EXAMPLE: Nu22-02a GRAMMAR-sentence(consecutive paragraphs)
Verse Nu21-32:35
describing
the conquest by Israel of the Emori and Og
states
And Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they took
the towns thereof, and drove out the Amorites that
were there.
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan;
and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he
and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
And HaShem said unto Moses: 'Fear him not; for
I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people,
and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst
unto Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.'
So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people,
until there was none left him remaining; and they possessed
his land.
Verse Nu22-02:03
describing
the fear that Balak, King of Moab, had
states
And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel
had done to the Amorites.
And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because
they were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because
of the children of Israel.
Rashi connects these 2 verse citations using the CONSECUTIVE
PARAGRAPH connection method of CAUSALITY. We summarize
the
Rashi comment below by interpolating the connective
word BECAUSE.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
BECAUSE of the defeat of these two kings, Balak
was very afaid.
EXAMPLE: Nu22-04c DATABASE-patterns
We ask the following DATABASE QUERY:
In the Bible what animals are used to symbolize
destruction?
The reader is encouraged to perform the DATABASE QUERY
using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine.
Many examples come from Gn49.
This DATABASE QUERY yields the following LIST.
Lions (e.g Gn49)
Wolves (Gn49)
Serpents (Gn49)
Bees/Wasps
Vulture
Ox
There are many more entries to the list. The appearance
of the OX on this list seems peculiar as OXEN are not
wild animals known for their hunting. Without using
Rashi the most reasonable explanation is that
Balak complained as follows
------------------------------------------------------------
The Jews aren't a military people. Their goals are
not conquest.
But they are like an OX plowing a field. The OX is
not trying to
destroy anything but must consume much pasture to do
a days work.
So too the Jews are not trying to destroy anything.
But to achieve
their goal of transporting several million people to
Israel they
must consume many nations in their path. I am worried
I will be
consumed also.
------------------------------------------------------------
Rashi literally says:
---------------------------------------------
All that the Ox licks does not have blessing.
---------------------------------------------
I have interpreted this to mean that
---------------------------------------------
While the ox is not a viscious animal it must
consume alot to do a days work
---------------------------------------------
In light of the DATABASE query above I think this
a reasonable interpretation of Rashi's intent.
I think the philosophical intent is that
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Although the Jews are not viscious, nevertheless,
to get to Israel they must consume alot, similarly
to a tamed OX consuming much pasture to do a days work.
EXAMPLE: Nu22-05a MEANINGS-synechdoche
Verse Nu22-05a
describing
the delegation sent to Bilam to curse the Jewish
people
states
And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor,
to PETHOR, which is by the River, to the land of
the children of his people, to call him, saying:
Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold,
they cover the face of the earth, and they abide
over against me.
The root PAY-TAUV-RESH means DREAM INTERPRETATION
Rashi paraphrased explains that
-----------------------------------------------------
Bilam lived in PETHOR conveniently located on the River.
Governments would send questions of foreign policy
to him (Similar to people coming to a money exchanger
when they wanted to enter a foreign country). Undoubtedly
the city originally had some other name but becamed
nicknamed, INTERPRETATIONS, because of the frequent
requests to Bilam. The Hebrew root for dream interpretation
is PAY-TAUV-RESH and hence the Hebrew name of the city
is PeThoRaH
------------------------------------------------------
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Many governments sought INTERPRETATIVE (PAY TAUV
RESH) advice from Bilam. Hence his city was nicknamed
INTERPRETATION (PETHORAH).
EXAMPLE Nu22-05b DATABASE-patterns
We ask the following DATABASE QUERY:
How does the Bible view national sexual sins.
The reader is encouraged to perform the DATABASE QUERY
using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine.
Many examples come from Gn
This DATABASE QUERY yields the following LIST.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Event Destroyed Sexual Sin
----------- --------- ------------------------------------------
Noah Flood People destroyed the NATURAL
WAY
Sedom Fire Attempted herd rape of two
men
Dinah War City cover uped the rape of
Dinah
Givah Civil War City heard raped a concubine
till death
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Bilam/Moab War Bilam advised sending women
to seduce Jews
----------------------------------------------------------------
The clarify the content of the last line of this list
we read
Verse Nu22-05
describing
the request by Moab, to a dream interpreter, Bilam,
to curse the Jewish people
which states
And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor,
to PETHOR, which is by the River, to the land of
the children of his people, to call him, saying:
Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold,
they cover the face of the earth, and they abide
over against me.
