-----------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt05-06a IDIOM
-----------------------
The words ON THE FACE OF can refer to
----------------------------------------------------------------
- COVERING ALOT OF TERRITORY when used in conjunction with land
for example (On the face of the earth)
- DURING THE LIFETIME when used in conjunction with people
----------------------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt05-06a
describing
the prohibition of worshipping idols
states literally
--------------------------------------------------------
you shall not possess the gods of others ON MY FACE
--------------------------------------------------------
Using a proper translation of the IDIOM Rashi translates
-----------------------------------------------------------
you shall not possess the gods of other DURING MY LIFETIME
-----------------------------------------------------------
This IDIOMATIC USAGE (on the face of = during the lifetime)
occurs about half a dozen times in the Torah
------------------------------------------------------------
- Gn11-25 Haran died DURING THE LIFETIME of his father
- Ex20-03 no idolatry while DURING MY (GODS) LIFETIME
- Dt05-06 no idolatry while DURING MY (GODS) LIFETIME
- Nu03-04 Nadav/Avihu died DURING THEIR FATHER'S LIFETIME
- Dt21-16 He cant give promigeniture to another during life
of Hated wife
-----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt05-11a GRAMMAR-CONJUGATION-INFINITIVE
------------------------------------------------
The infinitive CONJUGATION can MEAN/REFER TO
--------------------------------------------------
- the infinitive
- a requirement of continuous ongoing activity
--------------------------------------------------
Here are some examples:
Verse Dt05-11a
describing
the Biblical commandment to observe the Sabbath
states
----------------------------------------------------------
BE CONTINUOUSLY INVOLVED in watching/guarding the Sabbath
----------------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt13-03
describing
the requirement to remember the Exodus
states
---------------------------------------------------
BE CONTINUOUSLY INVOLVED in remembering the Exodus
(Rashi: Remember every day)
---------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt16-01
describing
the requirement to watch the calendar year
states
------------------------------------------------
be INVOLVED IN WATCHING THE CALENDAR
(Rashi: Throughout the year check on the
need to intercalculate the calendar)
------------------------------------------------
An almost complete may be found by visiting URL
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h30n13.htm#LIST704b
The verses / Rashis listed there are
---------------------------------------------
Dt01-16a Ex13-03a Ex20-08a Nu06-23a Dt15-10a
Dt09-21a Dt03-06a Nu25-17a Dt16-01a Dt01-15c
Dt27-01a Ex18-22b Dt31-26a Dt05-11a
---------------------------------------------
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt05-14a DATABASE
--------------------------
We deal with the DATABASE QUERY
----------------------------------
Which commandments mention that they
should be observed because YOU ARE TO
REMEMBER THAT GOD TOOK YOU OUT OF EGYPT
----------------------------------
The query uncovers about a dozen such verses
--------------------------------------------
Dt15-15Dt05-15 Dt16-12 Dt24-1
Lv22-33 Lv11-45 Nu15-41 Ex29-46
Lv25-38 Lv19-36
---------------------------------------------
These verses seem to naturally group into
three categories.
-----------------------------------------------
- BE NICE TO SLAVES AND ORPHANS because God took you out
of Egypt where you were slaves and orphans (cf Dt15-15, Dt05-14a
Dt16-12, Dt24-18)
- SANCTIFY YOURSELVES by avoiding ritual impurity; Offer
sacrifices (for) God who took you out of the ritual impurity of Egypt
(cf Lv22-33, Lv11-45, Nu15-41, Ex29-46).
- AVOID ANXIETY PRODUCING BUSINESS PRACTICES (For) I took you
out of Egypt (where such practices were a routine method of
destroying personalities) (Cf Lv25-38 (Prohibition of Interest),
Lv19-36 (Requirement of honest weights))
---------------------------------------------------------------
As can be inferred these three practices
--------------------------------------------------------
- slavery
- continual exposure to dead bodies and ritual impurity
- anxiety producing business practices
--------------------------------------------------------
these three practices were hallmarks of the Egptian servitude
They were methods to destroy personality and individuality
until God had mercy and redeemed us from there.
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-17c DATABASE
--------------------------
We deal with the DATABASE QUERY
----------------------------------
When God decrees a punishment
how much lag time does God give
in order to give people time to repent.
----------------------------------
The query uncovers several examples as indicated below
-------------------------------------------------------
Destruction Verse Time Given to repent
---------------------- ------- ------------------------
Destruction of Flood Gn06-03 They were given 120 years
Destruction of Ninveh Yn03-04 40 days
Punish for non-observe Dt11-17 IMMEDIATELY
-------------------------------------------------------
Rashi explains the contrast between these examples
-------------------------------------------------------
- The generation of the flood and Ninveh did not have
leaders to learn moral behavior from; hence they were
given extra time to repent
The Jews had great leaders to learn from and hence
their punishment is immediate (No further time needed
to learn to repent)
-------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
EXAMPLE Dt05-17a: SYNONYMS
--------------------------
Two SYNONYMS for lusting / coveting an object
are the Biblical roots
--------------------------------------------------------
- Chet-Mem-Daleth which we would translate as PESTER
- Aleph-Vav-Hey which we would translate as BE OBSESSED.
--------------------------------------------------------
Using these two translations we translate as follows.
