The 10 RashiYomi Rules 
Their presence in Rashis on Parshat Chukas 
Vol  1#19 - Adapted from Rashi-is-Simple 
Visit The RashiYomi Website: http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
(c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr Hendel President, Jul-07-2005 
English and Hebrew translations of the Bible come mostly from the www.MECHON-MAMRE.org  translation with changes made by me

The goal of this Weekly Rashi Digest is to use the weekly Torah portion to expose students at all levels to the ten major methods of commentary used by Rashi. It is hoped that continual weekly exposure to these ten major methods will enable students of all levels to acquire a familiarity and facility with the major exegetical methods.

1. RASHI METHOD: OTHER VERSES   
This example applies to Rashis Nu21-01b
URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu21-01b.htm

The other verse method seeks to confirm the contents of a target verse by cross referencing other verses which either confirm the target text or add details to it. Additionally the other verse method can shed light on word meaning. 

Verse Nu21-01 states   And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.   וַיִּשְׁמַע הַכְּנַעֲנִי מֶלֶךְ-עֲרָד, יֹשֵׁב הַנֶּגֶב, כִּי בָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל, דֶּרֶךְ הָאֲתָרִים; וַיִּלָּחֶם, בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, וַיִּשְׁבְּ מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁבִי.  This verse refers to the Arad nation in the South. The reference to the Arad nation is clarified by an other verse. Verse Nu13-29 states   Amalek dwelleth in the land of the South; and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite, dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanite dwelleth by the sea, and along by the side of the Jordan.'   עֲמָלֵק יוֹשֵׁב, בְּאֶרֶץ הַנֶּגֶב; וְהַחִתִּי וְהַיְבוּסִי וְהָאֱמֹרִי, יוֹשֵׁב בָּהָר, וְהַכְּנַעֲנִי יוֹשֵׁב עַל-הַיָּם, וְעַל יַד הַיַּרְדֵּן.  From this other verse we conclude that the Arad nation lived in the same region, the south region, as the Amalekite nation. Rashi comments Arad is Amalek. Amalek started speaking like the Canaanites so as to fool Israel into praying for delivery from the Canaanites...

We can generalize Rashi's approach as follows: Arad lived in the same region as Amalek. They made an alliance--each nation used different military tactics. This alliance made it difficult for Israel to plan and pray for victory since they did not know whether they were fighting an Amalykite or Canaanite war. 

In other words, we need not identify Arad with Amalyk It is sufficient to simply believe that an alliance was made whose goal was to fool the Jews--fool them whether in prayer or planning. Rashi makes further comments on this alliance and Israel's preparation---the key idea behind Rashi is the other verse which associates Arad and Amalayk . 

2. RASHI METHOD: WORD MEANINGS / new meanings 
This example applies to Rashis Nu21-06a 
URL reference:(c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ nu21-06a.htm 

The word meaning method seeks to present dictionary meaning. Rashi uses 10 vehicles to infer word meaning. A major word meaning submethod is the 8 methods of naming  method. Items can be named by a) function , e.g. United Nations, b) by form, e.g., The Pentagon, c) by appearance, e.g. the orange dress, d) by distinguishing property, e.g. overcoat. 

The phrase burning snakes occurs in verse Nu21-06 which states   And the LORD sent burning snakes among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.   וַיְשַׁלַּח יְהוָה בָּעָם, אֵת הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְּׂרָפִים, וַיְנַשְּׁכוּ, אֶת-הָעָם; וַיָּמָת עַם-רָב, מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל.  Rashi identifies a burning snake with a biting snake. Here, Rashi identifies word meaning with how the item feels. Other examples of word meaning by feeling occur in several languages. For example in English we have the words hardship, inflammation. Word meaning can also occur by appearance as well as by feeling For example, sparkling, or orange soda (It has the color orange but does not necessarily use oranges as an ingredient.) 

3. RASHI METHOD: GRAMMAR / conjugation
This example applies to Rashis  Nu19-07b 
URL reference:(c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ gn41-57a.htm 

The grammar method seeks to apply and teach Hebrew grammar.  One component of grammar studies the optimal way or arranging words in a sentence; that is, identifying which word order communicates clearest.. 