Thus we explicitly see that Bilam's advice was sought.
From the end of the incident and from the subsequent
declaration of War we see that Bilam advised Moab to
send their woman to seduce the Jews which resulted
in a plague of 24,000.
Rashi comments on the contrast
- Typically, the people sin and God thru prophets destroy
the city
- But Bilam, used dream interpretation to encourage
excess sex.
Rashi further points out
-----------------------------------------------------------
God gave the non-Jews a chance by giving them a great
dream-interpreter, Bilam. In the end however, Bilam
contradicted a fundamental professional standard of
prophets: apposition to excess sexual sin. Such abberations
justify God not giving prophets to the non-Jews.
-----------------------------------------------------------
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
God destroys / prophets warn cities with sexual
excesses (Noah, Sedom, Dinah, Givah) But Bilam encouraged
sexual seduction against the Jews.
EXAMPLE: Nu22-05c REFERENCE-details
Verse Nu22-05
describing
the request by the Moabite Government, to Bilam,
to curse the Jewish people
states
And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor,
to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the
children of his people, TO INVITE HIM, saying: 'Behold,
there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they
cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against
me.
Verse Nu22-17:18
describing
the honor Moab offered Bilam and Bilam's description
of what he was
rejecting
states
for I will promote thee unto very GREAT HONOR,
and whatsoever thou sayest unto me I will do; come
therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.' And
Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak:
If Balak would give me his house FULL OF SILVER AND
GOLD, I cannot go beyond the word of HaShem my G-d,
to do any thing, small or great.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Rashi illumines the capped words INVITE and HONOR
(Nu22-05,17) as meaning money, SILVER AND GOLD (Nu22-18).
NOTE: Rashi on Lv01-01a explains that the Hebrew root
CALL (KUPH-RESH-ALEPH) when combined with the connective
preposition TO (QRA-EL) means INVITE. This uses the
ROOT+PREPOSITION method.
EXAMPLE: Nu22-05e REFERENCE-details
Verse Nu22-05
describing
the request by the Moabite Government, to Bilam,
to curse the Jewish people
states
And he sent messengers unto Balaam the son of Beor,
to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the
children of his people, to invite him, saying: 'Behold,
there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, THEY
COVER THE FACE OF THE EARTH, and they abide over against
me.
Verses Nu21-32:35 and Nu22-02:03
describing
the conquest by the Jews of the Emori and og
states
And Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they took
the towns thereof, and drove out the Amorites that
were there.
And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan;
and Og the king of Bashan went out against them,
he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. ...So
they smote him, and his sons, and all his people,...
And Balak the son of Zippor SAW ALL THAT ISREAL
HAD DONE to the AMORITES. And Moab was sore
afraid of the people,
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Rashi illumines the capped words COVER THE FACE
OF THE EARTH (Nu22-05) as referring to the JEWISH CONQUEST
OF AMORI(Nu22-02) and OG(Nu21-32).
EXAMPLE Nu22-08a DATABASE-patterns
We ask the following DATABASE QUERY:
When or how does God prophesy to prophets.
The reader is encouraged to perform the DATABASE QUERY
using a standard Biblical Konnkordance or search engine.
This DATABASE QUERY yields the following LIST.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Event How/When Content of Prophecy / Dream
----------- --------- ------------------------------------------
Laban Night Don't bother Jacob
Avimelech Night Don't marry Sarah, Abraham's
wife
Solomon Night Solomon requests wisdom
Bilam Night Don't curse Jews
- - - - - - - - -
Moses All times General statement (See below)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Verses Nu22-08:10
describing
God's appearance to Bilam at night for prophetic
purposes, mentioned in the above table
states
And he said unto them: 'Lodge here this night,
and I will bring you back word, as HaShem may speak
unto me'; and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
And G-d came unto Balaam, and said: 'What men are these
with thee?'