Verse Dt05-18a
discussing
the prohibition of BEING OBSESSED with acquiring objects
states
------------------------------------------------------------
Neither shalt thou PESTER [To obtain] thy neighbour's wife;
neither shalt thou BE OBSESSED [with obtaining] thy
neighbour's house, his field, or his man-servant,
or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or
any thing that is thy neighbour's.
------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The above translation is consistent with the law
(Rambam Chapter 1 Theft and Lost Articles)
There are two prohibitions
------------------------------------------------------
- A prohibition of pestering a person to sell someone
- A prohibition of personally being obsessed on how
to acquire an object.
------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-07d SYNONYMS
--------------------------
Verse Dt15-07d
discussing
the prohibition of witholding charity / loans from
a poor person
states
---------------------------------------------
If there be among you a needy man,
one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates,
in thy land which HaShem thy G-d giveth thee,
- THOU SHALL NOT be EMOTIONALLY SELF CONTAINED,
THOU SHALL NOT HURRY your hand
from thy needy brother;
---------------------------------------------
The Biblical roots used
--------------------------------------------
- Aleph-Mem-Tzade - Strong, Self-contained
- Kuph-Pay-Tzade - HURRY, LEAP
--------------------------------------------
have, very roughly, the meanings indicated.
In the CONTEXT of the verse these roots
have a general meaning of WITHOLDING charity.
Rashi re-interprets these two phrases as SYNONYMS
indicating WITHOLDING CHARITY
------------------------------------------------
- Aleph-Mem-Tzade - EMOTIONALLY SELF CONTAINED -
This refers to a person who GIVES NOTHING
Kuph-Pay-Tzade - HURRIED - This refers to
a person who gives but in a non-friendly manner
------------------------------------------------
Notes: It should be emphasized that there two roots
nowhere else in the Bible have a meaning of witholding
charity. In other words CONTEXT is the driving force
behind understanding these words as meaning ABSTAINING
FROM CHARITY. Because of the use of two roots Rashi
sees them as two SYNONYMS indicating two forms of
witholding.
We could have alternatively used the BULLET method
to derive this Rashi comment since the REPEATING
KEYWORD, THOU SHALL NOT indicates a parallel structure.
---------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt05-23a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(puns)
---------------------------------------------
Verse Dt05-24
discussing
the fright the Jews had of prophecy and the
request for Moses to be an intermediary between
them and God
states
------------------------------------------------------------
Go thou [m] near, and hear all that HaShem our G-d may say;
and thou [f] shalt speak unto us all that HaShem our G-d
may speak unto thee; and we will hear it and do it.'
------------------------------------------------------------
Recall, in Hebrew, unlike English, there are two distinct
words for "you"-one is used for males and one for females
Af the beginning of this verse the proper male "you" is
used. However in the middle of the verse Moses, a man, is
referred to as a female you.
This uses the technique call PUNS. PUNS are fully discussed
--------------------------------------------------------------
- in my article http://www.Rashiyomi.com/puns.pdf
- the list of puns at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h30n12.htm#LIST080a
--------------------------------------------------------------
As explained in my article
--------------------------------------------------------
A pun is a literary techique of distortion
of spoken or written texts to impart relevant secondary meaning
That is a pun is a deliberate distortion of pronunciation, grammar
and similar items in order to communicate a secondary
meaning in a sentence
--------------------------------------------------------
In this case the primary meaning of the verse is
------------------------------------------------
thou [Moses] shalt speak unto us all that HaShem our G-d
may speak unto thee;
------------------------------------------------
But by using the female thou we acquire a secondary Meaning
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rashi: I, Moses, became 'weak as a female' from this request
at the thought that you didn't want to speak to God directly
from Love but rather wanted me as an intermediary
-----------------------------------------------------------
We have used L Heller's 1974 classification of puns
Here the pun involves a distortion of GRAMMAR.
---------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt09-11a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(puns)
---------------------------------------------
Hebrew Grammar like other grammars allows the
use of PUNS to indicate meaning. As explained
in my article (reference below)
--------------------------------------------------------
A pun is a literary techique of distortion
of spoken or written texts to impart relevant secondary meaning
That is a pun is a deliberate distortion of pronunciation, grammar
and similar items in order to communicate a secondary
meaning in a sentence
--------------------------------------------------------
Some references on PUNS (articles, lists) may be found at
-----------------------------------------------------------------
- in my article http://www.Rashiyomi.com/puns.pdf
- the list of puns at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h30n12.htm#LIST080a
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rav Hirsch introduced the idea that
--------------------------------------------------------
A noun with several parts - e.g. tables, chairs,doorposts -
- can be spelled DEFICIENTLY (e.g. in English, TABL, CHAR, DORPOST)
indicating that not all parts are needed OR
can be spelled FULLY (e.g. in English, TABLE, CHAIR, DOORPOST)
indicating that ALL PARTS are needed
--------------------------------------------------------
A classical example would be the Biblical commandment
----------------------------------------------------
Dt06-09 And thou shalt write them upon the DORPOSTS
of thy house, and upon thy gates.
