13 Methods for inferring meaning:#23 of 32
###########################################################
#       10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE             #
#                 June 22nd, 2001                         #
#          Rashis 809-810 Of 7800 (10.4%)                 #
#                                                         #
#           VISIT THE RASHI YOMI ARCHIVES                 #
#           -----------------------------                 #
#       http://www.RashiYomi.Com/calendar.htm             #
#                                                         #
#    Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple,      #
#  (c) 1999-Present, RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President  #
#Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit#
#                                                         #
#    WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS    #
#                                                         #
###########################################################


GOALS:
------
I decided its time for a longer unit.

This unit will focus on a major Rashi task--explaining
the MEANINGS OF WORDS.

Explaining the MEANINGS of WORDS is more than looking
something up in a dictionary. There are METHODS to
explaining WORDS.

Thus in this module we will explore HOW Rashi determines
the meanings of words -- that is, we will explore WHAT
RASHIS METHODS ARE



TODAYS UNIT
-----------
In the next few days we review examples where using modern
science helps us identify the precise nuances of what the
Chumash is speaking about.

REFERENCE:
----------
This module comes from the following reference  in the
Rashi-is-Simple series.

http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt18-10b.htm

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#

BACKGROUND
----------

 Dt18-10:11 prohibit 8 cultic practices involving hypnotically
 induced trances enabling a disassociative state where one
 can utter future events or similar events.

 In each case we will see how knowledge of modern science
 enables a precise delineation of what the word in question
 means.

 The half a dozen examples in Dt18-10:11 occur in Rambam
 Laws of Idolatry Chapter 11. This gives an exciting
 opportunity to see how these two titans of Jewish law,
 Rashi on Dt18-10:11 and Rambam Idolatry Chapter 11,
 treat the same subject.

 And indeed we will see that sometimes Rambam gives more
 detail, sometimes Rashi gives more detail, sometimes they
 say the same thing and sometimes they complement each other



EXAMPLE 61: Dt18-10c -- PROHIBITION OF MAGIC & ASTROLOGY
--------------------
   Rashi gives more detail than Rambam here.

   Both Rashi and Rambam mention the two possible
   derivations of the word ONAYN:
   * From AYN=EYE -- this would prohibit magic.
     cf The English SLEIGHT OF HAND.
     Performing magic is prohibited because you
     deceive the viewer into seeing things not there

   * FROM ONAH=TIME -- this would prohibit Astrology.
     That is, it would prohibit basing future actions
     on WHEN they were done (e.g. saying Friday the 13th is
     a bad day to perform certain actions).

   However Rashi identifies these two meanings as
   coming from two different authorities(Rabbi Akiva
   and the Sages) while Rambam simply lists the two
   prohibitions without stating the original controversy
   Thus Rashi presents more detail than Rambam.

   Note how modern science (or popular modern folklore)
   identifies MAGIC with VISUAL DECEPTION which helps us
   focus on the specific meaning of the verse. There are
   indeed many articles that discuss the prohibition of
   viewing Magic Shows.



EXAMPLE 62: Ex18-11a
--------------------
   Rambam gives more detail than Rashi here. Rashi simply
   cites the Sifrah that a CHOVER IS SOMEONE WHO BRINGS
   ANIMALS TO ONE PLACE.

   Rambam gives more detail. The focal point is not
   WHAT the person does but HOW he does it. The Rambam
   explains that a CHOVER is a person who utters VERBAL
   SPELLS on animals to e.g. stop them from hurting
   people

   The root CHOVER means to SEW/WEAVE. Hence CHOVER
   would be a WEAVER OF SPELLS.

   Note that unlike the other crimes which involve
   induction of some type of trance the CHOVER
   simply utters spells without going into a
   trance.

   The Rambam also gives deails on the permissability
   of saying things for a person bitten by an animal.

   Again modern science helps us by explaining the idea
   of subliminal communication -- hints sent to the
   non-conscious mind which can affect the receiver.

   In fact there are laws in this country against
   using subliminal communications. Thus
   we gain insight into this Biblical prohibition
   of casting spells -- it is a prohibition of
   composing spells of nonsense syllables that
   have subliminal messages inside them which
   would affect the listener. Thus the Torah and
   modern law agree.

#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2001, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#