And Balaam said unto G-d: 'Balak the son of Zippor,
king of Moab, hath sent unto me saying:
Verse Nu12-06:08
describing
the difference between Mosaic vs other prophecies,
alluded to in the above list (Last line)
states
- And He said: 'Hear now My words: if there be a prophet
among you, I HaShem do make Myself known unto
him in a VISION, I do speak with him in a DREAM.
- My servant Moses is not so; he is trusted in all
My house;
with him do I speak mouth to mouth, CLEARLY, and
NOT IN DARK SPEECHES; and the similitude of HaShem
doth he behold; wherefore then were ye not afraid
to speak against My servant, against Moses?'
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
(a) Non-Jewish prophets receive prophecy by NIGHT;
(b) Moses received prophecy while AWAKE.
EXAMPLE: Nu22-12a FORMAT-bullet
Verse Nu22-12a
describing
God's prohibition to Bilam to work with the Moabites,
seeking the Jews destruction,
states
And G-d said unto Balaam:
- THOU SHALT not go with them;
- THOU SHALT not curse the people; for they are blessed.'
The verse has a BULLETED structure indicated by the
REPEATING KEYWORD PHRASE, THOU SHALT.
The BULLETED structure requires a distinct emphasis
in each BULLETED item.
The Rashi comment is based on this distinct emphasis.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
(a) Do not go with Moab to curse the Jew, (b) Don't
curse the Jews yourself. The reason for this is THEY
ARE ALREADY BLESSED.
EXAMPLE: Nu24-05a Nu24-05b FORMAT-bullets
Verse Nu24-05a
describing
The beauty of the Jewish neighborhoods
states
How goodly are
- thy tents, O Jacob,
- thy dwellings, O Israel!
The verse has a BULLETED structure indicated by the
parallel grammatical alignment as shown above.
The BULLETED structure requires a distinct emphasis
in each BULLETED item.
The Rashi comment is based on this distinct emphasis.
Several possible interpretations are mentioned.
To fully appreciate the Rashi comments one should bear
in mind that
- Other Rashi comments point out that tribes with similar
characteristics (learning or sin) lived next to each
other - here Rashi praises Jewish NEIGHBORHOODS
- Other Rashi/Biblical comments show that Bilam advised
Moab to destroy the Jews by sending Moabite woman to
seduce them. Hence here, Rashi shows the contrastive
statement that TENT refers to TENTS with PRIVACY since
when couples or groups go camping, privacy typically
can become an issue. Undoubtedly Bilam then double-crossed
the Jews by suggesting that lack of privacy was a method
to accomplish seduction.
- Rashi Nu24-06d seems to support a deliberate pun
that the Jewish STAKED TENTS resemble STAKED ALOE trees.
Hence there is an emphasis on SPACE between the trees/tents
whose obvious purpose is privacy.
The multiplicity of Rashi interpretations may suggest
that there is no CORRECT or UNIQUE interpretation.
However we have frequently suggested that DELIBERATELY
AMBIGUOUS INTERPRETATIONS are welcome in poetry since
they simultaneously deliver multiple messages.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Jews are good in (a) PERSONAL DWELLINGS with emphasis
on privacy; (b) NEIGHBORHOODS with emphasis on similar
people living together.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Jewish Temples are good in (a) the Shiloh TENT (Jo18-01)
(b) The Givon TEMPLE (1C16-39)
EXAMPLE: Nu24-06b MEANING-homographs
The Hebrew root ALEPH-HAY-VAV can mean a) TENT and
b) ALOES (Trees that have the FORM of tents).
There are only a few verses where ALEPH-HAY-VAV can
mean ALOES: a) Nu24-06, b) Ps45-09,
c) Pr07-17, d) So04-14.
Finally we note the exquisite HOMOGRPAH pun.
Verses Nu24-05:06
describing
the beauty of Jewish TENTS (ALEPH HAY VAV) which
resemble garden ALOES (ALEPH HAY VAV)
states
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwellings,
O Israel! As valleys stretched out, as gardens by
the river-side; as aloes planted of HaShem, as cedars
beside the waters;
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The Hebrew root ALEPH-HAY-VAV can mean a) TENT and
b) ALOES (Trees that have the FORM of tents).