----------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments
----------------------------------------------------
Since the word DORPOSTS is spelled DEFICIENTLY (Without
two Os in DOOR) we infer that NOT ALL PARTS ARE NEEDED
That is, there is only a requirement to place the MEZUZAH
on ONE of the two doorposts
----------------------------------------------------
In a similar manner Dt09-11a talks about
---------------------------------------------------
the two TBLETS OF STONE (with the 10 commandments)
---------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments
-----------------------------------------------------
Since the word TBLETS is spelled DEFICIENTLY (Without
the extra E) we infer that NOT ALL PARTS (that is
NOT ALL TABLETS are needed). In other words, each
of the two tablets had complete copies of the 10
commandments (so BOTH PARTS / TABLETS were not
needed)
-----------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt07-02a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(Noun-verb)
-------------------------------------------------
Biblical Hebrew has a variety of techniques by
which to transform VERBS into NOUNS
-------------------------------------------------
- to FLOWER (to CREATE the noun, flower)
- to dust (to REMOVE the noun, dust)
- to hammer (to USE in the traditional way, the noun, hammer)
-------------------------------------------------
Based on this list we would derive a VERB "to grace" from
the adjective "Grace" which would mean
-------------------------------------------------------
to GRACE = to acknowledge/notice their GRACEFULLNESS
-------------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt07-02
discussing
the requirement of destruction of the 7 nations without
giving them second chances
states
---------------------------------------------------------------
and when HaShem thy G-d shall deliver them up before thee, and
thou shalt smite them; then
thou shalt utterly destroy them;
thou shalt make no covenant with them,
thou shall not GRACE THEM [acknowledge their graceful achievements]
----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt07-08b BULLETS
-------------------------
Verse Dt07-08
discussing
the reason(s) for God watching over us
states
-------------------------------------------------------------------
but BECAUSE HaShem loved you, and
BECAUSE of His keeping the oath which He swore unto your fathers,
[Therefore] hath HaShem
- brought you out with a mighty hand, and
- redeemed you out of the house of bondage,
- from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments follow the bulleted clause
--------------------------------------------------------
There are two reasons why God watches over us
b) He keeps the oath to the Patriarchs
--------------------------------------------------------
Note: In clarifying the BULLETED structure Rashi
also clarifies the grammatical construction of the phrase
---------------------------------------------------
FROM HIS WATCHING OF THE OATH to the forefathers
---------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt08-01a SPECIAL CONNECTIVE WORDS(All)
----------------------------------------------
The Hebrew word Kaph-Lamed has several meanings
The basic meanings of ALL are
---------------------------------
- all (with no exceptions)
- the whole (all parts)
- all subgroups
- including border-line groups
---------------------------------
We now present two interpretations of Dt08-01 each
one using a different interpretation of Kaph Lamed
Verse Dt08-01
discussing
our obligation to observe commandments to inherit the land
states
----------------------------------------------------
ALL the commandments [Rashi: No exceptions] which
I command thee this day shall ye observe to do,
that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and
possess the land which HaShem swore unto your fathers.
----------------------------------------------------
The above translation uses the translation ALL, NO EXCEPTIONS.
An alternative translation based on THE WHOLE, ALL PARTS, is
----------------------------------------------------
THE WHOLE of the commandment [Rashi: If you begin a
commandment then finish it] which
I command thee this day shall ye observe to do,
that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and
possess the land which HaShem swore unto your fathers.
----------------------------------------------------
Those interested in the word Kaph-Lamed are invited to
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h28n20.htm#LIST005n
for an almost complete list.
--------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt08-08a GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(Construct)
--------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt08-08
discussing the praise and value of Israel uses the phrase
---------------------
olives OF
---------------------
Rashi explains this phrase as meaning
---------------------------------
olives CAPABLE OF PRODUCING OIL
---------------------------------
Here Rashi uses the plasticity of the CONSTRUCT
form, indicated in English by the word OF, to translate
OLIVES OF OIL into OIL PRODUCING OLIVES.
The following table, TRANSLATIONS OF CONSTRUCT,
shows various approaches to translating the CONSTRUCT
based on context.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSLATIONS OF CONSTRUCT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE CONSTRUCT PHRASE THAT IS MEANING OF CONSTRUCT PHRASE
------- ----------------- --------- -------------------------------------
Gn35-05 fear OF God that is fear of God's INTERVENTION
Dt08-08 olives OF oil that is olives YIELDING oil production
Gn12-15 house OF Pharoh that is houses/staff OWNED by Pharoh
Gn29-13 hearings OF Jacob that is hearings/news ABOUT Jacob
1S20-17 love OF his soul that is the DEGREE/TYPE of love shown to self
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt09-09a HONONYMS(sit-dwell)
-------------------------------------
The Biblical Hebrew root Yud-Shin-Beth
can equally mean
------------------------------------
- to SIT
- to DWELL
- to STAY OVER
------------------------------------
The following verses illustrate these meanings
STAYED OVER
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dt09-09a When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone,
even the tables of the covenant which HaShem made with you, then
I STAYED OVER in the mountain forty days and forty nights; I did neither
eat bread nor drink water.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DWELL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gn37-01 And Jacob DWELT in the land of his father's sojournings,
in the land of Canaan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gn31-34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim,
and put them in the saddle of the camel, and SAT upon them.
