The 10 RashiYomi Rules
Their presence in Rashis on Parshat BaMiDBaR
Vol 6 #10
- Adapted from Rashi-is-Simple
Visit the RashiYomi website: http://www.Rashiyomi.com/
(c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr. Hendel, President, May - 31, - 2007


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.

FULL HOUSE THIS WEEK ALL RASHI RULES ILLUSTRATED

    1. RASHI METHOD: REFERENCES
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Commentary on a verse is provided thru a cross-reference to another verse. The cross references can either provide
    • (1a) further details,
    • (1b) confirm citations, or
    • (1c) clarify word meaning.
    This examples applies to Rashis Nu02-17a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu01-09a.htm
    Brief Summary: As they journeyed so they camped (Nu02-09a) REFERENCES Nu02-09:29 (CAMPINGS) and Nu10-13:27(JOURNEYINGS)

    Verse Nu02-09a discussing the journeys and campings of the Jewish people states Then the tent of meeting, with the camp of the Levites, shall set forward in the midst of the camps; as they encamped, so they set journeyed, every man in his place, by their standards. Rashi interprets the underlined phrase as they encamped, so they set journeyed by referencing the sequence of tribes in
    • Nu02-09:29 describing the campings of the Jewish people, and
    • Nu10-13:27 describing the journeyings of the Jewish people.
    Both the journeyings and campings indicate the same sequenceing of tribes:
    • Judah
    • Issacar
    • Zevulun
    • Reuven
    • Shimon
    • Gad
    • Ephraim
    • Menasheh
    • Binyamin
    • Dan
    • Asher
    • Naftali

    Sermonic points: Several other Rashis give sermonic points on why these orderings are so important. The reasons, curiously, date back to Jacob.These represent important lessons for us in selecting our own neighborhoods.
    • Tribes that got along with each other lived with other
    • Tribes with a common interest like learning (or mischief) lived together

    2. RASHI METHOD: WORD MEANING
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: The meaning of words can be explained either by
    • (2a) translating an idiom, a group of words whose collective meaning transcends the meaning of its individual component words,
    • (2b) explaining the nuances and commonality of synonyms-homographs,
    • (2c) describing the usages of connective words like also,because,if-then, when,
    • (2d) indicating how grammatical conjugation can change word meaning
    • (2e) changing word meaning using the figures of speech common to all languages such as irony and oxymorons.
    This examples applies to Rashis Nu11-01b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu11-01b.htm
    Brief Summary: ALEPH-VUV-NUN refers to STRUGGLE: The root can mean a) Virility b) Struggle c) Mourning d) Complain

    Today we explore the hononym method. The hononym method seeks to find a unifying theme to the diverse meanings of a single root. The Hebrew root studied today is Alelph Vav Nun We claim the unified meaning is
      Struggle. Therefore the root can refer to
    • struggle
    • virility, the struggle of a prolonged romantic affair,
    • complaining, the vehicle by which struggling is achieved
    • mourning, the struggle to define new meaning after a loss.
    We bring several verses below illustrate each of these meanings. All verses cited use the Hebrew root Aleph Nun.

    The underlined words in the following verses illustrating the points we have made
  • P090-10 states The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore years; yet is their pride but struggle and vanity; for it is speedily gone, and we fly away.
  • Dt21-17 states but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath; for he is the first-fruits of his virility the right of the first-born is his.
  • Dt26-14 states I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I put away thereof, being unclean, nor given thereof for the dead; I have hearkened to the voice of HaShem my G-d, I have done according to all that Thou hast commanded me.
  • Nu11-01b states And the people were complaining, speaking evil in the ears of HaShem; and when HaShem heard it, His anger was kindled; and the fire of HaShem burnt among them, and devoured in the uttermost part of the camp.

Sermonic points: By using a root meaning struggle to refer to such important life events as mourning and virility Judaism indicates what it expects from people involved in these processes. Mourning should not be something passive but rather a struggle, in fact a struggle to find new meaning; Hebrew even expresses a goal for complainers - every complainer should be a struggler; they should see the complaining as a means of achieving a goal!

