NOTE: Throughout this digest the phrase WORDS EMPHASIZED
IN THE VERSES CITED BELOW/ABOVE indicates
- CAPS
- **Asterisked**
- (or in later versions) Bold, italics, underline
Lv01-01e, Ex25-22b CONTRADICTION-2Aspects
########################################################
Note the contradiction in the following verses. The
issue is FROM WHERE DOES GOD SPEAK TO MOSES
- Lv01-01e
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE HaShem called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the **tent of
meeting**, saying:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Ex25-22b
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And there I will meet with thee,
and I will speak with thee from above the **ark-cover**,
from between the **two cherubim** which are
upon the **ark of the testimony**,
of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of
Israel.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Nu07-89
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And when **Moses** went into the **tent of meeting** that He might speak with
him,
then he heard the **Voice** speaking unto him
from above the **ark-cover** that was
upon the **ark of the testimony**,
from between the two **cherubim**;
and He spoke unto him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see the CONTRADICTION: Which is it? Did God speak
from the KERUBIM or the WHOLE TENT? Rashi resolves
this using the 2ASPECTS method of resolution.
RASHI: There are 2 Aspects to God-Moses Communication
- MOSES stood at ENTRANCE of TENT MEETING
- VOICE came from CHERUBIM on ARK COVER on ARK
Lv01-03c FORMAT-bold
########################################################
Note the REPEATED word BRINGETH in
Lv01-03c, discussing the sacrifices states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- THE HaShem called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the tent of meeting,
saying:
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them:
- When any man of you **bringeth** an offering unto HaShem,
- ye shall **bring** your offering of the cattle, even of the herd or of the flock.
- If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall **bring it** a male
- without blemish; he shall **bring only it** to the door of the tent of meeting,
that he may be accepted before HaShem.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
The Repeated word BRING implies ALWAYS bring even if e.g. The sacrifices
of two different owners got mixed up
(The REPETITION creates EMPHASIS--always bring even if sacrifices got
mixed up)
Lv01-03c ALIGNMENT-nuances
########################################################
Note the contrast between BRING IT vs BRING
ONLY IT in
Lv01-03c discussing the sacrifices states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- THE HaShem called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the tent of meeting,
saying:
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them:
When any man of you **bringeth** an offering unto HaShem,
ye shall **bring** your offering of the cattle, even of the herd or of the flock.
- If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall **bring it** a male
without blemish;
- he shall **bring only it** to the door of the tent of meeting,
that he may be accepted before HaShem.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Notice the following ALIGNMENT
----------------------------------
- Bring it
- Bring ONLY it
----------------------------------
The word ONLY creates EMPHASIS:
---Although you can bring MIXED up sacrifices (BRING BRING)
---You cannot bring PROPERLY PREPARED SACRIFICES mixed up with IMPROPERLY
PREPARED SACRIFICES
NOTE:
We have followed the MALBIM in this translation.Malbim translates
- TERMINAL VAV as meaning IT
- The word OTHO (Alep Tauv Vav) as meaning ONLY IT
Lv01-05b REFERENCE-details
--------------------------
The EMPHASIZED phrases in the following verses
all discuss WHERE various sacrifices were slaughtered
Lv01-05 Ox Elevation offering
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And he shall SLAUGHTER the bullock **before HaShem**; ..
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lv01-11 Penned Elevation Offering
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And he shall SLAUGHTER it on the **side of the altar northward before
HaShem;....**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lv03-02 Peace Offering
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
...and SLAUGHTER it at the **door of the tent of meeting;**...
Lv04-29 King Sin Offering
...and SLAUGHTER the sin-offering in the place of burnt-offering. ...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lv06-18 Sin offering
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
in the place where the burnt-offering is SLAUGHTERED
shall the sin-offering be SLAUGHTERED **before HaShem**;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- The ELEVATION OFFERING has a designated place for slaughter (Lv06-18, Lv04-29)
- That Place is on the NORTHERN side of the COPPER altar inside the TEMPLE
COURTYARD (Lv01-11)
- Other offerings were slaughtered near the TEMPLE door but not necessarily on
the North side(Lv03-02)
Notice the ALIGNMENT of phrases
------------------------------
- slaughter BEFORE GOD (penned Elevation, ox Elevation)
- slaughter by TEMPLE DOOR (Peace offering)
-------------------------------
The phrase BEFORE GOD apparently refers to slaughter by the ALTAR
as explicitlyl indicated in Lv01-11.
NOTE:
Rashi's literal language is "IN THE TEMPLE COURTYARD"
However we believe he used the method of REFERENCES
as indicated above to infer this.
Lv01-05c NONVERSE-fillin
########################################################
Note the EMPHASIZED list of procedures in verse
Lv01-04:05, describing ELEVATION offering states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And he shall **slaughter** the bullock before HaShem;
- and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall **bring near** the blood,
- and **throw** the blood round about against the altar that is at the door of
the tent of meeting.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
Three procedures are described indicated by the EMPHASIZED WORDS
- **slaughter** [done on the north side of altar (Lv01-11)]
- **bring** the blood near
- **throw** the blood
The BRINGING of the blood, takes place
- -from the north side where it is slaughtered
- -to the place where it is thrown
requires RECEIVING the blood (in a temple utensil).
