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Surfing the Talmudic Seas
(C) RashiYomi Incorporated, 2001
Written by Dr Russell Jay Hendel
Volume 9 Number 2
Produced Feb 1, 2001
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
READER QUESTIONS
================
V9-2-1a
Anonymous question: Why does Rashi say
on the verse >I will send my hand and smite
Egypt< that >This refers to Gods actual smitingI AM GOD<. This phrase is used
in commandments that prohibit strong physical urges
Rashis covered in this issue
----------------------------
VERSE RULE BRIEF DESCRIPTION
======== =============== ===================================
Ex06-29a DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv11-45a DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv18-02a DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv18-05c DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv18-30b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Lv19-25b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Ex06-02b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
Ex06-06b DOUBLE PARSHAS 25 Mtzvth use the phrase >I AM GOD<
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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 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: Ex06-29a
RASHIS COVERED: Ex06-02b Ex06-06b Ex06-29a Lv11-45a
Lv18-02a Lv18-05c Lv18-30b Lv19-25b
RULE
====
There are about 2 dozen commandments which have the language
>Do or Do not do such and such I AM GOD<. Why are these
2 dozen commandments singled out?
The explanation we started last time suggests that the phrase
>I AM GOD< occurs in commandments where there is a temptation
to violate them either because
---the commandment involves respect for LOWER SOCIAL CLASSES
(Hence there is no social force making us do these
commandments. Hence God must emphasize He is watching over
them)
---the commandment involves PROHIBITIONS on very strong
physical urges, such as the prohibitions on food, relations,
and territoriality. Hence God must emphasize that He
can give us far greater reward then the physical pleasures
we wish to indulge in
---The verse is dealing with general requirements of
watching commandments or aspirations to holiness.
Again the emphasis is that God has the power to reward
and punish.
The examples will illustrate this.
COMMENT:
=======
We have here the following situation:
---there are many Rashis on the same phrase (I AM GOD)
---Rashi makes a variety of statements on these phrases
---Sometimes Rashi will say 2 or 3 words (I GOD CAN REWARD)
---While sometimes Rashi will give a 2-3 line exposition
Our general approach thoughout this email list is that
the entire group of Rashi statements should be applied
to each occurence of the phrase.
Thus taken together Rashi makes the following statements
on the phrase >I AM GOD<
---I God can give REWARD
---I God can give PUNISHMENT
---I have the POWER to override other forces (like social
forces or physical urges)
-----------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses the phrase >I am God< occurs
in connection with the Exodus from Egypt. The emphasis
seems to be that
--I have the power to >PUNISH< the Egyptians
--I have the power to >REWARD< the Jews
--I have the power to >HELP LOWER CLASSES(Jewish Slaves)<
-----------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT OF VERSE
======== ====================================================
Ex06-02b God tells Moses He is God & will redeem the Jews
Ex06-06b Moses should tell Jews that GOD IS GOD & will redeem
Ex06-29a God tells Moses He is God & will redeem the Jews
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In the following verses the phrase >I am God< occurs
in connection with prohibitions on strong physical urges such as
---abstention from certain foods-laws of Kashruth
---abstention from certain women-laws of prohibited relations
---abstention from territorial possesion--laws of 4th year*1
Since the temptation for these prohibitions is particularly
great therefore it says >I AM GOD< to emphasize that God can
punish those who violate, and reward those who follow
-----------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE TEXT WHICH says >I AM GOD<
======== =====================================================
Lv11-45a End of the Chapter on forbidden foods--Kashruth
Lv18-02a Intro to the chapter of forbidden female relations*2
Lv18-05c Intro to the chapter of forbidden female relations*2
Lv18-30b End of the chapter of forbidden female relations *2
Lv19-25b Prohibition of eating fruit first 3 years of growth*1
NOTES
=====
*1 The law of the 4th year prohibits Jews eating the fruits of
newly planted trees the first three years; on the 4th year
the fruits have a holy status. It is only in the fifth year
that one can eat them. Hence like the Kashruth and Forbidden
relation laws the 4th year laws require abstentions from
basic physical urges(in this case the urge to possess land)
Hence Rashi says on this 4th-year-verse--->I am God who has
the power to give you a good yield even if you abstain from
newly planted trees< Again the emphasis is that God has
the power to reward and punish.
*2 The Rashis on these verses emphasizes Gods capacity for
reward and punishment the point being that because
physical desires are so strong God must make a strong
statement to prohibit them.
Particularly note the strong language of Rashi on Lv18-30b
at the end of the chapter: >If you dont observe the
prohibitions of forbidden relations then I will not be your
God<
Our position throughout this email group is that when several
distinct Rashis occur on similar verses (eg >I am God<) then
Rashis intention is that all the Rashis simultaneously apply
to each verse.
In summary, >I AM GOD< occurs in the chapter on forbidden
relations to emphasize that despite our temptation to
indulge we >must< follow these prohibitions since God
can cause us greater pain and/or greater reward.
RASHI RULE USED: DOUBLE PARSHAS
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VERSE: v9-2-01a
FROM: A young Teenager at Shalla Shuddos at Shomrey Emunah
RE: Ex07-05a
DATE: Jan 26 2001
Why does Rashi on Ex07-05a >And I(God) will send forth
my hand and smite Egypt< have the comment >RASHI: My
actual hand<.
WE WILL ANSWER THIS NEXT WEEK
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THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
=======================================
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
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