    3. RASHI METHOD: GRAMMAR
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi explains verses using grammar principles, that is, rules which relate reproducable word form to word meaning. Grammatical rules neatly fall into 3 categories
    • (a) the rules governing conjugation of individual words,Biblical roots,
    • (b) the rules governing collections of words,clauses, sentences
    • (c) miscellaneous grammatical, or form-meaning, rules.
    This examples applies to Rashis Nu01-04a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu01-04a.htm
    Brief Summary: FOR YOU adverbially connotes a PERSONAL aspect. Make FOR YOURSELF trumpets means Make for your personal use.

A miscellaneous rule in Biblical grammar states that the pronoun for himself when used in a sentence functions adverbially to indicate that the activity of the sentence was done for personal reasons.

    A good example of this occurs in Nu10-01:02 And HaShem spoke unto Moses, saying: Make for yourself two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou make them; and they shall be unto thee for the calling of the congregation, and for causing the camps to set forward. Rashi comments on the personal aspect of making the trumpets by providing three possible methods of personal aspect.
    • Make the trumpets for yourself--only you can use them.
    • Make the trumpets from your own funds
    • The trumpets are used for your assemblies

Another example occurs at Ex18-27 which concludes the chapter describing how Jethro recognized the superiority of the Jewish God over other gods. The verse, translated with the above rule, states And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went for personal reasons into his own land. Rashi comments on the adverbial phrase: For personal reasons: He returned to found his own personal society/club of people who believe in a monotheistic God. The club/society he founded is referenced in Ju04-11. which states Now the Kenite society, who was of the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent near the terebinth in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.

Advanced Rashi: We have only given two examples above. Over the next few weeks we will develop this theme by bringing in many more examples. Very often a Rashi method is not appreciated till you have examined many verses which, in diverse settings, apply the same rule.

    4. RASHI METHOD: ALIGNMENT
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Aligning two almost identically worded verselets can suggest
    • (4a) 2 cases of the same incident or law
    • (4b) emphasis on the nuances of a case
    • (4c) use of broad vs literal usage of words
    This examples applies to Rashis Nu09-04a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu09-04a.htm
    Brief Summary: Moses cited, to the Jews, [The HOLIDAYS | to do the PASSOVER].

    Note the underlined aligned differences in the following two verses, each of which discusses the teaching of holiday laws to the Jewish people
    • Lv23-44 stated at Sinai, states
      • And Moses spoke unto the children of Israel
      • about the holidays.
    • Nu09-04 stated during the Jew's travels in the wilderness states
      • And Moses spoke unto the children of Israel,
      • that they should do the passover.
    Note: In presenting these verses we have changed the phrase order so that identical words should line up.

    Rashi noting the contrast between the underlined phrases about the holidays vs. should do the Passover states: Moses
    • Generally taught all holiday laws at Sinai
    • He then reviewed the laws again right before each holiday when it was the time to do them.
    From this we infer the Rabbinic guidance: People should review holiday laws 30 days before each holiday so that they will know what to do.

    The number 30 is of course not derived from the textual alignment. Rather 30 (30 days = 1 month) is a general minimum time span used throughout Jewish law.

    5. RASHI METHOD: CONTRADICTION
    BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi resolves contradictory verses using 3 methods.
    • (5a) Resolution using two aspects of the same event
    • (5b) Resolution using two stages of the same process
    • (5c) Resolution using broad-literal interpretation.
    This example applies to Rashis Nu10-29a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu10-29a.htm
    Brief Summary: The word FATHER can refer to FATHER or GRANDFATHER.

    Note the contradiction in the following verses both describing Moses' wife's (Tziporah's) family:
  • Verse Ex02-18 describing Tziporah's sisters returning from the well where they were harassed by the shepards, states And when they came to Reuel their father, he said: 'How is it that ye are come so soon to-day?'
  • Verse Nu10-29 discussing Moses' request, to his father-in-law, to accompany the Jews on their journey to Israel states And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law: 'We are journeying unto the place of which HaShem said: I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good; for HaShem hath spoken good concerning Israel.'

We see the contradiction. Which is it? Was Reuel the father of Moses' wife, Tzipporah, or was Reuel the grand-father of Moses' wife, Tzipporah?