The following verses all illustrate the principle of rearrangement 
•	Verse Nu19-07 states   Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he may come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.   וְכִבֶּס בְּגָדָיו הַכֹּהֵן, וְרָחַץ בְּשָׂרוֹ בַּמַּיִם, וְאַחַר, יָבֹא אֶל-הַמַּחֲנֶה; וְטָמֵא הַכֹּהֵן, עַד-הָעָרֶב.  The following rearranged verse sounds better. Then  the priest shall be unclean until the even, and the priest shall wash his clothes, , and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he may come into the camp
•	Verse Ex02-05 states   And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe on the river; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it.   וַתֵּרֶד בַּת-פַּרְעֹה לִרְחֹץ עַל-הַיְאֹר, וְנַעֲרֹתֶיהָ הֹלְכֹת עַל-יַד הַיְאֹר; וַתֵּרֶא אֶת-הַתֵּבָה בְּתוֹךְ הַסּוּף, וַתִּשְׁלַח אֶת-אֲמָתָהּ וַתִּקָּחֶהָ.  The following rearranged verse sounds better. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down on the river to bathe; and her maidens walked along by the river-side; and she saw the ark among the flags, and sent her handmaid to fetch it.
•	Verse Gn41-57 states   And all countries came into Egypt to buy corn to Joseph ; because the famine was sore in all the earth.   וְכָל-הָאָרֶץ בָּאוּ מִצְרַיְמָה, לִשְׁבֹּר אֶל-יוֹסֵף:  כִּי-חָזַק הָרָעָב, בְּכָל-הָאָרֶץ.  The following rearranged verse sounds better. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn  ; because the famine was sore in all the earth

4. RASHI METHOD: ALIGNMENT
This example applies to Rashis  Nu20-17b 
URL reference:(c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ nu20-17b .htm

The alignment method seeks to extract nuances from the minor differences in the alignment of two almost identical verses. The contrast of the two almost identical verses points either to a) two cases, b) several nuances, or c) an equality of the verses which leads to an understanding in meaning.

The following two aligned verses present two approaches to nations achieving goals: 
•	by prayer 
•	by force 

The two verses discuss the approach of the Jews vs. Edom:
•	Verse Nu20-16 states   and when we cried unto the LORD, He heard our voice, and sent an angel, and brought us forth out of Egypt; and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border.   וַנִּצְעַק אֶל-יְהוָה, וַיִּשְׁמַע קֹלֵנוּ, וַיִּשְׁלַח מַלְאָךְ, וַיֹּצִאֵנוּ מִמִּצְרָיִם; וְהִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ בְקָדֵשׁ, עִיר קְצֵה גְבוּלֶךָ.  
•	Verse Nu20-18 states   And Edom said unto him: 'Thou shalt not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against thee.'   וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֱדוֹם, לֹא תַעֲבֹר בִּי--פֶּן-בַּחֶרֶב, אֵצֵא לִקְרָאתֶךָ.  

5. RASHI METHOD: CONTRADICTION
This example applies to Rashis  Nu21-22a 
URL reference:(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ nu21-22a .htm

The contradiction method seeks to derive Biblical content by assuming a resolution to contradictory verses. Rashi had 3 main methods to resolve contradiction: The two contradictory verses could be speaking about a) two stages of one process, b) two aspects or attributes of one entity, or c) the contradictory verses could be resolved assuming a broad or literal interpretation of the words causing the contradiction.