And Laban felt about all the tent, but found them not.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
EXAMPLE Dt10-08c Dt10-08d BULLETS
---------------------------------
Verse Dt10-08
discussing
God's separating the Levite/Priests to serve God
states
-------------------------------------------------------------------
At that time
HaShem separated the tribe of Levi,
- TO bear the ark of the covenant of HaShem, [Levites bear Ark]
TO stand before HaShem to minister unto Him, and
TO bless in His name, unto this day. [Priests bless nation]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The BULLETED structure of the above verse is indicated by
the repeating CAPPED KEYWORD TO. Rashi uses the REFERENCE
method to identify the REFERENCES of the various bullets
---------------------------------------------------------
- Nu03-11:12 shows Levites/Priests replaced First born
- Nu01-50:51 shows Levites disassemble and bear ark
- Nu06-22:24 shows Priests bless the nation
---------------------------------------------------------
Note that Rashi interprets LEVITES as referrin to LEVITES/PRIESTS
since the tribe of PRIESTS came from the LEVITES.
-------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt10-18a CLIMAX
-------------------------
The CLIMAX principle states that
----------------------------------------------------------
A list of 3 or more phrases dealing with the same topic
should be re-interpreted so as to reflect a CLIMACTIC
DEVELOPMENT
----------------------------------------------------------
We apply this to verses Dt10-17:18
---------------------------------------------------------
For HaShem your G-d,
- a) He is G-d of gods, and L-rd of lords,
b) the great G-d, the mighty, and the awful,
c) who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
d) He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and
e) loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
----------------------------------------------------------
Rashi re-interprets this with a CLIMACTIC structure as follows
-------------------------------------------------------
- a) God is POLITICALLY on top
b) God is also MIGHTY (Has power)
c) God's power is NOT DEPENDENT on others
We have here a description of absolute Power.
Rashi continues showing how God uses this power
for purposes of helping not conquering.
d) He Gives Justice to ORPHANS and WIDOWS
e) He Gives charity (food, clothing) to aliens
--------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-15b Dt11-14b Dt11-15a CLIMAX
------------------------------------------
The CLIMAX principle states that
----------------------------------------------------------
A list of 3 or more phrases dealing with the same topic
should be re-interpreted so as to reflect a CLIMACTIC
DEVELOPMENT
----------------------------------------------------------
We apply this to verses Dt11-14:15 discussing
the reward God gives for fulfillment of commandments
---------------------------------------------------------
...then
- a) I will give the rain of your land in its season,
b) the former rain and the latter rain,
c) that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
d) And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle,
e) and thou shalt eat and
f) be satisfied.
---------------------------------------------------------
Rashi re-interprets this with a CLIMACTIC structure as follows
--------------------------------------------------------------
...then
- a) rain will EXIST for you
b) rain in sufficient QUANTITY for produce
c) YOU will gather the produce
(It will not be destroyed naturally or by the enemy)
d) Produce for YOU and produce/grass for ANIMALS
(Sufficient for both-Rashi gives further agricultural details)
e) Produce will not rot but rather you will EAT it
f) You will EAT and be SATISIFIED (e.g. the food is
nutrionally adequate and doesn't encourage overeating)
---------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-06c Dt15-06d CLIMAX
----------------------------------
Biblical verses Dt15-05:06
discussing
the reward God will give the Jews if they harken
onto his commandments
states
---------------------------------------------
if only thou diligently hearken unto the
voice of HaShem thy G-d, to observe to do
all this commandment which I command thee this day.
For HaShem thy G-d will bless thee, as He promised thee;
- a) and thou shalt lend unto many nations,
b) but thou shalt not borrow;
c) and thou shalt rule over many nations,
d) but they shall not rule over thee.
---------------------------------------------
Rashi comments by pointing out the CLIMACTIC nature
of the above passage
------------------------------------------------------
- a) Jews will be looked up to in international banking
b) You will be independent (You will not need to borrow
to maintain your image)
c) In addition to ECONOMIC prestige you will have
political/military prestige (Many colonies will
be dependen upon you)
d) You will be politically / militarally independent
(You yourself will not be colonized by others but
rather be an independent leader).
-------------------------------------------------------
As can be seen Rashi's comment exhausts itself in identifying
the CLIMACTIC nature of the verse.
-------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt10-19a FillIn
-------------------------
Verse Dt10-19a
discussing
the requirement to treat aliens with dignity and love
states
----------------------------------------
Love ye therefore the stranger; for
ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
----------------------------------------
Rashi explains the causal relationship between the two verse
clauses by FILLIN with obvious real world background
------------------------------------------------------
The blemish that you have (that is, that you were Egyptian Aliens)
do not make fun of in someone else
------------------------------------------------------
In other words
--------------------------------------------
Since you personally experience the anguish
you should not impose do it to others
--------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-14b Lv26-04a FillIn
---------------------------------
Verse Dt11-14b
discussing
God's reward for our observance of his commandments
states
------------------------------------------------------
that I will GIVE RAIN FOR YOUR LAND IN ITS SEASON,
the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest
gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
------------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the CAPPED phrase
----------------------------------------
GIVE RAIN FOR YOUR LAND IN ITS SEASON
----------------------------------------
Rashi explains by a FILLIN from the real world
-----------------------------------------------
For example, RAIN ON FRIDAY NIGHT when people
are home at the Sabbath table is RAIN IN ITS
SEASON (In contrast to rain during the day
which can intefer with commerce)
-----------------------------------------------
Rashi makes an almost identical comment on Lv26-04a
------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt13-07g FILLIN
------------------------
Verse Dt13-07g
discussing
Jews worshipping idols (and the consequences)
states
-------------------------------------------------------------
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son,
or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend,
that is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying:
'Let us go and serve other gods,'
WHICH THOU HAS NOT KNOWN
thou, nor thy fathers;
-------------------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the CAPPED PHRASE
----------------------------------
WHICH THOU HAS NOT KNOWN
----------------------------------
Rashi explains the SIGNIFICANCE of the
CAPPED PHRASE by a FILLIN from the real world
------------------------------------------
If a person observes the idolatry of his next
door neighbor then people are SYMPATHETIC that
the person sinned for social reasons because
they deal with the neighbor.