The received blood in the Temple utensil is then THROWN
NOTE:
A punchy way of understanding Rashi is to translate BRING THE BLOOD
as RECEIVE-BRING the blood.
Lv01-05c ALIGNMENT-nuance
########################################################
Lv01-02:05 has a shift in the SUBJECT as indicated by the ALIGNMENT below
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Speak to the JEWS
- ..if they wish to offer a sacrifice
- ..(HE) brings it to the Temple door
- ..(HE) leans on the sacrifice
- ..(HE) slaughters the sacrifice
- ..THE PRIESTS bring-receive the blood
- ..THEY thrown it around the altar
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
The ALIGNMNET of CAPPED words suggests
- OWNERS do leaning and slaughtering
- PRIESTS do bring-receipt and throwing of blood
Nu08-02b Ex27-20c Lv24-03b ALIGNMENT-nuance
########################################################
Note the ALIGNMENT in the following verses
Different words - UP A FLAME, UP TO CANDELLABRAH,
ESTIMATE - are used to indicated the lighting of
the candellabrah These phrases are EMPHASIZED
Ex27-20c
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And thou shalt command the children of Israel,
- that they bring unto thee PURE olive oil beaten for the light,
- to UP A FLAME continually.
- ....Aaron and his sons shall ESTIMATE it in order,
- to burn from evening to morning before HaShem;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Lv24-03b
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Command the children of Israel,
- that they bring unto thee PURE olive oil beaten for the light,
- to UP A FLAME continually.
- Aaron shall ESTIMATE it from evening to morning before HaShem continually;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu08-02b
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him:
- When YOU UP TO the flames, the seven flames shall light towards the face of the
candellabrah
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Several inferences can be made from the multiple ALIGNMENTS indicated above.
1st note the language
- PURE olive oil to UP A FLAME
- ESTIMATE IT (the Candellabrah lighting) for EVENING TO MORNING
Hence we infer
- "UP a flame" means that once initially lit the flame burns by itself
without a need to relight
- "ESTIMATE from evening to morning" means that the flame (which goes by itself)
should have sufficient oil to burn the whole night from EVENING to MORNING
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
It would be silly to think that Rashi is making the derivation ONLY from the
- a) word UP. Rather the explicit statements / requirements of
- b) PURE olive oil
- c) ESTIMATE it for the whole night
also implies that the oil should be such that once lit it burns by itself
without a need of rekindling. In other words the inference "once lit it need
not be rekindled" comes from 3 sources a) b) c) not just from one word UP.
This is the proper approach to Rashi--we combine a punchy word nuance, UP,
with explicit verses- "PURE olive oil" and "ESTIMATE it evening to morning"
NOTE:
Rashi cites the Talmud that a LOG of oil (the volume of 6 eggfuls of oil)
is sufficient for the lamps to burn all night even in the winter nights.
This quantity was of course not derived from the verse. Rather from time
to time Rashi adds supplementary halachic material not in the verse.
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2ndly note the ALIGNMNET
- UP the flame
- UP TO the flames
(We translate the Hebrew ALEPH-TAUV (ETH) as meaning TO)
Hence we interpret
- UP means to LIGHT
- UP TO means to GO UP ON STEPS to light the candellabrah flames.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
There are several words for STEPS in Hebrew. One of them
is UPS (Mem-Ayin-Lamed-Tauv).
NOTE:
The idea that
- UP TO (UP ETH) THE CANDELLABRAH has a different meaning than
- UP THE FLAMES
is consistent with the GRAMMAR-conjugation(root+preposition) method
which asserts that a Biblical root can have different meanings
depending on the connecting preposition. So here
- without a connecting preposition UP means LIGHT
- with a connecting preposition UP TO means GO UP BY STEPS
Nu08-02d Ex25-37b NONVERSE-diagram
########################################################
In the verses below note the various phrases
describing HOW the Candellabrah should be lit.
These phrases can be clarified by a DIAGRAM, presented below
Nu08-02d states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him:
- When YOU UP TO the flames,
- the seven flames shall light **towards the face** of the candellabrah
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ex25-37 states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And thou shalt make the lamps thereof, seven;
- and they shall light the lamps thereof,
- to light the **side of its face**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We explain the emphasized phrases
- TOWARDS THE FACE
- TO THE SIDE OF ITS FACE
The diagram below illustrates this explanation
- There were 7 lamps
- a central lamp
- 3 lamps on the left
- 3 lamps on the right
- The wicks on the left and right tilted towards the central shaft
DIAGRAM: TOP OF MENORAH
/ / / | \ \ \
/ / / | \ \ \
--- ----- ----- --------- ----- ---- ----
END OF DIAGRAM:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
- Rashi in Nu seems to say that WICKS were tilted towards the central shaft
- Rashi in Ex seems to say that the LAMP HOLDERS themselves were tilted
Without getting into the actual law the simple meaning of the text seems
to imply that it was the wicks that were tilted. This also follows from
Rashi's symbolic interpretation (See the NOTE below)
NOTE:
Technically Rashi is interpreting an IDIOM so we can suffice with the
above explanation. However Rashi notes that "The central shaft is called
the candellabrah proper while the auxilliary shafts are called lamps". This
would be consistent with interpreting "towards its FACE" as meaning
towards its CENTRAL SHAFT
NOTE:
Rashi gives SYMBOLIC interpretation to the above law
The wicks were pointed to the central shaft to show that
God does not need our light."