In the following verse God promises Moses conquest of the foreign land of Sichon. Verse Dt02-24:25 states   Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of Arnon; behold, I have given into thy hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven, who, when they hear the report of thee, shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.'   קוּמוּ סְּעוּ, וְעִבְרוּ אֶת-נַחַל אַרְנֹן--רְאֵה נָתַתִּי בְיָדְךָ אֶת-סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ-חֶשְׁבּוֹן הָאֱמֹרִי וְאֶת-אַרְצוֹ, הָחֵל רָשׁ; וְהִתְגָּר בּוֹ, מִלְחָמָה.  הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, אָחֵל תֵּת פַּחְדְּךָ וְיִרְאָתְךָ, עַל-פְּנֵי הָעַמִּים, תַּחַת כָּל-הַשָּׁמָיִם--אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְעוּן שִׁמְעֲךָ, וְרָגְזוּ וְחָלוּ מִפָּנֶיךָBy contrast the following verse states that Moses sent diplomats to request peace. Verse Nu21-21:22 states   And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying: 'Let me pass through thy land; we will not turn aside into field, or into vineyard; we will not drink of the water of the wells; we will go by the king's highway, until we have passed thy border.'   וַיִּשְׁלַח יִשְׂרָאֵל מַלְאָכִים, אֶל-סִיחֹן מֶלֶךְ-הָאֱמֹרִי לֵאמֹר.  אֶעְבְּרָה בְאַרְצֶךָ, לֹא נִטֶּה בְּשָׂדֶה וּבְכֶרֶם--לֹא נִשְׁתֶּה, מֵי בְאֵר:  בְּדֶרֶךְ הַמֶּלֶךְ נֵלֵךְ, עַד אֲשֶׁר-נַעֲבֹר גְּבֻלֶךָ.  But if God promised him conquest of Sichon why did Moses send diplomatic emissaries. 

We can resolve this contradiction using the method of stages : 
•	Stage 1 of war paradoxically consists of a request for peace.  There is in fact a beautiful minor tractate Peace which states See how great Peace is For even in time of war we begin with a request for peace. This too is explicitly stated in a verse. Verse Dt20-10 states   When thou drawest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.   כִּי-תִקְרַב אֶל-עִיר, לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיהָ--וְקָרָאתָ אֵלֶיהָ, לְשָׁלוֹם.  
•	Stage 2 of war consists of conquest (if the enemy does not agree to a peace treaty and alliance). 

7. RASHI METHOD: Formatting
This example applies to Rashis  Nu21-05a Nu21-05b
URL reference:(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ nu21-05a .htm
 
Modern formatting has a variety of vehicles which the writer uses to either create emphasis or point to an underlying unity. Three common examples of modern formatting are (a) bold-italic-underline, (b) paragraph indentation including use of line spaces, (c) use of bulleted lists. 

Authors use these formatting devices as follows: (a) All authors know that bold-italic-underline indicates emphasis. The Bible did not use bold-italic-underline but instead uses repetition to indicate emphasis. (b) Modern authors use indentation and line spaces between paragraphs to point to an underlying unity in a paragraph. The Bible indicates paragraph unity by using the theme-detail-theme, detail-theme, or theme-detail styles. (c) Modern authors use bulleted lists to indicate contrastive emphasis--the bullets together are seen as spanning a domain of ideas while each individual bullet is seen as indicating a separate and distinct idea. The bible indicates bulleted lists by either using repeated keywords or parallel structure. 

The reader will recognize the theme-detail-theme, detail-theme and theme-detail methods as three of the 13 exegetical methods of Rabbi Ishmael. What we have added is the explanation that the Rabbi Ishmael rules focus on biblical examples: Are these biblical examples understood as exhaustive of the whole law or are they understood as examples to be generalized? Similarly the reader will recognize that we have called the bullet method is the Rabbi Ishmael rule of context. What we have added to the Rabbi Ishmael exposition is the idea that parallel structure and repeated keywords are two methods of making inferences from context

Note the repeating keyword, against, in the following verse. Verse Nu21-05 states   And the people spoke against God, and against Moses: 'Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, and there is no water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.'   וַיְדַבֵּר הָעָם, בֵּאלֹהִים וּבְמֹשֶׁה, לָמָה הֶעֱלִיתֻנוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם, לָמוּת בַּמִּדְבָּר:  כִּי אֵין לֶחֶם, וְאֵין מַיִם, וְנַפְשֵׁנוּ קָצָה, בַּלֶּחֶם הַקְּלֹקֵל.  The verse could have simply said The nation complained against God and Moses . It is the repeated keyword, against, that creates the bulleting effect.  Rashi wryly states They equated God with Moses, a mere messenger. A less flashy version of this Rashi comment would be They made two complaints about the lack of food--they complained against both God and Moses. Rashi's point is clear---God had promised to provide food. But Moses was a mere messenger--how could he provide food. There was no cause to complain against him. 