But if a person hears about idolatry in a distant
land and starts worshipping it people are more
likely to perceive it as PREMEDITATED without
extenuating circumstances
------------------------------------------
------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt13-18a FILLIN
------------------------
Verse Dt13-18a
discussing
the prohibition of keeping any spoil from a city
that was destroyed because of a sin of idolatry
states
--------------------------------------------------
And THERE SHALL CLEAVE NOUGHT of the devoted thing
to thy hand, THAT HASHEM MAY TURN FROM THE
FIERCENESS OF HIS ANGER, and show thee mercy,
and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee,
as He hath sworn unto thy fathers;
--------------------------------------------------
Rashi makes a LOGICAL inference from the capped words
-----------------------------------------------------
THERE SHALL CLEAVE NOUGHT
SO THAT
HASHEM MAY TURN FROM THE FIERCENESS OF HIS ANGER
-----------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments
--------------------------------------------
Abstention from cleaving leads to REMOVAL of Divine wrath
Hence cleaving to idolatry leads to PRESENCE of Divine wrath
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt13-08a BULLETS
--------------------------
Verse D13-08a
describing
a sin of idolatry,
states
--------------------------------------------------------
...of the gods of the peoples
that are round about you,
- THAT ARE near unto thee, or
THAT ARE far off from thee,
from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
--------------------------------------------------------
The repeating keyword/keyletter THAT ARE indicates
a BULLET like structure. The BULLET LIKE structure
indicates a CONTRASTIVE EMPHASIS which Rashi elaborates
here and in the preceding Rashi, Dt13-07g
--------------------------------------------------
Rashi: The Bible describes two types of sin
- social idolatry which you learn about from
interacting with nearby neighbors
curiosity idolatry which you learn about from
interacting with far off cultures
Both these idolatries will not help you in anyway
Both are inexcusable
your friendships should not require you to give
up your religion
your idle curiosity should not require you to give
up your religion
---------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-06b IDIOMS
-------------------------------------
Verse Dt11-06b
discussing
the destruction of the followers in the Korach rebellion
states
----------------------------------------------------------
and what He did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab,
the son of Reuben; how the earth opened her mouth, and
swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents,
and all the LIVING AT THEIR FEET,
in the midst of all Israel;
-----------------------------------------------------------
Rashi illuminates the IDIOMATIC PHRASE
------------------------------------
and all the LIVING AT THEIR FEET
------------------------------------
Rashi states
---------------------------------------------------
The capped phrase LIVING AT THEIR FEET
refers to the LIVESTOCK ASSETS that are
AT HIS FEET
---------------------------------------------------
I would strengthen Rashi by REFERENCING another
verse with a similar phrase
Verse Gn33-14
discussing
Jacob's relunctance to journey with Esauv because his
livestock would slow him down
states
---------------------------------------------------------
Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant;
and I will journey on gently, according to
the FEET [pace] OF THE LIVESTOCK that are before me and
according to the FEET [PACE] of the children, until I
come unto my lord unto Seir.'
----------------------------------------------------------
Here FEET means PACE. Hence I would suggest that
the IDIOMATIC phrase
------------------------------------
and all the LIVING AT THEIR FEET
------------------------------------
really means
-------------------------------------------
and all the LIVESTOCK with which they PACE
-------------------------------------------
At any rate our principles on IDIOM Rashis
should be reiterated
------------------------------------------
- Rashi does two things in an IDIOM Rashi
- He explains the MEANING of the IDIOM
- He ATTEMPTS to explain why the sequence
of words means this IDIOM
------------------------------------------
As long as we understand the meaning of the
IDIOM (Assets) we have understood Rashi. There
are sometimes numerous paths to understand
the REASON for the IDIOMATIC usage.
----------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-13f ALIGNMENT-nuances
----------------------------------------
Verse Dt11-13f
discussing
our obligation to totally Love God
states
------------------------------------------------------------
And it shall come to pass, if ye shall
hearken diligently unto My commandments
which I command you this day, to love HaShem your G-d, and to
SERVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL
------------------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt06-05
discussing
our obligation to toally Love God
states
---------------------------------------------------------------
And thou shalt love HaShem thy G-d
WITH ALL THY HEART AND WITH ALL THY SOUL AND WITH ALL THY MIGHT
---------------------------------------------------------------
In English the two CAPPED PHRASES appear identical
Howevr in Hebrew
----------------------------------------
- Dt11-13f uses the PLURAL 'YOUR'
- Dt06-05 uses the SINGULAR 'YOUR'
----------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the NUANCES inferred from the ALIGNMENT
---------------------------------------------------
There are two separate obligations to Love God
- Each INDIVIDUAL must love God (e.g. by doing personal
commandments
The COMMUNITY as a whole must love God (e.g. by
performing communal commandments)
---------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt14-01b ALIGNMENT-nuances
-----------------------------------
The following two verses both discussing
the prohibition of creating baldness
when ALIGNED, as indicated by the cAPPED WORDS,
show further NUANCES and details to the prohibition.