I would interpret this as follows
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It might be thought that the Candellabrah was a utensil to
give light while the priests worked in the Temple. To negate
this assumption the wicks pointed to the central wick. This
emphasized that the Candellabrah had SYMBOLIC meaning. Since
- the Candellabrah symbolizes knowledge
- the 7 wicks symbolize 7 branches of knowledge
(not necessarily exactly 7 but many
branches of knowledge).
- The central wick would SYMBOLIZE the central knowledge of Torah
the central part of our life. The fact that
- the other wicks point to the central wick symbolizes that
- all branches of knowledge must be made secondary and
subservient to our committment to Torah."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The above explanation is due to Rav Hirsch.
Nu08-26a REFERENCE-details
########################################################
Nu08-26a discussing over-age-50, retired Levites, states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- but they shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting,
- to KEEP THE CHARGE,
- but they shall do no manner of service. ....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The meaning and details of the EMPHASIZED phrase KEEP THE CHARGE
can be inferred from the parallel passage in the verses below.
We have EMPHASIZED the words indicating the various Levite tasks
Nu01-49:53
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Howbeit the tribe of Levi thou shalt not number, ....
- but appoint thou the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony,
- and over all the furniture thereof, and over all that belongeth to it;
- they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the furniture thereof; and they shall
minister unto it,
- and shall ENCAMP round about the tabernacle.
- And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall DISMANTLE; and
- when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall ERECT IT; ....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In other words the 50+ Levites shall be involved in
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- erecting and dismantling the Temple
- guarding the furniture
- camping surrounding the Temple
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu09-06a Nu27-02b FORMAT-climax FORMAT-bullet
########################################################
BACKGROUND:
Recall that initially
- All court cases and questions came to Moses
Ex18-13
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people;
and the people stood about Moses from the morning unto the evening.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Moses then created a HIERARCHICAL court system
- - Minor questions were addressed to lower judges
- - Major questions were addressed to him
(Ex18-26) And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they
brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now let us examine the following two verses with emphasis
on the ordering of the people mentioned
Nu09-06a discussing the people who could not offer the Passover Sacrifice states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
But there were certain men, who were unclean by the dead body of a man, so that
they could not keep the passover on that day; and they came
- BEFORE Moses and
- BEFORE Aaron
on that day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu27-02b discussing the daughters of Slafchad states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And they stood
- BEFORE Moses, and
- BEFORE Eleazar the priest, and
- BEFORE the princes and all the congregation,
at the door of the tent of meeting, saying:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 comments are in order
1st: Note the anti-climactic order
- Moses (Aaron) Elazar Princes
The order should be reversed
- Princes are asked first, then Elazar and then Moses
This suggests that they were Sitting together in the Lecture hall (from
which Moses taught the people). MOses sat and lectured with Elazar and
the princes on his side. Consequently the ORDER, MOSES-AARON-ELAZAR-PRINCES
indicates the order of Judge importance on the court bench.
2nd: Note the repeating keyword BEFORE.
The repeating keyword BEFORE creates a BULLET
effect with special emphasis. This suggests that
- they indeed asked their question first to the princes
- then to Elazar/Aaron
- then to Moses
So we have two CONTRADICTORY EXEGESII:
- They asked everybody simultaneously in the Lecture hall
- They asked each person separately.
We can combine both exegetical points as follows:
- 1st the girls/unclean men asked the lower courts (Aaron/Elazar)
- When they didn't know they asked Moses (Higher courts)
- When Moses didn't know they came to Moses while lecturing
on revealed law with Aaron and the princes on his side and reasked
the question so that Moses could ask God (Which is in fact what happened)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
It is instructive to compare the two Rashi comments on Nu27-02 vs Nu09-06
- On Nu09-06 Rashi simply says "They asked in the Lecture hall"
- On Nu27-02 Rashi cites two opinions "a) They asked each separately;
b) They asked in the lecture Hall
It would APPEAR that there is controversy here.
My approach is to see the controversy to be supplemental commentary
on TWO exegetical points
- the opinion that they asked each separately is noting the REPEATING
BULLET words (BEFORE)
- the opinion that they asked before the LECTURE Hall is noting
the anti-climactic order
Since there are two exegetical points I interpret the two opinions
as two true supplementary comments rather than as a controversy on
one exegetical point. One opinion comments on the anti-CLIMACic order
while the other opinion comments on the BULLET effect.
This is an exemplary method by which to approach Rashi.