8. RASHI METHOD: DATABASES
This example applies to Rashis  Nu20-12b 
URL reference:(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ lv20-15a .htm

The database method seeks to discover biblical ideas using the methods of modern database theory and sequential query language (SQL). The Talmudic sages and Rashi were totally familiar and frequently used all aspects of modern database theory. 

Today we ask the query: Where does the Bible exhort moral principles applicable to humans by extending these principles to inanimate objects? ? The query returns the 4 results listed below.

These four verses contain statements about non-human objects which reinforce similar statements about human beings. For example: If we are careful not to expose our nudity on stone steps (using a ramp vs. stairs) then all the more so we will be careful against exposing our nudity to people. The following table summarizes four such verses about non-human objects. 

============================================
VERSE    OBJECT  LAW (Usually applies to humans)
======== ======= =================================
Ex20-25d STONES  Don't expose nudity on STONE steps
Nu20-12b STONES  STONES should listen to God
Dt12-02  TREES   Destroy idolatrous TREES
Nu20-15a ANIMALS Kill ANIMAL who slept with person
=============================================

The full verse texts are as follows 
•	Verse Ex20-22 states   Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.    וְלֹא-תַעֲלֶה בְמַעֲלֹת, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי:  אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִגָּלֶה עֶרְוָתְךָ, עָלָיו.   
•	Verse Nu20-12 states   And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron: 'Because ye believed not in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'   וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה וְאֶל-אַהֲרֹן, יַעַן לֹא-הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם בִּי, לְהַקְדִּישֵׁנִי לְעֵינֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל--לָכֵן, לֹא תָבִיאוּ אֶת-הַקָּהָל הַזֶּה, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר-נָתַתִּי לָהֶם.  
•	Verse Dt12-02 states   Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree.   אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן אֶת-כָּל-הַמְּקֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ-שָׁם הַגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹרְשִׁים אֹתָם--אֶת-אֱלֹהֵיהֶם:  עַל-הֶהָרִים הָרָמִים וְעַל-הַגְּבָעוֹת, וְתַחַת כָּל-עֵץ רַעֲנָן.  
•	Verse Nu20-15 states   how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and our fathers;   וַיֵּרְדוּ אֲבֹתֵינוּ מִצְרַיְמָה, וַנֵּשֶׁב בְּמִצְרַיִם יָמִים רַבִּים; וַיָּרֵעוּ לָנוּ מִצְרַיִם, וְלַאֲבֹתֵינוּ.  

9. RASHI METHOD: SPREADSHEETS
This example applies to Rashis  Nu21-13a 
URL reference:(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ nu21-13a .htm

The spreadsheet method seeks to explain complicated biblical inferences using geometry, algebra and spreadsheets.  We use the term spreadsheet loosely to denote anything specific (not tone) and complicated. The Rashi need not use algebra and geometry. Rashi might simply illustrate a complicated example.

Verse Nu21-13 states   From thence they journeyed, and pitched on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness, that cometh out of the border of the Amorites.--For Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites;   מִשָּׁם, נָסָעוּ, וַיַּחֲנוּ מֵעֵבֶר אַרְנוֹן אֲשֶׁר בַּמִּדְבָּר, הַיֹּצֵא מִגְּבֻל הָאֱמֹרִי:  כִּי אַרְנוֹן גְּבוּל מוֹאָב, בֵּין מוֹאָב וּבֵין הָאֱמֹרִי.  

This complicated verse with many statements about the Emori-Moab border situation is simply clarified by the following geometric picture. 

===================================
-------------------------------
EMORI LAND | MOAB LAND   |
           |             |
           |             |
----------------|        |
EMORI LAND   x2 |x1 Arnon|
----------------|        |
====================================

The Jews dwelt at position x2 From this picture we see that 
•	x2 juts out of the Emori border 
•	But x2 is still in Emori 
•	Furthermore x2-x1 is the Emori-Moab border 
•	...despite the fact that it is inside Moab and away from Emori 

Thus in this example Rashi achieves his goal of commentary by using a geometric picture 

10. RASHI METHOD: SYMBOLISM
This example applies to Rashis  Nu19-02a
URL reference:(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ nu19-02a .htm

The symbolism method seeks to extract meaningful inferences from the symbolism of the biblical text.  The concept of symbolic interpretation is very involved. A good, compact, clear reference explaining when symbolism can be used and how to apply it may be found in my article Genesis 1 speaks about the creation of prophecy not the world which you can find at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm. Today we explore the symbolism in Nu19-02a which describes the sacrificial symbolism of animals, gender and color.

