircumcised people
COMMENT
=======
COMMENT: This is one of those Rashis where one has to >fill in
the missing details<. Rashi simply says >Abraham fell on his face
>BEFORE< he was circumcised but spoke to God without falling on
his face >AFTER< he was circumcised. The prophetic experience is
very frightening and without circumcision one does not have the
power to endure it.<
However a simple examination of verses shows that this theory
of Rashi is only partially correct. It needs modification
--many people who were circumcised did fall on their face
--Abraham did not always fall on his face before circumcision
Thus we have to >DEVELOP< the terse rule that Rashi gives.
After examining the cases we find that
--if their is no dialogue there is usually no >FALLING ON FACE<
--if their is dialogue then uncircumcised prophets >FALL ON FACE<
--Finally there is >FALLING ON FACE< when punishment is stated
Let us now examine the examples
EXAMPLES
========
---------------------------------------------------------------
Verses where >FALLING ON FACE< is a sign of >DEPRESSION<
---------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT OF VERSE SHOWING DEPRESSOIN
========== ====================================================
Jos7-05:06 Their hearts melted--Joshua >fell on his face<
Gn04-06 Kayin >Fell on his face< (because of Gods rejection)
Nu20-06 Moses&Aaron >fell on their face< because of the plague
---------------------------------------------------------------
Verses where >FALLING ON FACE< is a sign of >GRATITUDE
or UNWORTHINESS to someone of Higher Rank<
---------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE WHO BOWED TO WHOM STATEMENT OF GRATITUDE/UNWORTHINESS
========= ========= ======= ===================================
2Sam9-6 MFiboseth David I am unworthy
2Sam14-22 Joab David David granted Joab unexpected favor
1King18-7 Ovadya Elijah Ovadia Didnt expect to find Elijah
We conclude that >FALL ON FACE< indicates either >DEPRESSION<
or >GRATITUDE/UNWORTHINESS< to someone of higher rank We now turn
to >FALL ON FACE< in the context of prophecy.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Verses involving >NO DIALOGUE< bewteen God and Prophet
There is >NO< >FALLING ON FACE< even though
--the prophet is uncircumcised and
--a lavish gift is bestowed on them
---------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE WHAT WAS REVEALED
======= ===================================================
Gn12-07 Abraham would be Given Israel*1
Gn45-02 God told Jacob not to be afraid *2
Gn26-02 God tells Isaac not to be afraid
Gn26-24 God tells Isaac not to be afraid from his harassers
NOTES:
======
*1 Note how Abraham >BUILT AN ALTER< to express homage
but he did not fall on his face
*2 Note the Midrash on the next verse >And the children
of Jacob(Israel) >CARRIED< their father<. The Midrash
says that Jacob needed a (psychological) >LIFT<
because he was depressed about the Egyptian exile.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Prophecies involving >DIALOGUE< between God and Prophet
IF the person is circumcised THEN there is>NO FALLING ON FACE<
IF the person is uncircumcised there is >FALLING ON FACE<*1
---------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE WHAT WAS PROPHECISED FALL ON FACE? CIRCUMCISED?
======== ==================== ============= ============
Gn17-03a*5 Convenant Yes No
Gn17-17a Many descendants Yes No
Nu20-04a*5 Balams prophecy Yes*2 No
Gn18-01 Destroy Sedom/Gmarh No Yes
Jud06-12:13 God-Gidon dialogue*3 No Yes
Jud13-03 Promise birth son No*4 Yes
NOTES
=====
*1 Compare Ex03-06 where Moses >Covers his face< as an
expression of awe during the prophetic experience.
So the issue is not expressing awe but rather
whether that awe is expressed as >FALLING ON ONES
FACE<
*2 Rashi in effect cross references 2Ch7-12 >And God
appeared to Solomon at night (while he was asleep)<
So Rashi suggests the cute pun that >FALL ON FACE<
refers to >RECEIVING PROPHECY WHILE SLEEPING<.
Despite the charm of this interpretation it is
inconsistent with the lists we presented. Indeed,
according to Nu12-06, all non-mosaic prophecies
happen in >dreams< (ie while sleeping).
Hence, if >ALL< prophecies occur while sleeping
we would have to explain why certain verses
refer to >FALL ON FACE< while others don't. We
would then notice that >FALL ON FACE< only occurs
either in traumas or in prophetic dialogues where
the prophet is uncircumcised. This is Rashis 2nd
explanation--and we have just showed why this
2nd explanation is preferred.
*3 Note how Gidon did not appear overawed by the prophecy. Rather
he answers the angel >If God is with us then where are all
his miracles<. We conclude that circumcised people can
more easily endure a God-prophet dialogue.
*4 Note how at one point Manoach says >We will die because we
saw God<. Thus there is awe of prophecy. But this awe does
not lead to >FAlling on ones face< if one is circumcised.
