The 10 RashiYomi Rules
Their presence in Rashis on Parshat MiShPaTiM
Volume 9, Number 2
Used in the monthly Rashi-is-Simple and the Daily Rashi.
Visit the RashiYomi website: http://www.Rashiyomi.com/
(c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr. Hendel, President,
Jan - 31, - 2008

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 Ex23-19a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
    Brief Summary: The command to bring first-fruits to the temple (Ex23-19) is detailed in Dt26-02

Verse Ex23-19a discussing the command to bring first fruits to the Temple states The choicest first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of HaShem thy G-d. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk. Rashi clarifies the underlined words first fruits by referencing verse Dt26-01:02 which states And it shall be, when you come in to the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance, and possess it, and live in it; That you shall take from the first of all the fruit of the earth, which you shall bring of your land that the Lord your God gives you, and shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which the Lord your God shall choose to place his name there. Hence the Rashi comment: (a) 'When you come take the first fruit' implies that when you go down to your field and see the first date or olive that you tie a string around it and declare 'This is first fruit.' (b) Other laws are inferred from Dt26-02: It says that you should take from the first fruit emphasizing that not all first fruits are given but only special ones such as the first fruit of the 7 species for which Israel was known. Other details to these laws are also stated in Dt26.

Text of Target verse Ex20-19a Text of Reference Verse Dt26-01:02
The choicest first-fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of HaShem thy G-d. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk. And it shall be, when you come in to the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance, and possess it, and live in it; That you shall take from the first of all the fruit of the earth, which you shall bring of your land that the Lord your God gives you, and shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which the Lord your God shall choose to place his name there.
Rashi comments: (a) 'When you come take the first fruit' implies that when you go down to your field and see the first date or olive that you tie a string around it and declare 'This is first fruit.' (b) Other laws are inferred from Dt26-02: It says that you should take from the first fruit emphasizing that not all first fruits are given but only special ones such as the first fruit of the 7 species for which Israel was known. Other details to these laws are also stated in Dt26.

      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 Ex23-05c
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: PERHAPS you will see the donkey of your enemy overburdened with transport and you will abstain from helping him? You must, WITH HIS HELP, UNLOAD UNLOAD.

Todays example combines word meaning, formatting, and grammar rules.

The special word method deals with the few dozen special words that exist in all languages. Familiar examples are also, when, that, because, only, this,.... Rashi's job, when he comments on a special connective words, is to list the varied nuances and usages of the word. The most famous example is the Hebrew word Kaph Yud which can mean because, that, when, perhaps, rather, if. Sometimes Rashi explicitly gives all meanings of a connective word as happens with Kaph Yud while at other times Rashi does not give all meanings at once. In such a case the student must gather all the meanings together from various places.

    The Hebrew word KI can mean
  • When As in Dt32-03a When I mention God's name acknowledge greatness to our God
  • that As in Nu20-29c The nation saw that Aaron died
  • If As in Ex34-09a If they (the Jews) are stiff-necked then you will forgive their iniquities and their sins and help us inherit the land
  • because As in Gn18-15a ...Sarah denied it saying 'I did not laugh', because she was afraid
  • rather As in Dt15-08b ...And you will eye evil-ly your poor brother and not give him (charity); rather open open your hand to him...
  • Perhaps As in Ex23-05c Perhaps you will see the donkey of your enemy overburdened with transport and you will abstain from helping him? surely you must, with his help, unload.

Advanced Rashi: In this case we have incorporated the Rashi comment into the translation of the verse. This incorporation technique is very useful when discussing Rashis on translations.

We have only commmented on the meaning of the Hebrew word Ki. However there are two other Rashi comments on this verse. One explains the use of the pronomial phrase with his help; this will be explained in rule #3 below, grammar. The other explains the use of repetition; help him unload unload which will be explained in rule #7 below format.

      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 Ex23-05c
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: PERHAPS you will see the donkey of your enemy overburdened with transport and you will abstain from helping him? You must, WITH HIS HELP, UNLOAD UNLOAD.

Todays example combines word meaning, formatting, and grammar rules.

Two familiar functions of grammar in all languages are pronoun reference and plurality.

Hebrew is more flexible than English in pronoun reference. However Hebrew frequently follows the rule in all languages that a pronoun refers to the last mentioned person.