EXAMPLE: Nu24-06d Nu24-05a MEANING-figures of speech(puns)
The Hebrew root ALEPH-HAY-VAV can mean a) TENT and
b) ALOES (Trees that have the FORM of tents).
There are only a few verses where ALEPH-HAY-VAV can
mean ALOES: a) Nu24-06, b) Ps45-09,
c) Pr07-17, d) So04-14.
The Hebrew root NUN-TET-AYIN can mean a) to PLANT (plants,
trees) or b) to STAKE a tent. (Rashi cites Da11-45
as an example of using PLANT with TENTS).
Verses Nu24-05:06
describing
the beauty of Jewish PLANTED (NUN TET AYIN) TENTS(ALEPH
HAY VAV) which resemble PLANTED ALOES(ALEPH HAY LAMED)
states
How goodly are thy TENTS(ALEPH HAY LAMED), O Jacob,
thy dwellings, O Israel! As valleys stretched out,
as gardens by the river-side; as ALOES(ALEPH HAY LAMED)
PLANTED (/STAKED (NUN-TET-AYIIN)) of HaShem, as cedars
beside the waters;
Here Rashi notes the double pun
- ALEPH HAY LAMED = Tents = Aloe Trees
- NUN TET AYIN = Staked= Planted
This pun reinforces the Rashi interpretation on Nu24-05a
that the Jewish tents were known for their privacy.
Indeed, Aloe Gardens are known for the SPACE between
them. Extending this to the human sphere we have tents
with SPACE, obviously, for the purpose of PRIVACY.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Rashi notes the PUN: Jewish STAKED (Nun Tet Ayin)
TENTS (Aleph Hey Lamed) resemble PLANTED (Nun Tet Ayin)
ALOES (Aleph Hay Lamed).
EXAMPLE: Nu26-01a GRAMMAR-sentence(Consecutive sentences)
Verse Nu25-01:19
describing
the plague that God brought on the Jews for sexually
sinning with the Midianite women
states
...And those that died by the plague were twenty
and four thousand. ...
Verse Nu26-01:65
describing
the census God took of the Jewish people after
the plague
states
And it came to pass after the plague, [THAT] HaShem
spoke unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron
the priest, saying:Take the sum of all the congregation
of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and
upward, by their fathers' houses, all that are able
to go forth to war in Israel.' ...
Rashi connects these 2 verse citations using the CONSECUTIVE
PARAGRAPH connection method of CAUSALITY. We summarize
the
Rashi comment below by interpolating the connective
word THAT
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
BECAUSE of the loss of Jews in the plague (and BECAUSE
of God's love for the Jews), God ordered a census to
show appreciation for the remaining.
EXAMPLE: Nu27-07c FORMAT-repetition
Verse Nu27-07c
describing
God's response to the daughter's of Zelophehad
who wanted to inherit their father's property, the
issue being that their father had no sons,
states
THE DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD SPEAK RIGHT: thou shalt
GIVE GIVE them a possession of an inheritance among
their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance
of their father to pass unto them.
The CAPPED REPEATED WORDS from the verse, GIVE GIVE,
are the Biblical way of indicating emphasis. In modern
notation the word GIVE would be written with an underline
or CAP. Rashi clarifies the emphasis,
which is further indicated by the capped words, THE
DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD SPEAK RIGHT:
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
GIVE them ALL things related to inheritance (a)
GIVE them their father's estate (as they requested)
(b) GIVE them their portion due in Israel (All survivors
of Egypt received a portion in Isreal)
EXAMPLE: Nu28-14a FORMAT-repetition
Verse Nu28-14a
describing
the monthly offering (offered on the 1st of every
month)
states
And their drink-offerings shall be half a hin of
wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for
the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This
is the burnt-offering of every MONTH in its MONTH throughout
the MONTHS of the year.
The CAPPED REPEATED WORDS from the verse, MONTH MONTH,
are the Biblical way of indicating emphasis. In modern
notation the word MONTH would be written with an underline
or CAP. Rashi clarifies the emphasis.