Verse Nu19-02 states   This is the statute of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red female cow, faultless, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke.   זֹאת חֻקַּת הַתּוֹרָה, אֲשֶׁר-צִוָּה יְהוָה לֵאמֹר:  דַּבֵּר אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִקְחוּ אֵלֶיךָ פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה תְּמִימָה אֲשֶׁר אֵין-בָּהּ מוּם, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-עָלָה עָלֶיהָ, עֹלRashi states The female red cow atones on the idolatrous golden male calf 

Reviewing this Rashi we see three contrasts 
•	adult cow vs teenage calf 
•	red vs gold 
•	male vs female 

The symbolism of these items is well known. This symbolism indicates how the sin of the idolatrous golden calf can be atoned for 
•	Teenagers concentrate on sexual development while adults concentrate on work and place in society. The sinners saw the goal of religion in frivolous religious affairs which would help their sex lives. Instead they should have concentrated on giving everyone meaningful lives and places in society. The verses explicitly identify frivolity as a goal of the Golden calf sin. Verse Ex32-06 states   And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to be frivolous.    וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ, מִמָּחֳרָת, וַיַּעֲלוּ עֹלֹת, וַיַּגִּשׁוּ שְׁלָמִים; וַיֵּשֶׁב הָעָם לֶאֱכֹל וְשָׁתוֹ, וַיָּקֻמוּ לְצַחֵק.   
•	Gold is the color of glitter and showing off; red, while an intense color, connotes low key activity. Religion should not be a vehicle to show off; rather the emphasis should be on pleasantly being part of a whole and modestly making a contribution. This emphasis on glitter and brawling is explicitly indicated in verses Verse Ex32-17:19 states   And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses: 'There is a brawl of war in the camp.' And he said: 'It is not the brawl of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the brawl of them that cry for being overcome, but a brawl do I hear.' And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.   וַיִּשְׁמַע יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֶת-קוֹל הָעָם, בְּרֵעֹה; וַיֹּאמֶר, אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, קוֹל מִלְחָמָה, בַּמַּחֲנֶה.  וַיֹּאמֶר, אֵין קוֹל עֲנוֹת גְּבוּרָה, וְאֵין קוֹל, עֲנוֹת חֲלוּשָׁה; קוֹל עַנּוֹת, אָנֹכִי שֹׁמֵעַ.  וַיְהִי, כַּאֲשֶׁר קָרַב אֶל-הַמַּחֲנֶה, וַיַּרְא אֶת-הָעֵגֶל, וּמְחֹלֹת; וַיִּחַר-אַף מֹשֶׁה, וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ מִיָּדָו אֶת-הַלֻּחֹת, וַיְשַׁבֵּר אֹתָם, תַּחַת הָהָר.
•	It is well known that male symbolizes active while females symbolize passive. The proper procedure in religion should be to passively accept Gods will; not to mold Gods will to our preconceived notion. This error (making religion submit to our preconceived conception) is also indicated explicitly in verses connected with the golden calf: Verse Ex32-01 states   And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him: 'Up, make us a god who shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.'   וַיַּרְא הָעָם, כִּי-בֹשֵׁשׁ מֹשֶׁה לָרֶדֶת מִן-הָהָר; וַיִּקָּהֵל הָעָם עַל-אַהֲרֹן, וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו קוּם עֲשֵׂה-לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ--כִּי-זֶה מֹשֶׁה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָנוּ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, לֹא יָדַעְנוּ מֶה-הָיָה לוֹ.  

Conclusion

This week's parshah contains no examples of the style method. This concludes this weeks edition. Visit the RashiYomi website at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/for further details and examples.