*5 The Rashis on these verses present the theory that >falling
on ones face< (during God-prophetic dialogues) only occurs
among non-circumcised people.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Prophecies involving >DIALOGUE< between God and Prophet
where there is a >FALLING IN FACE< even though
--prophet is circumcised.
In these prophecies a >TRAUMATIC EVENT IS MENTIONED<
---------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE WHAT TRAUMATIC EVENT IS MENTIONED
======== ===============================================
Nu16-19 God says he will destroy Korach congregation
Nu16-04a Korach rebellion*1
Nu20-06 Merivah Water rebellion
Lv09-24 And a fire came down and consumed the sacrifice*2
NOTES
=====
*1 Rashi explains that this was the 4th incident of rebellion
of the Jews and he no longer had excuses to defend them
The other 3 cases are as follows
REBELLION MOSES EXCUSE/DEFENSE FOR THE JEWS
=============== =================================
The Golden calf Their leader was absent
Food complaint They were hungry
Spy rebellion They were afraid of war
But at the Korach rebellion they had leadership, food and
there was no war. Hence Moses was afraid and >Fell on face<
*2 Of course there is no Trauma here. I would simply suggest
that >a fire consuming the sacrifice meat< symbolizes
God(the Spiritual) taking over mans physical life (Symbolized
by fire eating meat).
Hence the fire coming down and eating the meat was in effect
redeeming their uncircumcised nature (and since in effect
they were uncircumcised they >fell on their face<)
A full appreciation of this defense requires justifying
the symbolic analysis of sacrifices. For a defense of
Rav Hirsch's symbolism see the paper on Genesis-1 at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/gen-1.htm
COMMENT: Gn17-17a
======== ========
COMMENT: Rashi cites the Aramaic translation which compares
2 verse where prophets >laughed at a prophecy<.
-Gn17-17 Abraham >LAUGHED< that a 100 year old would give birth
-Gn18-12 Sarah >LAUGHED< that she would give birth
The Targum translated the two verses differently
-Gn17-17 Abraham was >HAPPY(ie laughed)< he would give birth
-Gn18-12 Sarah was >SKEPTICAL(ie laughed)< she would give birth
We can now explain why the Targum did this. First as we just
showed >FALLING ON ONES FACE< is an expression of>SUBMISSION,AWE<
Hence Gn17-17 which says >And Abraham fell on his face and
laughed< could not be speaking about >LAUGHING=MOCKING< since
this would be inconsistent with >FALLING ONE ONES FACE< which
denotes >AWE SUBMISSION<. Therefore the Targum interpreted this
use of >LAUGHING< to mean >BEING HAPPY<.
By contrast there is no >FALLING ONE ONES FACE< mentioned in
Gn18-12. Hence it could mean >Sarah was happy(laughed)< or
>Sarah was skeptical(laughed)<. To decide which interpretation
is best we compare the uses of >SPEAKING TO ONES HEART<.
An ancient Midrash points out two styles
-->speak >TO< ones heart< refers to GOOD acts
-->speak >IN< ones heart< refers to BAD acts
This usage is justified by the LIST below which comes from my
article >PESHAT AND DERASH: A NEW INTUITIVE APPROACH< Tradition
Winter 1980. Using it we see that we have to interpret
>And Sarah laughed IN herself< as meaning >Sarah was skeptical<.
Thus we have justified the Targums different interpretations
for the same word. Note, how this justification required 2 LISTS
--the LIST of verses with >FALL ON ONES FACE<
--the LIST of verses with >SPEAK TO/IN ONES HEART<
Only after examining these LISTS can we be sure of the simple
meaning of the verse.
{LIST}
Verses showing that 2 different styles are used
--speak >TO< ones heart is used by righteous acts*1
--speak >IN< ones heart is used by wicked acts*2
=================================================================
VERSE TEXT OF VERSE STYLE ACT IS?
======= ===================================== ======== =========
Gn08-21 God promising not to destroy world TO heart Righteous
Gn24-45 Eliezer when finding a wife for Isaac TO heart Righteous
Dt30-01 Repentance TO heart Righteous
1Sam27-1 David when fleeing from Saul TO heart Righteous
Gn27-41 Esuav thinking to kill Jacob IN heart Wicked
Dt07-17 Doubting God can help you conquer IN heart Wicked
2Sm6-16 And Mical despised David IN heart wicked
1K12-26 Yaravam afraid he'd lose his reign IN heart wicked*3
NOTES
=====
*1 eg and God said TO his heart > I will not destroy the world<
*2 eg and Esauv said IN his heart >I will kill my brother<
*3 Note the 3 way contrast
--Abraham >Fell on his face< denoting submission & awe
--He said IN his heart-can a 100 year old give birth?
denoting a bad thought
--he laughed--denoting that he rejected the bad thought
and was happy on Gods promise.
RULE USED: NEW MEANINGS
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rules.htm
=======================================
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/rules9-6.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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*