Below, we have highlighted the Rashi comment by interpolating
the capped words indicating Rashi's comment.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
This is the burnt offering of every MONTH which
can ONLY BE OFFERED in ITS MONTH.
EXAMPLE: Nu28-02c Nu28-02d FORMAT-bullet
First some background. The word BREAD, when used in
the context of sacrifices, can either refer
- to the WHOLE sacrifice (e.g. Nu28-24)
- the MEAT of the sacrifice (e.g. Lv03-16, Lv03-10:11)
Verse Nu28-02c
describing
the requirement to offer a daily offering to God
states
Command the children of Israel, and say unto them:
- MY offering
- MY bread
made by fire, of a sweet savour unto Me, shall ye observe
to offer unto Me in its due season.
The verse has a BULLETED structure indicated by the
REPEATING KEYWORD WORD, MY.
The BULLETED structure requires a distinct emphasis
in each BULLETED item.
The Rashi comment is based on this distinct emphasis.
In attempting to uncover the distinctness Rashi is
aided by the following
Verse Dt12-28
describing
offerings in general
which states
And you shall offer your burnt offerings,
- the MEAT and
- the BLOOD,
upon the altar of the Lord your God; and
- the BLOOD of your sacrifices shall be poured out
upon the altar of the Lord your God, and
- you shall eat the MEAT.
This verse which also has a BULLETED structure clearly
indicates that every sacrifice
has two main parts offered on the altar
- the blood
- the meat (Which sometimes is offered up and sometimes
eaten by priests or owners)
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The daily offering consists of a) BREAD = OFFERING
MEAT, and b) OFFERING = BLOOD.
NOTE: We clarify the point of Rashi. The words BREAD
and OFFERING by themselves COULD refer to the totality
of the offering. However BECAUSE of the BULLETED structure
Rashi translates using their
specific meanings: BLOOD and MEAT.
EXAMPLE: Nu29-11c GRAMMAR-misc(pronoun)
Verse Nu29-11c
describing
the Yom Kippur offering states
states
- one he-goat for a sin-offering; beside
- the sin-offering of atonement, and
- the continual burnt-offering,
and
- ITS meal-offering thereof, and
- THEIR drink-offerings.
Notice the capped PRONOUNS, ITS and THEIR. There are
3 offerings mentioned. But
- the singular pronoun, ITS, is used by the meal-offering
- the plural pronoun, THEIR, is used by the drink offerings.
Rashi clarifies the referents
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The phrase ITS MEAL OFFERING refers to the immediately
preceding BURNT-OFFERING; the phrase THEIR DRINK-OFFERINGS
refers to the SIN-OFFERINGS.
EXAMPLE: Nu32-14a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(noun-verb)
Nouns can become verbs in 3 ways
- e.g. TO FLOWER (CREATE the noun)
- e.g. TO DUST (REMOVE the noun)
- e.g. TO HAMMER (USE the noun in its traditional manner)
Hence from the NOUN, END, we can coin the verb, TO
END AGAIN, or TO END ON, meaning, TO ADD JUST
ONE MORE and END IT. This translation fits the following
three verses where it occurs.
o Verse Nu32-14a
describing
the response by Moses to the request of 2.5 tribes
not to go to Israel but to inherit the conquered land
in the wilderness
states
- And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers' stead,
a brood of sinful men, with JUST ONE MORE, THIS IS
THE LAST TIME which will raise the fierce anger of
HaShem toward Israel.
o Verse Jr07-21:22
describing
the hypocritical use of sacrifices
states
Thus saith HaShem of hosts, the G-d of Israel:
Add ONLY ONE MORE burnt-offerings unto your sacrifices,
and eat ye flesh. For I spoke not unto your fathers,
nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out
of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or
sacrifices;
o Verse Is29-01
describing
the hypocritical use of sacrifices
states
- Woe, Ariel, Ariel [the Temple/altar], the city where
David encamped! "JUST ONE MORE YEAR" [to get rid of
the hypocrisy in the sacrifices] let the feasts come
round!