-------------------------------------------------------
- Dt14-01b Ye are the children of HaShem your G-d:
ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any BALDNESS
BETWEEN YOUR EYES for the dead.
Lv21-05 They shall not make BALDNESS UPON THEIR HEAD,
neither shall they shave off the corners of their beard,
nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
-------------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the ALIGNED CAPPED WORDS
----------------------------------------
BALDNESS BETWEEN YOUR EYES
BALDNESS UPON THEIR HEAD
----------------------------------------
Rashi comments
---------------------------------------------------------
It is prohibited to create BALDNESS anyplace on the head
[However between the eyes are the usual place that idolaters
create baldness. Hence the two verses together prohibit
creating any baldness whether in the usual place, between
the eyes or in the non-standard place, anyplace else on
the head
---------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt11-17a HONONYMS
--------------------------
The Hebrew root Yud-Beth-Lamed can mean
-----------------------------------------
- Precious gift brought to a person
- produce of the earth
- the Jubilee year
-----------------------------------------
It is customary to explain the UNIFYING MEANING as
-----------
bringing
-----------
So we have
-------------------------------------------------------
- gifts BROUGHT to a person
- produce BROUGHT FORTH from the earth
- the Jubilee year can be interpreted either as the
- The year of PRODUCE (Land not worked but sufficient produce for food)
- The year of people BROUGHT back to their homes.
-------------------------------------------------------
I would add that Yud-Beth-Lamed specifically refers not to
any BRINGING but to BRINGING IMPORTANT GIFTS as we find in
----------------------------------------------------------
- Ho10-06 It also shall be BROUGHT unto Assyria, for a
GIFT to King Contentious; Ephraim shall receive shame,
and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
- P076-12 Vow, and pay unto HaShem your G-d;
let all that are round about Him BRING GIFTS unto
Him that is to be feared;
----------------------------------------------------------
Hence Rashi translates Dt11-17
-----------------------------------------
and the anger of HaShem be kindled against you,
and He shut up the heaven, so that there shall be no rain,
and the ground shall not BRING FORTH PRODUCE; and ye
perish quickly from off the good land which HaShem giveth you.
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt12-09b Dt12-09c BULLETS
-----------------------------------
Verse Dt12-09
discussing
the Jews coming to Israel
states
------------------------------------
for ye are not as yet come
TO THE inheritance,
which HaShem your G-d giveth thee.
------------------------------------
The REPEATING KEYWORDS, TO THE create a BULLET like
effect. The BULLETS require Rashi to interpret each
item with a distinctness. Rashi choses to see the
BULLETED list as referring to the various places
that the Ark of God resided
Rashi states
-------------------------------------------------------------
- TO THE REST - NOV (1S21), SHILO (1S04-03), GIVON (1K03-04)
TO THE INHERITANCE - Jerusalem (Home of the Temple)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Rashi onlyl mentions SHILO and JERUSALEM but it seems
reasonable and consistent with his approach and methods
to also mention SHILO and GIVON.
--------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt13-07a HONONYMS
--------------------------
The Biblical root Samech-Yud-Tauv has an underlying
unified meaning of
------------------------
PERSUASION / SEDUCTION
------------------------
Some sample verses might be
----------------------------------------------------
- Dt13-07a When your brother PERSUADED / SEDUCES you to worship idols
- 1S26-19 If God PERSUADED you against me
- Gn49-11 washing SEDUCTIVE garments (lingeree) in wine
- 2C32-11 Chizkiyahu is PERSUADING you [not to surrender and hence] to die
- Jb02-03 Satan, you have PERSUADED Me(God) to hurt Job for nought
-----------------------------------------------------
Hence Rashi translates Dt13-07a
-----------------------------------------------------
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son,
or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend,
that is as thine own soul, PERSUADE/ENTICE thee secretly, saying:
'Let us go and serve other gods,' which thou hast not known,
thou, nor thy fathers;
------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt13-17a Dt15-10b GRAMMAR-miscellaneous(FOR YOU)
---------------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt13-17a
describing
how the Jews deal with the spoils of a destroyed idolatrous city
states
--------------------------------------------------------------
And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the
broad place thereof, and shall burn with fire the city, and all
the spoil thereof every whit, FOR HASHEM YOUR GOD; and it shall
be a heap for ever; it shall not be built again.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the CAPPED words
----------------------------------
FOR Hashem your God
----------------------------------
Rashi uses the principle
------------------------------------------
The word FOR (Hebrew letter prefix LAMED)
when used adverbially
indicates a PERSONAL usage
So in this verse the CAPPED words
indicate that the spoil should be
DEDICATED TO GOD
------------------------------------------
For a LIST with several dozen examples of
this FOR=PERSONAL rule visit
-------------------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h29n8.htm#LIST705a
-------------------------------------------
Another example of the FOR=PERSONAL rule occurs
at Dt15-10b.
Verse Dt15-10b
discussing
the obligation to give a poor person charity
states
------------------------------------------------
Thou shalt surely give him, and thy heart shall
not be grieved when thou givest TO HIM; because
that for this thing HaShem thy G-d will bless thee
in all thy work, and in all that thou puttest thy hand unto.
