Proofs may be from OTHER VERSES:#15 of 20
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Dec 5, 2000 #
# Rashis 439-440 Of 7800 (5.7%) #
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OVERVIEW:
========
In this module we explore Rashis that derive their
lesson from OTHER VERSES.
There are three basic techniques of Rashi in these
verses.
CROSS REFERENCES THAT CONFIRM
=============================
One basic technique of Rashi in these verses is to
>CONFIRM BIBLICAL CROSS REFERENCE<. Thus the Bible
might say >I GOD PROMISE YOU SUCH AND SUCH AS I
HAVE SAID< and Rashi will then indicate where God
has said this.
CROSS REFERENCES THAT CLARIFY
=============================
A Second basic technique of Rashi in these verses is to
>CLARIFY MEANING IN ONE VERSE BY AN OTHER VERSE<.
CROSS REFERENCES THAT DEFINE
============================
A third technique is where the Bible explicitly says
>DO PROCEDURE X THE SAME WAY I TOLD YOU TO DO PROCEDURE Y<
REFERENCES
==========
Material in this module comes from
http://www.rashiyomi.com/ov.htm
TODAYS UNIT
===========
In todays unit we review Rashis that chose one of 2
admissable explanations to a verse. Rashis justification
for selecting one commentary is due to an OTHER VERSE.
In todays examples this OTHER VERSE is the next verse right
after the one being studied.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
EXAMPLE 41,42: Ex28-33c Ex28-34a
=============
BACKGROUND
----------
Ex28-31 discusses the construction of the priestly robe.
Recall that this was a sky-blue robe which was decorated
by golden bells and pomegranates on its hem.
THE AMBIGUITY
-------------
As we will see, there are two ways to interpret the verses.
----------------------------------------------------------------
METHOD 1--The hem had >alternating< BELLS and POMEGRANATES
METHOD 2--The hem only had POMEGRANATES with BELLS >inside< them
----------------------------------------------------------------
THE VERSE
----------
Ex28-33c >And you will make on its hem sky-blue-wool pomegranates
on the hem round about it and golden bells
IN THEM/AMIDST THEM round about it<
THE PROBLEM
-----------
The Hebrew word >Tauv-Vuv-Koph< could equally mean >INSIDE THEM<
or could mean >AMIDST THEM<. If it is translated >AMIDST THEM<
then the hem has >ALTERNATING< bells and pomegranates since
the bells are >AMIDST< the pomegranates. On the other hand
if it is translated >INSIDE THEM< then the hem has >ONLY
POMEGRANATES< with bells inside them.
Thus the selection of a construction method for the priestly
robe depends on the meaning of the word >Tauv-Vuv-Koph<.
This can also be formulated as whether the word >Tauv-Vuv-Koph<
refers to a TWO-DIMENSIONAL MIDDLE (i.e. inside) or a ONE-
DIMENSIONAL MIDDLE (i.e. in the MIDST).
There are verses supporting both meanings. Here is a LIST
{LIST}
Verses where >Tauv-Vuv-Koph< could mean ONE vs TWO DIMENSIONAL
==============================================================
Verse TEXT 1vs2 MEANING
======= ================================== ==== =======
Nu35-05 4 borders & the city in the middle 2 INSIDE
Ex14-16 Egypt drowned IN THE SEA's middle 2 INSIDE
Ez41-07 Goto the top row by the middle row 1 MIDDLE
Ju07-19 The MIDDLE watch of the night 1 MIDDLE
Lv11-33 The INSIDE of the jar is unclean 3 MIDDLE
{END OF LIST}
THE SOLUTION
------------
But Rashi is Simple! The very next verse describes a ONE
DIMENSIONAL SITUATION:
Ex28-34 >A golden bell and Pomegranate, A golden bell and
Pomegranate on the hem of garment around it<
If the bells were INSIDE the pomegranates it would either
say >A Golden bell INSIDE its pomegranate, a golden bell
inside its pomegranate< or >A Pomegranate WITH its bell,
A Pomegranate WITH its bell<.
By placing the BELLS first and by the using the conjunction
of >AND< the Bible emphasizes clearly that the
bells and pomegranates alternated (>A Bell and its pomegranate
a bell and its pomegranate<).
The above argument focuses
--on the order (BELL-POMEGRANATE)
--the conjunction used (>AND< vs >WITH< or >INSIDE<)
>AND< denotes equality
A second argument to defend the fact that bells and pomegranates
alternated (vs were inside one another) would use the fact that
the Bible frequently uses repeated keywords to emphasize
paragraph and table structure Let us rewrite Ex28-33 using
modern notation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* Sky-blue-wool & purple...pomegranates-----SURROUNDING THE HEM
* and golden bells IN THEIR MIDST/INSIDE----SURROUNDING
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The repeated phrase >SURROUNDING< clearly creates a
bullet like effect making the stanzas of the verse equal. In
other words BOTH the pomegranates and the bells SURROUNDED
the hem--neither was subordinate to the other.
This is further confirmed by Ex28-34
which again repeats this phrase
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* Sky-blue-wool & purple.. pomegranate------SURROUNDING THE HEM
* and golden bells IN THEIR MIDST/INSIDE----SURROUNDING
* A Bell and Pomegranate a bell & .. ----SURROUNDING THE HEM
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thus the verses show that
--the pomegranates SURROUNDED THE HEM
--the bells SURROUNDED THE HEM
--the alternating bells and pomegranates SURROUNDED THE HEM
Simple, punchy, grammatical and clear: That is the way all
Rashis should be taught.
COMMENT--THE RASHI-RAMBAN CONTROVERSY
======================================
We take note that the above defense of Rashi is a simultaneous
refutation of the Ramban. I usually try and defend the
Ramban or show that he is consistent with Rashi. But in this
verse where the Ramban claims that the bells were inside the
pomegranates we have no choice but to reject the Ramban.
Notice that in rejecting the Ramban we are treating him with
respect as a Rishon since we are assuming he was unaware of
the Rashi Rule that REPEATING KEYWORDS indicate BULLETS.
Those who are seriously interested in Commentary on the
Bible should study the above since it shows a respectful
way to settle controversies between Rishonim.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*