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The word END AGAIN (Nu32-14a) means TO ADD JUST
ONE MORE REQUEST (THE LAST ONE)
EXAMPLE: Nu32-16a ALIGNMENT-nuances
Note the difference in the following ALIGNED verses
Verse Nu32-16a
describing
the suggestion of the 2.5 tribes who did not want
to go to Israel to nevertheless fight with their brothers
and then return home
states
And they came near unto him, and said:
- 'We will build sheepfolds here for our SHEEP,
and
- cities for our INFANTS;
Verse Nu32-24
describing
Moses' response to their suggestion
states
- Build you cities for your INFANTS, and
- sheepfolds for your SHEEP; and do that which
hath proceeded out of your mouth.'
As can be seen
- the 2.5 tribes mentioned their SHEEP 1st and their
INFANTS 2nd
- Moses mentioned their INFANTS 1st and their sheep
2nd
This motivates the obvious Rashi comment.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The 2.5 tribes mentioned SHEEP 1st, INFANTS 2nd
showing a preference of business for family. In his
response Moses mentioned INFANTS 1st, SHEEP 2nd.
The word END AGAIN (Nu32-14a) means TO ADD JUST ONE
MORE REQUEST (THE LAST ONE)
EXAMPLE: Dt01-13g GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(puns)
Verse Dt01-13g
describing
the requirement to appoint judges
states
Get you, from each one of your tribes, wise men,
and understanding, and full of knowledge, and I will
PL_C_ THEM heads over you.'
The word PL_C_ is spelled deficiently and can therefore
be read as
- PLACE them, or
- PLUC them
This pun motivates a Rashi comment showing the responsibility
of rebuke that the Judges have.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The deficient spelling the Judges PLaCeD over you
will be PLuCeD from you if they don't rebuke you when
you misbehave.
EXAMPLE: Dt01-23b ALIGNMENT-meaning(from)
Note the difference in the following ALIGNED verses
Verse Dt01-23b
describing
Moses SELECTION of 12 spiesstates
- And the thing pleased me well;
- AND I TOOK FROM AMONG YOU
- twelve men of you,
- one man for every tribe;
Verse Dt01-14
describing
Moses' SELECTION of judges
states
- So I TOOK THE
- the heads of your tribes, wise men, and full
of knowledge, and made them heads over you, captains
of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains
of fifties, and captains of tens, and officers, tribe
by tribe.
Rashi distinguished between
- take FROM AMONG
- take THE
Rashi explains that TAKE FROM AMONG connotes a more
careful selection process, not a simple taking, but
rather taking from amongst the best.
The idea that FROM AMONGST connotes a more careful
selection process is powerfully used by the great Midrashic
commentator, the MALBIM, to carefully explain a variety
of detailed exegesii in the offering procedures.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Moses selected spies FROM AMONGST the choicest and
best.
EXAMPLE: Dt02-37b GRAMMAR-sentence(apposition)
Verse Dt02-37b
describing
the lands the Jews could not visit
states
- Only to the AMONITE LAND thou camest not near;
- ALL THE SIDE OF THE JABBOK RIVER
- and the HILL-COUNTRY CITIES
- and WHERESOEVER HASHEM OUR GOD FORBADE US
Rashi interprets the capped phrases as being in APPOSITION.
The rearranged equivalent verse is as follows
- Only to the
- - - AMONITE LAND
- - - ALL THE SIDE OF THE JABBOK RIVER
- - - and the HILL-COUNTRY CITIES
- - - and WHERESOEVER HASHEM OUR GOD FORBADE US
- thou camest not near.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
Only to the - a) AMONITE land, b) JABBOK RIVER SIDE,
c) HILL COUNTRY CITIES, d) WHAT GOD FORBADE US - thou
camest not near.
EXAMPLE: Dt02-37a Dt23-13a Nu02-17c MEANING-idiom
The word YUD-DALETH means HAND.
HAND as an IDIOM means NEAR, anything within a HANDS
REACH.