    Biblical Hebrew, in general, has two methods of indicating pronouns
    • Suffix: For example if I wanted to say Help him I would add a suffix Nun-Vav to the verb meaning help. The suffix nun-vav means that the indirect object of the help should be him.
    • Full word: However when a full word is used for a pronoun it indicates emphasis: Only to that person.
    This beautiful suffix-word distinction was developed by the great modern commentator, Malbim. Malbim uses this principle numerous times, especially throughout Leviticus to explain various exegetical laws.

In verse Ex23-05 the English phrase with him is indicated by an entire word (vs. a suffix) thus indicating emphasis. I have captured the essence of this emphasis by translating you must, with his help unload. Rashi (following the Mechiltah brought down in the Talmud) states Does the command to help unload a donkey imply that the owner of the donkey can maliciously sit down in the shade and order me to unload by myself since I am commanded to? No! For this reason it states you must with his help unload. Again we emphasize that the driving force of this exegesis is the use of an entire word to indicate a pronoun indicating extra emphasis.

Advanced Rashi: As indicated we will complete the explanation of this Rashi in rule #7, formatting below.

    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 Ex23-13b,c
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm Brief Summary: a) Do ALL commandments b1) No mention of IDOLATRY b2) No CAUSE of MENTION of idolatry.

The table below presents an aligned extract of verselets in Ex23-13b,c Both verselets discuss the obligation to observe commandments and avoid idolatry The alignments justify the Rashi assertions that (a) The abstention from idolatry is equivalent in moral worth to observing the entire Torah. (b) One should not (b1) mention idolatry casually, e.g. 'We will meet by that statute' nor (b2) cause others to mention idolatry, e.g. bring a person to court and force him to swear by his god.

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Ex23-13 And in all things that I have said unto you take ye heed; Do all the commandments
Ex23-13
  • and make no mention of the name of other gods,
  • neither cause it to be heard by your order.

We can align do all the commandments and avoid idolatry to infer that abstention from idolatry is equivalent in moral impact to observance of the entire Torah.

From the sub-alignment no mention of other gods vs. no cause of mention by your order we infer that one should neither casually mention idolatry as e.g. telling someone 'meet me by that statute' nor should one cause others to mention idolatry as e.g. by suing someone in court and forcing them to swear by their god.

Advanced Rashi: Notice the unusual features of two alignments in the verse. The two verse halves from an alignment - do all commandments, don't associate with idols - and the two halves of the second verse also align suggesting a spectrum of mentioning of idolatry from casual to serious.

      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 Ex23-17a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: Observe festivals - bring food to Jeruslem and give to the poor - even during the seventh year (when land ownership ceases)

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses speak about commandments related to land produce The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse set says Observe festivals - bring produce to Jerusalem and give produce tithe to the poor. while the other verse states there is no land ownership in the 7th year(Shmitah) Which is it? Is there an obligation to observe the festivals during the 7th year or not? Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 case method: Even though land is not owned (and the festival land laws do not apply) still observe the other festival laws in the 7th year

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Festival Land commandments (give to poor, eat produce in Jerusalem) Dt14-23 ...And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks...And the Levite who is inside your gates; you shall not forsake him; for he has no part nor inheritance with you...
But even though there is no land ownership in the seventh year still observe the festivals Ex23-10,11,14,17 And six years you shall sow your land, ... But the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie still; that the poor of your people may eat; ... Three times you shall keep a feast to me in the year...Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.
Resolution: 2 Cases Even though land is not owned (and the festival land laws do not necessarily apply) still observe the other festival laws in the 7th year

    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 Ex23-26a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
    If you will observe My laws...I will destroy your enemmies, you will not have barrenness...if you observe my law

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development-Theme form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The paragraph-like unit is then closed with a repetition of the broad theme. The Theme-Detail-Theme form creates a unified paragraph. The detailed section of this paragraph is therefore seen as an extension of the general theme sentences. Today's example illustrates this as shown immediately below.

