The 10 RashiYomi Rules
Their presence in Rashis on Parshat AyQueV
Vol 7, # 8 - Adapted from Rashi-is-Simple
Visit the RashiYomi website: http://www.Rashiyomi.com/
(c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr. Hendel, President, Aug 2nd, 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.

    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 Dt11-22b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt11-30e.htm
    Brief Summary: The obligation to WALK IN GOD'S WAYS (Dt11-30e) refers to IMITATING HIS 13 ATTRIBUTES (Ex34-06:07)

Using the verses below, which discuss God's way Rashi clarifies That God's way refers to the 13 personality attributes listed in Ex34-06:07.

Target Verse Text Cross Reference Text Rashi Comment
Dt11-22 For if you shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to hold fast to him; Ex33-13,Ex34-06:07 Now therefore, I beg you, if I have found grace in your sight, show me now Your way .... And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed,
  1. The Lord,
  2. The Lord
  3. God,
  4. merciful and
  5. gracious,
  6. long suffering, and
  7. abundant in goodness
  8. and truth,
  9. Keeping mercy for thousands of generations
  10. forgiving iniquity
  11. and transgression
  12. and sin, and
  13. Cleansing...
Rashi illumines the underlined words: The ways of God, in which we were commanded to walk, are the 13 personality traits of God shown to Moses in response to his request to know God's way.

      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 Dt08-01a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
      Brief Summary: Observe ALL commandments: a) No exceptions b) all parts

    The connective Hebrew word Kaph-Lamed has several meanings:
  • all (with no exceptions)
  • the whole (all parts)
  • all subgroups
  • all, including border-line cases

    Rashi applies the above list in an unusual interpretative manner. Rashi lists two interpretations of Dt08-01 using the two underlined meanings of Kaph Lamed indicated below:
  • Interpretation #1: All the commandments [Rashi: No exceptions] which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which HaShem swore unto your fathers.
  • Interpretation #2: The whole of the commandment [Rashi: If you begin a commandment then finish it] which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which HaShem swore unto your fathers.

Advanced Rashi: Those interested in the varied meanings of the Biblical connective word Kaph-Lamed are invited to review http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h28n20.htm#LIST005n for a comprehensive list.

      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 Dt07-02a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
      Brief Summary: DON'T GRACE THE NON-JEW - Don't acknowledge their GRACEFULLNESS

    Biblical Hebrew has a variety of techniques by which to transform verbs into nouns: The following examples are illustrative:
  • To flower means to create a flower
  • To dust means to remove the dust
  • To hammer means to use a hammer in its traditional manner of usage

Based on this list Rashi derives a verb to grace from the adjective Grace. To grace someone would mean to acknowledge / notice someone's gracefullness.

Hence Rashi translates verse Dt07-02 discussing the requirement of destruction of the 7 nations without giving them second chances: and when HaShem thy G-d shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, thou shall not grace them [Rashi: acknowledge the grace of their achievements]

    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 Dt11-13f
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
    Brief Summary: Both INDIVIDUAL and COMMUNITY must Love God.

    The table below presents an aligned extract of verses in Dt06-05 and Dt11-13f Both verses discuss the obligation to love God with all one's heart. The alignment justifies the Rashi assertion that Both the individual and community must show, each in its own way, Love of God.

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Dt06-05 And thou shalt love HaShem thy G-d with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might. The singular thou is used indicating that this - the commandment to Love God - is an obligation on the individual.
Dt11-13f .... if ye shall hearken to love HaShem your G-d, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. The plural ye is used indicating that this - the commandment to Love God - is an obligation on the community.

      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 Dt07-07a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt07-07a.htm
      Brief Summary: The Jews are numerically SMALL, militarily BIG

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses speak about the relative importance of Jews among the nations. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says the Jews are small while the other verse implies that the Jews are big. Which is it? Are the Jews a small or big nation?

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Jews are small Dt07-07 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples;
Nations greater than you implies that you yourself - the Jews - are big! Dt09-01 Hear, O Israel; You are to pass over the Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than yourself, cities great and fortified up to heaven,
Resolution: 2 Aspects
  • Numerically the Jews are small
  • Militarily the Jews are big.

By using the table structure with underlines we are able to participate and empathize with Rashi in construction of the Rashi comment.
    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 examples applies to Rashis Dt07-08b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
    Brief Summary: God watches over us BECAUSE a) He loves us and BECAUSE b) He promised the Patriarchs to love us.

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 indicated bullets by using repeating keywords.

That is, if a modern author wanted to get a point across using bullets - a list of similar but contrastive items - then the Biblical Author would use repeating keywords.

    This principle can be illustrated with verse Dt07-08b which discusses the reasons for God's protection of the Jewish people. But
    • because HaShem loved you, and
    • because of His keeping the oath which He swore unto your fathers,
    [Therefore] hath HaShem brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

    Rashi states: The repeating underlined keyword because, indicated by the Hebrew prefix letter Mem, functions like a set of bullets and identifies two reasons for God's protection of the Jewish people:
  • First of all God loves the Jewish people
  • Secondly, if the Jews sometimes sin, God still protects the Jews because of the oath God took to the Patriarchs.

Sermonic Points: There are obvious sermonic points to the above Rashi. We are told that God's protection is unconditional and cannot be removed if we sin. This is important during times of persecution - the awareness of God's protection gives persecuted Jews strength and helps prevent them from defecting from their religion. Furthermore, we are told that God's protection emanates from Love. That is the protection is not just because 'He has to' but rather is something God is interested in. Again: This gives encouragement that God will give full attention to the Jews and maintain them in all circumstances.

      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 Dt11-17c
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
      Brief Summary: God gives people an opportunity to repent. After that punishment is rapid.

We ask the following database query: How much time does God give people to repent after decreeing on them. The reader is encouraged to perform the query using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine. This database query yields the list below. The list justifies the following Rashi inference: God gives people time to repent. However if they already have a great leader who advises them of the way of God then God punishes rapidly and immediately. The list below presents the results of the database query.

Punishment Verse Verse Content Time to repent
Destruction of Flood Gn06-03 And HaShem said: 'My spirit shall not abide in man for ever, for that he also is flesh; therefore shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.' 120 years
Destruction of Ninveh Yn03-04 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he proclaimed, and said: 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.' 40 days
Punishment for non-observance Dt11-17 and the anger of HaShem be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, so that there shall be no rain, and the ground shall not yield her fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which HaShem giveth you. Immediately

    Rashi explains the discrepancy in the list.
  • Ninveh and the Generation of the Flood did not have good leaders; hence God gave them time to learn His ways and repent
  • The Jews however had a great leader, Moses, who taught them the way of God. Hence they had no further need to train and learn God's way. If they sin they would be punished immediately.

      9. RASHI METHOD: NonVerse
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: The common denominator of the 3 submethods of the NonVerse 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.
      Dt10-19a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n3.htm
      Brief Summary: Don't these others [tease them for being aliens] the way others have teased you [you were tease while being aliens in Egypt].

Verse Dt10-19a discussing the requirement to treat aliens with dignity and love states Love ye therefore the alien; for ye were alien in the land of Egypt.

Rashi explains the causal relationship between the two verse clauses by Filling in with obvious real world background Don't tease someone else about a blemish that you yourself have (that is, that you were Egyptian Aliens) In other words Since you personally experienced the anguish you should know better than to cause similar anguish to others.

Sermonic Point: Here the sermonic point is the driving force of the Rashi. We should always learn from our own personal experiences and thereby become more sensitive to others!

Conclusion

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