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Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 21:49:34 -0400
From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Subject: Re: something interesting

Just a short response to Lisa Wright [Tf4 20] who in effect asks what the
enigmatic verse in Joshua----Let the sun stand still in Givon-- means.

The Ralbag--a famous French commentary, known as Gersonides--answers:
Here is an example of HOW he views the sentence: "I cooked this meal while
you were taking out the garbage" This implies that in the short time it
took you to take out the garbage I cooked a whole meal (which normally
takes alot of time)

So too the verse in Joshua should be perceived as saying: "Joshua defeated
Jericho WHILE THE SUN PASSED OVER GIVEON" In other words even though the
sun passes over GIVEON quickly, and wars usually take a long time, Joshua
had sufficient time to win the war.

As to the actual word: DOM=QUIET=STOP--this would be analogous to "I
STOPPED over in NY (indicating a PASSING OVER)"

Best wishes in learning Tnach (And transmitting cute computer stories)
Russell Jay Hendel
RHendel@mcs.drexel.edu