------------------------------------------------
(Note: In Hebrew the connective words, FOR and TO
are both indicated by a prefix LAMED)
Rashi comments on the phrase TO HIM indicated by the Hebrew
prefix letter LAMED
-----------------------------------------------------
It says GIVE TO HIM indicating that the charity
giving should be PERSONAL; for example giving a
person privately so that no one sees and he is
not embarassed.
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt14-21b MEANING-hononyms
----------------------------------
Verse Dt14-21b
discussing
the commandment requirements enabling Jews to be Holy
states
-----------------------------------------------
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself;
thou mayest give it unto the stranger that is within thy gates,
that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner;
for thou art a HOLY people unto HaShem thy G-d. ....
-----------------------------------------------
The Hebrew root Kuph-Daleth-Shin, HOLY, has several meanings
--------------------------------
Prostitute
Inauguration / Invitation
--------------------------------
We suggest that the fundamental unifying theme of the
Hebrew Biblical root, Kuph-Daleth-Shin, is FORMAL
Hence we have the following usages
------------------------------------------------------------------
VERSES WITH ROOT Kuph-Daleth-Shin (Holy)
------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
VERSE VERSE 2 FORMAL Summary of verse content
--------- ------- ----------------- ------------------------------
- Ex19-06 Ex19-15 Formal atmosphere Separation from women
Lv19-02 Lv18 Formal atmosphere Separation from illicit sex
Lv20-26 Lv20 Formal atmosphere PUnishment for illicit sex
Lv21-07 Lv21-09 Formal atmosphere Women prohibited to Priest
Nu06-05 Nu05 Formal Atmosphere Chapter on suspected adultree
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt23-15 Dt23-11 Formal atmosphere Coverup of seminal emissions
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt14-21 Dt14 Formal Atmosphere Forbidden foods
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yo02-16 Formal invitation Invite to Fast ceremony
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt23-18 Formal woman Formal prostitute
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dt12-26 Formal Place Temple
------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Rashi following the Midrash identifies HOLINESS with
SEPARATION (Separation from sexual and food prohibitions). This
is consistent with the majority of the above list. However as
can be seen there are other verses clearly indicating the
concept of FORMALITY.
Also note that Rashi on Dt14-21b states
---------------------------------------------------
Be FORMAL (Kuph-Daleth-Shin) in that which is permissable
Honor other people's abstentions from permissable items
---------------------------------------------------
This Rashi comment is consistent with the idea of FORMAL.
----------------------------------------------------------
- At a FORMAL affair people are respectful of others wishes
- By contrast, in a bar people might tease someone who
unnecessarily abstains.
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt14-21c Dt14-21d FORMAT-repetition
---------------------------------------------
Verse Dt14-21c
discussing
the prohibition of cooking a kid in its mother's milk
states
-------------------------------------------------
Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself;
thou mayest give it unto the stranger that is within thy gates,
that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner;
for thou art a holy people unto HaShem thy G-d.
THOU SHALT NOT SEETHE A KID IN ITS MOTHERS MILK
--------------------------------------------------
The capped words
------------------------------------------------
THOU SHALT NOT SEETHE A KID IN ITS MOTHERS MILK
------------------------------------------------
are REPEATED in three verses Ex23-19, Ex34-26, Dt14-21
Rashi follows the principle that
-----------------------------------------------------
REPETITION is the BIBLICAL way of indicating EMPHASIS
A modern author would indicate emphasis by BOLD/UNDERLINE
So the UNDERLINE of the modern author OR the REPETITION
of the Biblical Author both indicate an UNSPECIFIED
EMPHASIS.
-----------------------------------------------------
To fully understand Rashi we must recall the exegetical
principle (STYLE Rule) that ALL Biblical verses are PERCEIVED
as ExAMPLES to be GENENRALiZED (unless otherwise indicated
(Rashi Pesachim 6a)) Examples of this principle may be
found in the STYLE lists. However a typical example is
-------------------------------------------
Dt25-04 DON'T MUZZLE AN OX DURING ITS THRESHINGS
-------------------------------------------
On which Rashi comments
-------------------------------------------
Don't muzzle ANY ANIMAL (not just an OX)
Don't stop the animal from eating by ANY METHOD(e.g. muzzling)
Don't stop the animal during ITS work (e.g. THRESHING)
-------------------------------------------
In other words Rashi sees each item in the verse,
OX, MUZZLE, THRESHING, as a GOOD EXAMPLE of the General law.
Returning to Dt14-21c prohibiting cooking a kid in its
mother's milk the natural approach would be to GENERALIZE
this law to ANY ANIMAL. However because of the REPETITION
which indicates EMPHASIS this GENERALIZATION is restricted
Hence the Rashi comment
-------------------------------------------
Don't cook any kid of a KOSHER ANIMAL in the milk of its mother
-------------------------------------------
We in effect have two Rashi methods here
-----------------------------------------
- GENERALIZATION (kid-->any KOSHER ANIMAL)
- RESTRICTION (only generalize so far)
-----------------------------------------
This seems to be the simplest approach to Rashi. Note the
approach I have taken does not see particular significance
in using TWO REPETITIONS vs THREE REPETITIONS. The basic
idea is that because of the combination of GENERALIZATION and
RESTRICTION we only GENERALIZE to the immediate category of
KOSHER ANIMALS (but not e.g. birds, or unkosher animals)
------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-08a REPETITION
------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt15-08
discussing
the requirement to give charity
states
---------------------------------------------
But you shall OPEN OPEN your hand wide to him,
and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need,
in that which he lacks.
