#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#
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  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) RashiYomi Inc., Dr Hendel President             |
  |       http://www.RashiYomi.Com                           |
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VERSE: Nu32-06a

RASHIS COVERED: Nu32-06a Nu13-34a Nu30-06a

===================== Nun-Aleph=DOUBTS ==========================


VERY BRIEF SUMMARY
------------------
This is a peach of a Rashi that is simply charming. Rashi deals
with the root N-A. (A) Rashi states that
  --------------------------------------
  The root N-A means to REMOVE and BREAK
  --------------------------------------
This is a good example of how NOT to read Rashi; You must first
read the BIblical text. The list of verses with the root N-A all
have a more precise nuance, not of REMOVING BELIEFS AND THOUGHTS
but of CREATING DOUBTS. (B) Rashi uses 2 methods to prove meaning
(C) Finally we find an unexpected unity of language & Jewish law

We have 2 Rashi rules today

---------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE:      WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:   INFERRING MEANING-ALIGNMENT
---------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------
TODAYS RASHI RULE:     WORD MEANINGS
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:  INFERRING MEANING-VERSE LISTS
----------------------------------------------------

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE and SUBRULE
-----------------------------------------
One of Rashis goals was to give the meaning of
words the same way a dictionary gives the meaning
of words. A fascinating sub-challenge was to infer
the meanings of words whose nuances are not well
known. Studies have shown that 50% of an adults
vocabulary comes from such inferences. Hence it
shouldnt surprise us that this is a major Rashi
method.

STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
The standard references below present 13 methods to
infer meaning. We use two of these methods today.

On the one hand we can infer meaning by ALIGNING
verses. For example one verse half uses the word
ANNUL while the other uses the word Nun-Vuv-Aleph.
Hence we infer that Nun-Vuv-Aleph has a meaning
LIKE ANNUL

On the other hand we can infer meaning by REVIEWING
VERSE LISTS with the root in question. This is a
powerful method as it allows us to infer focused
nuances of the word. By reviewing the list below
we infer that Nun-Vuv-Aleph means not so much to
ANNUL or DESTROY as it means TO CREATE DOUBTS IN
ONES MIND.

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/means-32.htm

This wonderful posting presents the
- the 6 major methods of inferring meaning
- as well as the 13 particular methods
Many examples are given.

If you wish to read the whole means series
you can navigate to the old Rashi calendar at
http://www.RashiYomi.com/calendar1.htm

The MEANS series occured in JUNE 2001.

HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LIST below for school projects.
Here is how, if you are a teacher then you
can ask students to look up verses with similar
roots or usages of a word. You can ask the student
to perform the exercises mentioned above--
- align different verse halves to infer meaning
- compare usages in verse lists to infer nuances

The students solution can then be compared with Rashis.
This leads to greater appreciation of Rashi.

TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Here is a list of verses with N-A. An examination of these
verses shows that N-A does not just mean to ANNUL but
more precisely means TO HAVE DOUBTS*10
=================================================================
VERSE    TRANSLATION OF VERSE WITH n-a=DOUBT vs CANCEL/ANNUL
======== ========================================================
Nu32-06a Why make people DOUBT we can conquer Israel
Ps141-05 My being king shouldnt lead me to DOUBTS about rebuke
Job33-10 God seeks to DOUBT my righteousness(cf Job01-06:12)
Nu13-34a Jews punished for creating DOUBTS in Gods love of them
Nu30-06a If her father BREAKS or creates DOUBTS about her oath*1

NOTES
-----
*1 Rashi ingeniously derives the meaning of the root Nun-aleph
   using two methods.

   FIRST: He uses the methods of LISTS OF COMPARABLE VERSES
   The above list shows that N-A means to create doubts

   SECOND: Rashi uses a comparative ALIGNMENT method.
   Indeed, Nu30 discusses 3 cases of VOW ANNULMENT
   (a) FATHER-DAUGHTER (b) HUSBAND-WIFE (c)HUSBAND-DIVORCEE
   But the Bible
   - in one verse uses the word N-A (DOUBT)
   - in another verse uses the word Y-F-R(BREAK)
   - in a 3rd verse uses both words N-A and Y-F-R

   Hence the alignment justifies the idea that N-A means
   to create doubt.

   Here is that list from Nu30
  --------------------------------------------------------------
  VERSE   RELATIONSHIP    WORDS USED: N-A(DOUBT) or Y-F-R(break)
  ------- --------------- --------------------------------------
  Nu30-06 Father-daughter If her father ANNULS(N-A) the oath
  Nu30-09 Husband-Wife    If her husband ANNULS/BREAKS the oath
  Nu30-13 Husband-divorce If her husband BREAKS the oath
  ---------------------------------------------------------------

  The astute reader will ask: But in this context N-A means
  TO DESTROY the vow--not to create DOUBTS.

  The answer is that under Jewish law you DESTROY a vow
  by creating DOUBTS!! If a person comes to a Rabbi with a vow
  the Rabbi explores unforseen circumstances till he creates
  a DOUBT in the mind of the VOWER---only then can the Rabbi
  annul it.

  Thus we have a beautiful unity of LANGUAGE and LAW

----------------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES -----------------

*10 The Hebrew word NA which means PLEASE also illustrates this.
    You use the word PLEASE when someone doesnt want to do
    something and you wish to CREATE DOUBTS in his denial

    It would be incorrect to translate N-A=PLEASE as ANNUL.
    If you had the power to ANNUL someones decrees you wouldnt
    be saying PLEASE!

    Thus this word confirms that NUN-VUV-ALEPH means
    TO CREATE DOUBT

=================================================================

RASHI RULE USED: SYNONYMS
---------------------------------------------------
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 14 Number 15


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