Nu09-15a Ex38-21c REFERENCE-meaning
########################################################
The Bible refers to the wilderness TEMPLE in several ways
The words denoting the TEMPLE are EMPHASIZED in the verses
below. (Throughout I have retranslated TABERNACLE as TEMPLE)
I first give the SUMMARY and then present the various verse texts
supporting this summary
SUMMARY:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Temple stored the ark which contained the 10 commandments which
are called WITNESS (Since they witness the relationship of God and Israel)
The Temple Ark had the Kerubim where God spoke to Moses
The Temple is therefore called
- Temple/Tabernacle
- Temple of WITNESS
- Tent of WITNESS
- Meeting Tent
- Tent
All these terms mean the same thing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ex38-21c - the TEMPLE of WITNESS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- These are the accounts of the
- TABERNACLE, even
- the TABERNACLE of WITNESS, as they were rendered according to the commandment
of Moses, through the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of
Aaron the priest.--
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu09-15a - The TEMPLE, for TENTING the WITNESS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And on the day that the TABERNACLE was reared up the cloud covered the
- TABERNACLE for a TENTING of the WITNESS
- even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until
morning.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu07-89 - The MEETING TENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And when Moses went into the TENT OF MEETING that He might speak with him, then
he heard the Voice - speaking unto him from above the ark-cover that was upon the
ark of the testimony, from between the two - cherubim; and He spoke unto him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ex40-34:36 - TEMPLE, TABERNACLE, MEETING TENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Then the cloud covered the TENT OF MEETING, and the glory of HaShem filled the
TABERNACLE.
- And Moses was not able to enter into the TENT OF MEETING, because the cloud
abode thereon, and the glory - of HaShem filled the TABERNACLE.--
- And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the TABERNACLE, the children of
Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All these terms mean the same thing. Rashi clarifies
the meaning of MEETING TENT and WITNESS using cross-references
Ex25-16 states that The ARK contained the WITNESS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And thou shalt put into the ark the WITNESS which I shall give thee.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt10-04:05 states The ARK contains the 2 tablets with the 10 commandments
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And He wrote on the tables according to the first writing, the TEN
COMMANDMENTS, which HaShem spoke unto you in the mount out of the midst of the
fire in the day of the assembly; and HaShem gave them unto me.
And I turned and came down from the mount, and put the TABLETS in the ARK which I
had made; and there they are, as HaShem commanded me.--
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Verse Nu07-89 cited above or Ex25-21:22 shows that God prophetically MET Moses
in the MEETING Tent
Nu10-02d FORMAT-bullet
########################################################
Nu1-02d discussing the trumpets Moses made states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-Make thee two trumpets of silver; of beaten work shalt thou make them; and they
shall be unto thee
- FOR the CALLING THE CONGREGATION, and
- FOR causing the camps to set forward.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The repeating emphasized keyword FOR creates a BULLET effect.
The BULLET effect gives distinct emphasis to each clause.
- The trumpets could inform the nation of an impending move
- OR the trumpets could be used to gather the High court or nation
to inform them of some new revelation of God.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
Rashi's point is to show how each BULLET item has its own
distinctness and life. The BULLETS are indicated by
REPEATING KEYWORDS
Nu10-25a CONTRADICTION-2aspects
########################################################
BACKGROUND
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu02 describes the CAMPINGS of the Jewish people
- They camped in a square with the Temple at the center
- The square had 4 sides--East, South....
- There were 3 tribes per side
- There was a tribal sequence: Judah, Issachar, Zevulun
Nu10 describes the JOURNEYINGS of the Jewish people.
The tribes journeyed in the following sequence: Judah, Issachar, Zevulun
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see that both
- the CAMPINGS and
- the JOURNEYINGS
involved the same SEQUENCE of TRIBES: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun,..Reuben...
The following two verses however CONTRADICT each other
Nu02-17 discussing the CAMPINGS states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-...as they encamp, so shall they Journey, every man in his place, by their
standards.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu12-25 discussing the place of DAN in the JOURNEYS states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-- And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan,
which was the GATHERER OF ALL THE CAMPS....
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rashi explains the EMPHASIZED PHRASE "GATHERER OF ALL THE CAMPS" to mean
that since DAN journeyed last when they broke camp Dan GATHERED all lost
objects and returned them to the people.
Hence
- Since DAN gathered lost objects this suggests that the Jews travelled in
a LINEAR fashion (So the person in back could pick everything up)
- But since the JOURNEYS and CAMPINGS were the SAME it might be argued that
they JOURNEYED in a SQUARE the same way they camped
We see the CONTRADICTION: Which is it? Did they JOURNEY in a LINEAR
or SQuARE fashion? If they journeyed in a LINEAR fashion how were there
CAMPINGS and JOURNEYINGS the same? If they camped in a square fashion
how did DAN "Gather all the camps(return lost articles)"
Rashi simply cites the two contradictory opinions but does not
resolve them. I would argue that we can resolve them using the 2
aspects approach:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- They CAMPED in a SQUARE
- They JOURNEYED in a LINE
- The LINEAR journey enabled Dan to gather all lost objects
- The phrase "AS THEY ENCAMPED SO THEY JOURNEYED"
- - refers to the SEQUENCE ASPEcT of the CAMP
- - does not refer to the SHAPE ASPECT (square) of the camp.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In other words the verse AS THEY ENCAMPED SO THEY JOURNEYED
refers to tribal SEQUENCE, which was the same for the journeys,
but not to the SHAPE which was different for Journeys and Campings.