We give other examples and other Rashis below
o Verse Dt23-13a
describing
the requirement to have latrines in military camps
states
Thou shalt have WITHIN HANDS REACH without the
camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad ... when thou
sittest down abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and
shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee.
o Verse Nu02-17c
describing
the encampments of the Jews in the desert states
Then the tent of meeting, with the camp of the
Levites, shall set forward in the midst of the camps;
as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man
WITHIN HANDS REACH, by their standards.
The Rashi's on these three verses state the same thing.
However the Rashi on Nu02-17c is the most illuminating
-----------------------------------------------------------------
WITHIN HANDS REACH is an IDIOM connoting PLACE. However
it has an
added connotation of NEARBY PLACE or PLACE WITHIN HANDS
REACH
-----------------------------------------------------------------
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The word HAND can connote a NEARBY PLACE, WITHIN
HAND'S REACH.
EXAMPLE: Dt03-16a NONVERSE-diagram
Verse Dt03-16
describing
the land Moses gave the Reuven and Gad tribes
states
And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I
gave from Gilead even unto the valley of Arnon, the
middle of the valley for a border; even UNTO THE RIVER
JABBOK AND ITS BORDER of the children of Ammon;
Rashi DIAGRAMATICALLY clarifies the capped phrase RIVER
JABBOK AND ITS BORDER
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The phrase UNTO THE MIDDLE OF THE VALLEY AND THE
BORDER means unto the middle of the valley AND a little
bit of its land border
EXAMPLE: Dt03-18a REFERENCE-details
Verse Dt03-18a
describing
the deal with the Reuven-Gadites to fight with
the Jews for Israel, and then go return to the transjordan
states
And I commanded YOU at that time, saying: 'The
HaShem your G-d hath given you this land to possess
it; ye shall PASS OVER ARMED before our brethern the
children of Israel, all the men of valour.
Verse Nu32-25:27
describing
the deal with the Reuven-Gadites to fight with
the Jews for Israel, and then go return to the
states
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben
spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as
my lord commandeth. but thy servants will PASS OVER,
every man that is ARMED for war, before HaShem to battle,
as my lord saith.'
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The phrase I COMMANDED YOU (Dt03-18a) refers to
the REUVENITE,GADDITE and MENASSHITES who inherited
the transjordan (Nu32-25:27)
NOTE: Earlier in Dt03 the Bible uses the 3rd person
I GAVE THIS LAND TO THE REUVENITES AND GADDITES. Hence
the phrase I COMMANDED YOU in Dt03-18 is a shift from
third person to second person. (Up till Dt03-18 YOU
refers to the Jewish people in general). The justification
for interpreting YOU as referring to the REUVEN-GADDITES
comes from the CONTEXT of the verse. Both Dt03-18 and
Nu32-25:27 identically speak about people who will
PASS OVER ...TO BATTLE.
EXAMPLE: Dt03-18b ALIGNMENT-nuances
Note the capped differences in the following ALIGNED
verses
Verse Dt03-18b
describing
the suggestion of the 2.5 tribes who did not want
to go to Israel to nevertheless fight with their brothers
and then return home
states
And I commanded YOU at that time, saying: 'The
HaShem your G-d hath given you this land to possess
it; ye shall PASS OVER ARMED BEFORE YOUR BRETHREN he
children of Israel, all the military men.
Verse Nu32-25:27
describing
the deal with the Reuven-Gadites to fight with
the Jews for Israel, and then go return to the
states
And the children of Gad and the children of Reuben
spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Thy servants will do as
my lord commandeth. but thy servants will PASS OVER,
every man that is ARMED for war, BEFORE HASHEM to battle,
as my lord saith.'
As can be seen
- the deal between Moses and Gad-Reubenites was to
PASS OVER ARMED BEFORE HASHEM
- but in actuality the Gad-Reubenites PASSED OVER ARMED
BEFORE THEIR BRETHERN
That is they not only passed over but passed over first
before all others (PASSED OVER BEFORE BRETHERN). The
verse further adds that the GADDITES-REUBENITES were
ALL MILITARY MEN
This motivates the obvious Rashi comment.
QUICK SUMMARY:
Rashi paraphrased states:
The GAD-REUBENITES excelled militaryily (MILITARY
MEN cf. Dt33-20). They therefore passed over FIRST.
|