    Biblical verses Ex23-20:32 form a Biblical paragraph with a theme-detail-theme structure. The paragraph discusses God's promise to protect the people in they observe God's law
    • General: Behold, I send an Angel before you, to keep you in the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.... But if you shall indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then
    • Details:
      • I will be an enemy to your enemies,
      • and an adversary to your adversaries.
      • For my Angel shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorites, ...
      • and he shall bless your bread, and your water;
      • and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
      • None shall miscarry, nor be barren, in your land;
      • the number of your days I will fulfil.
      • ... and will destroy all the people to whom you shall come, ...
      • until you are increased, and inherit the land....
      • And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river; ...
    • General: You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not live in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

    The general-theme-general structure says the following
  • General: Observe God's commandments
  • Detail: And he will destroy your enemies
  • General:Observe God's commandments - don't be misled by the nations you come to

Advanced Rashi: Rashi makes his comments on the bold words none shall miscarry Rashi explains that this promise of lack of miscarriages belongs in the paragraph promising God's help conditional to our observing his commandments. That is, it is not a new paragraph but rather a continuation of the previous paragraph.

      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 Ex23-05c
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: PERHAPS you will see the donkey of your enemy overburdened with transport and you will abstain from helping him? You must, WITH HIS HELP, UNLOAD UNLOAD.

Todays example combines the meaning, grammar, and formatting rules #2,#3 and #7.The interested reader is referred to the discussion in the previous examples.

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.

Verse Ex23-05c states perhaps you will see the donkey of your enemy overburdened with transport and you will abstain from helping him? You must, with his help, unload unload. Rashi commenting on the repeated words unload unload connoting an unspecified emphasis states You must always unload the donkey even e.g. if the person is elderly and cannot help you.

    Advanced Rashi: To fully appreciate this Rashi we remind ourselves of the emphasis brought by the use of a full word to indicate the pronoun, with him. explained above in rule #3, Grammar
    • From the use of a full word to indicate with him we infer that you shoud only help when the owner of the donkey participates with the unloading
    • but from the repeated unload unload we infer that you must always unload even if the owner is not there.
    Thus these two emphasii - only with him vs. always unload - create two contradictory albeit unspecified emphasis. Such appearances of dual emphasis occurs frequently in the exegetical literature. Rashi following the mechiltah and talmud resolves this by skillfully identifying two cases
    • Obviously if the person is elderly you must still unload even though he can't help
    • But equally obviously if the person is a smart-alec who sits down and says 'You are obligated to unload - go do it' then you do not have to assist.

The above Rashi is therefore fundamental and illustrative of a broad class of Rashi comments with talmudic flavor. The serious student of exegesis would do well to study it throughly.

      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.
      This examples applies to Rashis Ex19-01a,Ex19-03a,Ex19-08a,Ex19-09d,Ex24-04b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: Bible describes in detail chronology from 1 Sivan to 7 Sivan when Torah was received.

The table below presents the chronology of events from the arrival at Mount Sinai to the giving of the Torah.

Verse Event Dates How is date indicated
Ex19-01 Arrival at Mount Sinai 1st of Sivan Bible explicitly says
Ex19-03 Moses' 1st ascent to Mountain 2nd of Sivan Logic: Rest one day; ascend next day
Ex19-08 Moses delivers people's acceptance 3rd of Sivan Logic: One day to discuss; response next day
Ex19-09 Moses delivers 2nd response of people 4th of Sivan Logic: New response next day after discussion
Ex24-01 God tells Moses to ascend for Decalogue 4th Sivan Logic: Topics in Ex19-09, Ex24-01 similar
Ex24-04 Pre-sacrifices to revelation 5th of Sivan Logic: 'In Morning' implies next day
Ex19-15 3 days of separation 4th-6th Sivan Logic: Order on 4th; 3 days ends on 6th
Ex20 Decalogue 7th Sivan Logic: After 3 days of separation

Advanced Rashi: We have stated most aspects of Rashi's derivation. Rashi gives further points. For example Rashi mentions that some people believe the Torah was given on the 6th of Sivan the end of the 3 day separation period. If one carefully examines the above derivation one sees that the driving force behind the Rashi comments is that a response by Moses took place after a day of discussion with the nation. Such assumptions of reasonableness are typical in spreadsheet Rashis.

Conclusion

This week's parshah does not contain examples of the database and symbolism methods. Visit the RashiYomi website at http://www.Rashiyomi.com for further details and examples.