Nu10-29b CONTRADICTION-2stages
########################################################
The following two verses seem to contain CONTRADiCTORY
information about whether Moses would enter Israel.
Nu10-29b 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.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu20-12 discussing the punishment at the waters of Merivah states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And HaShem said unto Moses and Aaron: 'Because ye believed not in Me, to
sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore YOU shall not bring
this assembly into the land which I have given them.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see the CONTRADICTION: Which is it?
- Is Moses and the nation (WE) coming to the land of Israel OR
- Is Moses NOT coming to Israel
Rashi resolves this using the principle of stages
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- initially BOth Moses and the Jews were suppose to come to Israel
- However AFTER Moses and the Jews sinned and they were barred from coming to
Israel
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
Rashi makes further comments along these lines. Initially it was a 3 day
journey to get into Israel. But God punished the Jews and it took them
40 years to come to Israel.
Nu10-32a REFERENCE-details
########################################################
Nu10-32a presenting a discussion between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro,
where Moses tried to pursuade Jethro to come to the land of Israel, states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what GOOD soever
HaShem shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rashi uses a REFERENCE to clarify the GOOD that they did to Jethro
Ju01-16 states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father-in-law, went up from the CITY OF
PALM TREES...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt34-03 discussing Moses' vision of Israel states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- and the South, and the Plain, even the valley of **Jericho the city of palm-
trees,** as far as Zoar.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
The Jews gave Jethro the PALM-TREE suburb of Jericho
NOTE:
Rashi gives further details which can not be derived textually but are known by
TRADITION -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
There was a 500 x 500 plot of good land in Jericho known as the city of palm
trees. Israel could not be given to non-Jews. Presumably this was a good cut of land and
they left it for whomever built the Temple. In the meantime (till the Temple was
built) they gave it to Jethro.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu10-33b CONTRADICTION-2aspects
########################################################
The following two verses contain CONTRADICTORY information
on where the ARK was during the Journeys in the desert.
Nu10-33b discussing the Journeys of the Jews states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And they set forward from the mount of HaShem three days' journey; and the ARK
of the covenant of HaShem went before them three days' journey, to seek out a
resting-place for them.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu10-17 also discussing the Journeys of the Jews states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And the tabernacle was DISMANTLED; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of
Merari, who bore the tabernacle, set forward.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see the CONTRADICTION. Which is it? Was the ARK dismantled and carried by
Gershon/Merari? Or, was the ARK journeying in front of the camp?
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We resolve the CONTRADICTION by using the two aspects method. There were 2 arks!
- There was an ARK in the TEMPLE that contained the 2nd set of 10 commandments
- There was an WAR-ARK with which the Jews went to war which contained the
the broken chips of the 1st set of 10 commandments (Also See 1S04-03).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu10-35c Nu10-35d FORMAT-paragraph
########################################################
Nu10-35 discussing Moses' prayer when the Jews journeyed states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said:
- - 'Rise up, O HaShem, and
- - let Thine ENEMIES SCATTER; and
- - let Thine HATERS FLEE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The parallel structure creates a BULLET atmosphere.
The BULLET atmosphere creates a distinct and separate
emphasis on each listed item
- The INTERNAL enemies should scatter
- the EXTERNAL haters/pursuers should flee.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu13-31a REFERENCE-details
########################################################
Nu13-31a discussing the slander of the spies when they returned states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- But the men that went up with him said: 'We are not able to go up against the
people; for **they are stronger than we.**
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rashi illumines this verse by referencing
Nu13-09 also discussing the slander of the spies
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-**Only rebel not against HaShem**, neither fear ye the people of the land; for
they are bread for us; their defence is removed from over them, and HaShem is
with us; fear them not.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
When the spies said THEY ARE STRONGER THAN US they were also implying
that the CANAANITES were STRONGER THAN GOD whom they thought could not
defeat them.
Nu09-15b GRAMMAR-conjugation(tenses)
########################################################
Nu09-15 discussing the CLOUD of GLORY which stayed with the Jews states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the
children of Israel journeyed; and in the place **where the cloud abides**, there
the children of Israel encamped.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BACKGROUND:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To clarify this Rashi I use a technique of Gary Long who
teaches Grammar using parallelisms in other languages.
Recall that in English there are various types of PRESENT tenses
- I am EATING an apple (Simple present)
- I EAT an apple every day (Habitual present)
- EATING an apple every day keeps the doctor away (Informational present)
Every language has methods to indicate the various types of present. Here it
is important to distinguish between MEANING (simple,habitual present etc) and
FORM (AM EATING, EAT etc). We can now understand the Rashi
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The phrase WHERE THE CLOUD ABIDES indicates a HABITUAL PRESENT (Wherever it
abides the Jews camped). In Biblical Hebrew the future conjugation can be used to
indicate a habitual present meaning.