Rashi resolves this using the broad-literal method of resolution: The word father can equally mean father or grand-father. Hence, Reuel was the grandfather of Moses wife, Tzipporah. The narrative in Ex02-18 states that Tzipporah and her sisters came to Reuel their grandfather who suggested that a descent man who saved them from harassment should be trusted to go out with (Grandfathers typically give such advice).

    6. RASHI METHOD: STYLE
    Rashi examines how rules of style influences inferences between general and detail statements in paragraphs.
    • Example: Every solo example stated by the Bible must be broadly generalized;
    • Theme-Detail: A general principle followed by an example is interpreted restrictively---the general theme statement only applies in the case of the example;
    • Theme-Detail-Theme: A Theme-Detail-Theme unit is interpreted as a paragraph. Consequently the details of the paragraph are generalized so that they are seen as illustrative of the theme.
    This examples applies to Rashis Nu09-02a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu09-02a.htm
    Brief Summary: Observe Passover in its SEASON but only on the FOURTEENTH.

    Verse Nu09-02a:03 is written in a General-Detail form:
    • Let the children of Israel keep the passover in its appointed season.
    • [but only]at the fourteenth day of this month, at dusk, ye shall keep it in its appointed season; according to all the statutes of it, and according to all the ordinances thereof, shall ye keep it.'
    Recall that the general-detail style requires a restrictive interpretation - only the detail clause holds. Rashi comments on this general-detail style. When observing Passover in its season only observe it on the 14th - even if the 14th falls out on a Sabbath (which is very inconveniencing) and even if you are ritually unclean (which is also very inconveniencing since you can't offer sacrifices while ritually unclean).

    7. RASHI METHOD: FORMATTING
    BRIEF EXPLANATION:Inferences from Biblical formatting:
    • Use of repetition to indicate formatting effects: bold,italics,...;
    • use of repeated keywords to indicate a bullet effect;
    • rules governing use and interpretation of climactic sequence;
    • rules governing paragraph development and discourse
    This example applies to Rashis
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu03-09a.htm Nu09-10a

    Brief Summary: If a person is XX FAR AWAY XX -- not necessarily really FAR AWAY but FAR AWAY ENOUGH to not be able to come to Jerusalem.

We have explained in our article Biblical Formatting located on the world wide web at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/biblicalformatting.pdf, that the Biblical Author indicates bold, italics, underline by using repetition. In other words if a modern author wanted to emphasize a word they would either underline, bold or italicize it. However when the Biblical author wishes to emphasize a word He repeats it. The effect - whether thru repetition or using underline - is the same. It is only the means of conveying this emphasis that is different.

When a modern author wishes to deemphasize a concept they will strike it out. When the Biblical author wishes to deemphasize a concept He places dots over it. The dots in the Biblical version, or the strikeout in the modern version, indicate deemphasis.

    There are 5 examples of dotting or strikeout in the Bible. They are presented in the list below along with the accompanying Rashi interpretation.
    • Nu03-39a: All that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of HaShem, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand. Rashi: Aaron was stricken from the census--that is he wasn't counted since he was a Levite.
    • Gn33-04a: And Esau ran to meet him [Jacob], and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; and they wept. Rashi: It wasn't a real (i.e. sincere) kiss since Esau really hated Jacob.
    • Dt29-29a: The secret things [sins] belong unto HaShem our G-d; but the things [sins] that are revealed belong [are visited] unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Rashi: Revealed sins weren't always visited upon the community; they weren't visited upon the community till after the conquest of Israel in the time of Joshua.
    • Gn37-12a: And his brethren went to shepard their father's flock in Shechem. Rashi: They didn't really go to shepard sheep; rather they went to escape their father who favored Joseph.
    • Nu09-10a: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying: If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto HaShem; Rashi: Not absolutely far away - but far away enough not to be able to come to Jerusalem.

Advanced Rashi: Each of the above Rashis might look homiletic by itself. However the list of Rashis creates an aura of credibility that we would otherwise not be able to achieve. The list of examples is thus an important vehicle for understanding and explaining difficult Rashis.

    8. RASHI METHOD: DATABASES
    BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi makes inferences from Database queries. The precise definition of database query has been identified in modern times with the 8 operations of Sequential Query Language (SQL).