---------------------------------------------
Rashi comments on the REPEATED WORD 'OPEN' which
is interpreted as indicating unspecified emphasis,
similar to the use of underline or bold by a modern
author
----------------------------------------------------
OPEN OPEN - even multiple times
----------------------------------------------------
In other words OPEN by itself could be theoretically
fulfilled by your loaning ONCE to the poor (but not
if he comes back a second time with a follow up loan)
The REPEATED OPEN OPEN indicates MULTIPLE loans.
This emphasis on MULTIPLE LOANS is also indicated by
the remainder of the verse
------------------------------------
lend him SUFFICIENT FOR HIS NEED
------------------------------------
which indicates that the loans should be continued,
even multiple times,
until his business has what he needs and he
can stand on his own feet.
----------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-08e REPETITION
----------------------------
Verse Dt15-08e
discussing
the requirement to give poor people charity
according to their needs
states
--------------------------------------------
but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him,
and shalt surely lend him
sufficient for his LACKING
According to what he LACKS
--------------------------------------------
Rashi interprets the REPEATING capped words, LACK,
as indicating UNSPEcIFIED EMPHASIS similar to the
way a modern reader would interpret a modern author
using UNDERLINE or BOLD as indicating UNSPECIFIED
EMPHASIS.
Rashi comments
----------------------------------------------------
Give him WHATEVER he is LACKING.
So e.g. if he was formerly rich and use to
chauffered cars then give him a chauffered car
----------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-01a CONTRADIcTION-broad-literal
---------------------------------------------
The following two verses both discussing
the annulment of vows in the 7th year
contain CONTRADIcTORY statements
------------------------------------------------
- Dt15-01a AT THE END OF SEVEN YEARS
thou shalt make a release
Dt15-07:09 If there is among you a poor man ...
Beware that there be not a thought in your wicked heart, saying,
THE SEVENTH YEAR, the year of release, IS AT HAND; ...
and you give him nothing; and he cry to the Lord against you,
-------------------------------------------------
We see the CONTRADICTION indicated by the CAPPED words. Which
is it? Is the release at the end of 7 years after any debt
or is the release automatic at the end of every 7 calendar
years independent of when the loan was made?
Rashi answers this CONTRADICTION by re-interpreting the
words used in a more BROAD-LITERAL manner. Hence
Rashi comments as indicated by the CAPPED words
-------------------------------------------------------
At the end of EVERY seven CALENDAR years annul loans
If you are asked for a loan near the 7th year dont abstain
-------------------------------------------------------
In other words Rashi slightly reinterprets the words so
that they consistently indicate that the annulment takes
place every 7 calendar years (even e.g. if the loan was made
at the end of the 6th year).
---------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-06b GRAMMAR-conjugation
---------------------------------------------------
Verse Dt15-06b
discussing
God's reward to the Jews for observance of commandments,
that they will be international bankers and a military
power
states
---------------------------------------------------------
For HaShem thy G-d will bless thee, as He promised thee;
and thou shalt LEND unto many nations,
but thou shalt not BORROW; ...
---------------------------------------------------------
Rashi explains technicalities about the Hebrew Biblical roots
used for CONJUGATION: Lamed-Vav-Hey and Ayin-Beth-Tet.
----------------------------------------------------------
e.g. Lamed-Vav-hey means to be ATTACHED(as in a person
who joins a group). Hence
- The CAUSATIVE grammatical mode (HIFIL) indicates
LENDING (Causing SOMEONE else to be ATTACHED to you and
owe you money) while
the SIMPLE grammatical mode (KAL/QAL) indicates
LOANING (you ATTACHING yourself to someone else by
loaning money)
----------------------------------------------------------
This HIFIL:QAL::LEND:LOAN distinction explains the
grammatical modes of the Hebrew words corresponding
to the CAPPED WORDS, - BORROW,LEND - in the above citation.
-----------------------
EXAMPLE: Dt15-11c Style
-----------------------
Verse Dt15-11c
discussing
the obligation to give charity to the poor
states
--------------------------------------------
For the poor shall never cease out of the land;
therefore I command thee, saying:
'Thou shalt surely open thy hand
to the POOR
to the INDIGENT
in thy land.'
--------------------------------------------
The capped words BROTHER-(POOR, INDIGENT) use a GENERAL-DETAIL
style
------------------------------------------
- GENERAL: Give unto thy BROTHER
DETAIL: Give unto thy POOR
DETAIL: Give unto thy INDIGENT
------------------------------------------
Rashi interprets these GENERAL-DETAIL sequence in accordance
with the Rabbi Ishmael STYLE rules
--------------------------------------------
When you give to your BROTHERS (FELLOW JEWS)
you must only give to those who are POOR / INDIGENT
You need not give charity to rich people
--------------------------------------------
Notes: By using the GENERAL-DETAIL structure we further
learn that the Biblical obligation of Charity only
applies to JEWISH POOR (The obligation to give charity
to the non-Jewish poor is Rabbinic).
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