In other words the PREFIX YUD prior to the VERB TO BE (Yud--Hey-Yud-Hey--YIHYEH)
could indicate a meaning of the FUTURE (WHERE THE CLOUD WILL ABODE). It can also indicate
the HABITUAL PRESENT (WHEREVER THE CLOUD ABIDES THERE....)
Thus the same conjugation (YUD + ROOT) can indicate
- future (WILL ABODE)
- habitual present (WHERE it ABIDES)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
There are futher grammatical technicalities here which we need not get into.
First the sentence is conditional (WHERE it abides THERE the Jews camped). Second
we are really talking about a HABITUAL PRESENT in the past. But our main point is
that the future conjugation (YUD+ROOT) can indicate a FUTURE MEANING (WILL) or
HABITUAL PRESENT (WHERE IT ABIDES--THERE THEY CAMP).
Nu16-01e REFERENCE-detail
########################################################
Nu16-01 discussing the Korach rebellion states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now
- (1) Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with
- (2) Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and
- (3) On, the son of Peleth,
- sons of Reuben,
took men;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The verse explicitly identifies ON as coming from the tribe of Reuben
By REFERENCING Nu26-05:09 we see that Datan and Aviram were also
REUBENITES. Clearly however Korach, a LEVITE was not a REUBENITE. Thus
we clarify that items (2) and (3) above are "sons of Reuben."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu16-05a NONVERSE-fillin
########################################################
Nu16-05 discussing Moses' response to the Korach
rebellion states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying: 'In the MORNING
HaShem will show who are His, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near
unto Him; even him whom He may choose will He cause to come near unto Him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Moses delayed final determination till MORNING in order to give Korach
time to think about what he was doing. Maybe Korach had bad advice. May he was
drunk.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
Is01-21 discussing the greatness of Jerusalem states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- How is the faithful city become a harlot! She that was full of justice, **
right inned overnight in her,** but now she has murderers.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This verse is used by the Talmud to show that in capital cases the court should
deliberate for at least one night before convicting. This verse
is consistent with Moses' waiting till morning.
Nu16-05b Nu16-05c FORMAT-bullet
########################################################
Nu16-05 discussing the Korach rebellion states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-- And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying:
- 'In the MORNING HaShem will show
- WHO are His, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto Him;
- and WHOM He may choose will He cause to come near unto Him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Note the repeating keywords (WHO/WHOM in English, ETH in Hebrew):
This creates a bullet atmosphere. Rashi therefore gives distinctness
to each bullet item.
- WHO ARE HIS WHO IS HOLY--refers to the LEVITES
- WHOM HE CHOSES ----------refers tot he PRIESTHOOD
NOTE:
The only source of contention was the PRIESTHOOD. Korach was already
a Levite. Why then did Moses mention that God would confirm who is a
Levite. I think the overall idea of the paragraph is that Moses used
a concilliatory non confrontational approach
- he waited till morning-let Korach think about it--maybe he is drunk
- he confirmed that he is still a Levite (Appreciate the good)
- he firmly stated that Korach was not a priest
Nu16-12a NONVERSE-fillin
########################################################
Nu16-12a discussing Moses response to the Korach rebellion states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; and they said: 'We
will not come up;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The non-verse method allows
- algebraic
- diagrammatic
- logical and
- moral
inferences and clarifications to verses.
Moses was the leader and yet he offered to meet with Datan and Aviram
who were rebelling. This shows that to avoid strife it is honorable for
a leader to initiate a meeting with those beneath him.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu16-12b ALIGNMENT-nuances
########################################################
Notice the emphasized words used to indicate GOING TO MOSES in the
following two verses.
Nu16-12b discussing Datan/Aviram's response to Moses invitation
to talk things over regarding their rebellion, states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram,
the sons of Eliab; and they said:
We will not COME UP ;
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ex33-07 discussing religious inquiries to Moses states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-Now Moses used to take the tent and to pitch it without the camp, afar off from
the camp; and he called it The tent of meeting. And it came to pass, that every
one that sought HaShem WENT OUT unto the tent of meeting, which was without the
camp.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We see the contrast
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Ordindary people GO OUT to Moses
- Datan/Aviram spoke about GOING UP to Moses.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rashi:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A psychologically healthy person views Societal positions as a SHARED
relationship. Different people occupy different positions. Some have more
authority than others but the community works as a TEAM and SHARES
responsibility.
A paranoic mistrustful person exaggerates societal differences - the mistrustful
person thinks (s)he is being picked on. The other person is UP
while I am DOWN. Alternative formulations focus on the lack of self-esteem
and the self-perception of lowness instead of being aware of one's
accomplishments.
Applying these principles to this case we see that Datan/Aviram see
Moses as UP DESPITE the fact that Moses invited them for a face-to-face
chat (as equals) about the rebellion. Datan/Aviram see themselves as
downtrodden; they have no self-esteem.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NOTE:
Rashi's actual language is as follows:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They ruined themselves by admitting they will never go UP and it is
all DOWNHILL for them.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Comparing our explanation with Rashi's literal explanation we
see a great deal of commonality. Rashi emphasized word nuances
while we focused on the underlying psychological motivation.