    This example applies to Rashis Nu08-07b Nu08-09a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu08-07b.htm
    Brief Summary: LEANING on an object symbolically indicates TRANSFER of responsibility

    Today we ask the database query: When is leaning used in Biblical commandments / procedures? The query uncovers 3 examples of commandments with leaning. An examination of these 3 examples shows that leaning symbolically indicates transfer of responsibility.
  • Physically the leaner is now supported by the object he leans on.
  • This symbolically affirms that the leaner is now supported morally by the object he leans on - that is, there has been transfer of responsibility.

The table below presents the 3 commandments as well as their symbolic interpretation. We also include a non-commandment example of leaning. It follows that this Rashi combines the database and symbolism methods.

Commandment Verse Text Of Verse Symbolic meaning of leaning
Offerings Lv01-04 And he shall lean with his hands upon the head of the elevation-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. The offerer transfers his obligations to the offered animal. Hence what is done to the offered animal (e.g. sprinkling the life-force blood towards the Godly altar fires) is what he himself should do.
Executions Lv24-14b Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lean their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. The stoners transfer the responsibility of stoning to the executed: You are responsible for this stoning not us (Rashi).
Levite Induction Ceremony Nu08-09a And thou shalt present the Levites before the tent of meeting; and thou shalt assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel. And thou shalt present the Levites before HaShem; and the children of Israel shall lean their hands upon the Levites. The Israelites transfer their responsibility of performing correct offering procedures to the Levites who now minister in the Temple as the representatives of the Israelite community.
Joshua's induction ceremony Nu27-18 And HaShem said unto Moses: 'Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is spirit, and lean thy hand upon him; Moses leans or finds support thru Joshua who will succeed Moses and perform his duties of leadership.

Sermonic points: The idea of symbolically affirming a serious moment such as transfer of responsibility occurs in many cultures with many diverse symbols. All cultures recognize the need to symbolically affirm serious moments and values. The symbolism here identifes support in the physical realm with moral support in the social realm. It is a symbol based on function.

    9. RASHI METHOD: SPREADSHEETS
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: The common denominator of the 3 submethods of the Spreadsheet method is that inferences are made from non textual material. The 3 submethods are as follows:
    • Spreadsheet: Rashi makes inferences of a numerical nature that can be summarized in a traditional spreadsheet
    • Geometric: Rashi clarifies a Biblical text using descriptions of geometric diagrams
    • Fill-ins: Rashi supplies either real-world background material or indicates real-world inferences from a verse. The emphasis here is on the real-world, non-textual nature of the material.
    This example applies to Rashis Nu10-11a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu10-11a.htm
    Brief Summary: The Jews stayed a little under a year (11 months, 3 weeks) at Sinai.

Verse Ex19-01 describing the Jews arrival at Sinai, where they received the Torah, states: In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. Verse Nu10-11a describing the departure of the Jews from Sinai, states: And it came to pass in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, that the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the testimony. Based on these two verses Rashi infers The Jews stayed at Sinai for a little under a year. [The table below shows they stayed for 11 months 3 weeks)] The spreadsheet below shows the computations that led to Rashi's conclusion.

Source Arrival Place Year Month Day
Ex19-01 Arrival Mount Sinai Year 0 Month 3 Day 1
Nu10-11a Departure Mount Sinai Year 1 Month 2 Day 20
Logic Duration Mount Sinai 0 11 months 19 days

Sermonic Points: The Torah was received at Sinai. But you can't learn a whole new law code in one day. There are in fact 293 paragraphs in the Torah. Moses, at the orders of God, taught the people one paragraph a day. Saturdays were used for review. Hence the whole Torah was reviewed in 293 days (one for each paragraph) + 49 Saturdays (293/6 = 49) = 344 days = 11 months x 29.5 days per month + 19 days. Here the Torah and Moses show us the proper way to absorb new learning material thru digestable daily learning. This Rashi is the basis of the Page-a-day (DafYomi) Talmud learning project.

We have presented the beautiful symbolism of the leaning ceremony in rule #8, Database above. We encourage the reader to re-read this passage at this time.

Conclusion

This week's parshah contains examples of all methods. This concludes this weeks edition. Visit the RashiYomi website at http://www.Rashiyomi.com for further details and examples.