Nu16-15a GRAMMAR-conjugation(root+preposition)
########################################################
Rashi enunciates the following principle of translation:
- BURN IN means ANGER at somebody
- BURN TO means PERSONAL PAIN and UPSET
Some examples are as follows:
BURN TO = UPSET
--------------
Gn04-06
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And HaShem said unto Cain: 'Why art you UPSET? and why is thy countenance fallen
(DEPRESSED)?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yn04-09
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And G-d said to Jonah: 'Art thou greatly UPSET for the gourd?' And he said: 'I
am greatly UPSET, even unto death.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BURN AT = WRATH
----------------
Ex32-11
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- And Moses besought HaShem his G-d, and said: 'HaShem, why doth Thy WRATH wax
hot against Thy people, that Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt
with great power and with a mighty hand?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu11-33
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-While the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the ANGER of
HaShem was kindled against the people, and HaShem smote the people with a very
great plague.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt31-17
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Then My ANGER shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them,
and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and
troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day: Are not these
evils come upon us because our G-d is not among us?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu16-17a REFERENCE-details
########################################################
Nu16-17a discussing the test of the true priesthood states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- and take ye every man his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and bring ye
before HaShem **every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire-pans;** you also and Aaron,
each his fire-pan.'
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI
-----
The 250 FIRE-PANS is computed as follows
- **every man his fire-pan** (Nu16-17) (one firepan per person)
- there were 250 men associated with Korach (Nu16-02)
NOTE:
Rashi uses a REFERENCE to confirm that there were 250
people associated with Korach.
Nu21-29b REFERENCE-details
########################################################
Nu21-29b makes reference to CHEMOSH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of CHEMOSH; he hath given his sons
as fugitives, and his daughters into captivity, unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rashi, using a REFERENCE, explains that CHEMOSH is the god of Moab
Ju11-24
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Wilt not thou possess that which CHEMOSH thy god giveth thee to possess? So
whomsoever HaShem our G-d hath dispossessed from before us, them will we possess.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu28-02a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(Consecutive paragraphs)
########################################################
The following are 3 consecutive Biblical paragraphs
beginning at Nu27.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-A- Nu27-12:14 - God decrees death on Moses
-B- Nu27-15:23 - Moses Requests God to appoint Successor - God does so
-C- Nu28-01:08 - God requests Moses to order daily sacrifices
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
RASHI:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Paragraph (A) **causes** paragraph (B) (Since Moses is dying
Moses seeks a successor)
Paragraphs (B) and (C) show a unified theme
- God appoints Joshua to succeed Moses
- God instructs Jews to Daily offer sacrifices
Here the point is that a Human leader will only do the
Jews good if they also seek God's leadership. A similar
theme is echoed in 1S08-01:09
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nu28-02b Nu28-02c Nu28-02d REFERENCE-meaning
########################################################
Nu28-02 discussing the DAILY OFFERING states
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Command the children of Israel, and say unto them:
- My BREAD/FOOD which
- is presented unto Me for OFFERINGS
- made by FIRE,
- of a sweet savour unto Me,
- shall ye observe to offer unto Me in its due season.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The three EMPHASIZED terms, OFFERINGS, FOOD, FIRE, clearly
all refer to sacrifices. Rashi explains their detailed
meaning by cross-REFERENCING the chapter on OFFERINGS,
Lv01-01:09 states
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-A- And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering;...
-B- And he shall kill the bullock before HaShem;
-C- and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall OFFER the blood,
-D- and dash the blood round about against the altar ...
-E- And he shall flay the burnt-offering,
-F- And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put FIRE upon the altar,...
-G- And Aaron's sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, and the head, and the
suet, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar;
-H- and the priest shall make the whole smoke on the altar, for a burnt-offering,
an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto HaShem.
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This suggests the correspondences
- OFFERING = BLOOD (C)
- FIRE = FIRE (F)
- BREAD/FOOD = ORGANS (G)
In other words while the terms OFFERING, MY FIRE, MY BREAD can all
generally refer to sacrifices they can also particularly refer to
the specific parts of the sacrifices as indicated above
NOTE:
Rashi also cites Lv03-16 in which the offered organs (G) are
explicitly called the BREAD OF THE FIRE
Lv03-16
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-And he shall present thereof his offering, even an offering made by fire unto
HaShem: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the
inwards, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the
loins, and the lobe above the liver, which he shall take away by the kidneys.
And the priest shall make them smoke upon the altar; it is the BREAD/FOOD of the
offering made by fire, for a sweet savour; all the fat is HaShem'S.
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Nu28-02f reference-citation
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Nu28-02 states
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- Command the children of Israel, and say unto them:
- My BREAD/FOOD which
- is presented unto Me for OFFERINGS
- made by FIRE,
- of a sweet savour unto Me,
- shall ye observe to offer unto Me in its DUE SEASON
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The EMPHASIZED phrase DUE SEASON
can be explained by a REFERENCE
Ex29-38:39 discussing the DAILY OFFERING states
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-Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar: two lambs of the first
year day by day continually.
The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer
at dusk.
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RASHI:
The SEASON of the DAILY OFFERING is twice a day every day.
Nu32-07a Hononyms
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The Hebrew root Nun-Aleph has a unified
meaning of RATTLING (Small movements about
a central location). This idea manifests itself
as follows
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- PLEASE - move a person a little from his position(RATTLE HIM)
- ANNUL OATHS - Move a person a little from their fixation (RATTLE the oath)
- DOUBT - Cast aspersions on ones beliefts (RATTLE their opinion)
- ROAST - Cooked over a RATTLING fire
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Hence Rashi translates
Nu32-07a
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And wherefore will ye RATTLE the heart of the children of Israel from going over
into the land which HaShem hath given them?
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NOTE:
The word Nun-Aleph is normally translated as TURN AWAY. But it is more precise
to see the translation as RATTLE--turn a little bit aside. Such a translation
is consistent with a unified approach to other Biblical occurrences of this root.
Nu32-13a GRAMMAR-conjugation (verb-noun)
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The verb TO WANDER someone means TO MAKE THEM INTO A
WANDERER. Here we convert the NOUN, WANDERER, into
the VERB, TO WANDER. Hence we translate
Nu32-13a
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-And HaShem'S anger was kindled against Israel, and He WANDERED THEM to and fro in
the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the
sight of HaShem, was consumed.
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Nu24-08c GRAMMAR-conjugation (verb-noun)
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The verb to BONE means to eat meat till only
the bone is left. I believe EAT TO THE BONE
is a well known ENGLISH IDIOM. Hence we translate
Nu24-08c
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-G-d who brought him forth out of Egypt is for him like the lofty horns of the
wild-ox; he shall EAT TO THE BONE his adversarial nations and pierce them
through with his arrows.
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Nu24-14b REFERENCE-detail
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Nu24-14b discussing Bilam's departing advice to Moab, who
hired him to weaken the Jews states
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-And now, behold, I go unto my people; come, and I will ADVISE what this people
shall do to thy people in the end of days.'
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FURTHER DETAILS are provided by the REFERENCE
Nu31-15:16 which discusses the aftermath of the war on Midyan
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-And Moses said unto them: 'Have ye saved all the women alive?
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the REVOLT OF BILAM, to
revolt so as to break faith with HaShem in the matter of Peor, and so the plague
was among the congregation of HaShem.
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Nu31-15:16 identifies BILAM's advise on using sinful woman as the cause
of the war with Midyan. Here the reference is to the seduction by
Midyanite women of Jewish men described in Nu25-01:08 which led to a plague
of punishment. Hence the
RASHI:
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- Apparently from Nu31-15:16 Bilam advised Midyan to send their women to seduce
Jewish men which led to God's wrath and a plague (Nu25-01:08). This was
classified as an act of war (Nu31-01:14) in which Bilam and several Midyanite
princes were killed. Bilam's statement I WILL ADVISE YOU (MOAB) WHAT THIS NATION
WILL DO TO YOU IN THE END refers to the war that was declared because MOAB-MIDYAN
followed Bilam's advice.
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NOTE:
Rashi suggests that
- the ADVICE refers to the advice to seduce the Jewish men
- WHAT THIS NATION WILL DO TO YOU refers to the Messianic era defeat
I however have interpreted
- ADVICE refers to the defeat in the WAR of retaliation for the seduction
- WHAT THIS NATION WILL DO TO YOU (AT THE END) refers both to the retaliation for
the current seduction as well as the defeat in the Messianic era.
There is no real difference between Rashi and me:
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- The simple meaning of the text is that Bilam is ADVISING on WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN
THE END
- This could equally refer to BOTH the Messianic era and the current situation
(war of retaliation for the seduction)
- The FACT that Bilam advised seduction is not inferred from here but rather from
the explicit statement in Nu31-15:16
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Nu25-06b REFERENCE-details
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Nu25-06b discussing the seduction of Jewish men by Midyan states
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- And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a
MIDIANITISH WOMAN in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation
of the children of Israel, while they were weeping at the door of the tent of
meeting.
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Rashi identifies this MIDIANITISH WOMAN by cross REFERENCING
Nu25-15
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- And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of
Zur; he was head of the people of a fathers' house in Midian.
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Nu28-03a FORMAT-bullets
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Note the repeating KEYWORDS -- TELL THEM -
Nu28-02:03
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- Command the children of Israel, and SAY UNTO THEM: My food which is presented
unto Me for offerings made by fire, of a sweet savour unto Me, shall ye observe
to offer unto Me in its due season.
- And thou shalt SAY UNTO THEM: This is the offering made by fire which ye shall
bring unto HaShem: he-lambs of the first year without blemish, two day by day,
for a continual burnt-offering.
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RASHI:
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The repeating keywords - TELL THEM - create a BULLET like atmosphere. The BULLET
like atmosphere creates EMPHASIS. Each BULLET item is distinct:
- TELL THE JEWS to create watches for the daily offerings and offer them
- TELL the COURTS/PRIESTS the requirements and details of the daily offerings.
In other words Rashi interprets the BULLETS - TELL THEM - to refer
- to the people who watch and prepare for the daily offering
- to the courts who administer the daily offerings.
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