Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#8 of 36
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# 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE #
# Aug 15, 2000 #
# Rashis 201-202 Of 7800 (2.6%) #
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This module deals with the principle of CLIMAX. We review
Rashis on verses where the motivating interpretive force of
Rashi is the climactic development of verses.
Briefly speaking the rule of CLIMAX states that at certain
times a sequence of 3 or more Biblical phrases will develop
a theme in a CLIMACTIC FASHION.
EXAMPLE: The best example of Climax is the Rashi on Dt19-11
According to Rashi this verse describes MURDER as occuring
in 4 stages:
------------------------------------------------------------
--The EMOTIONAL stage---"When a person HATES another person"
--The OBSERVATIONAL stage--"& he spys/STALKS on that person"
--The CONFRONTATION stage--"& he CONFRONTS him"
--MURDER-------------------"& he MURDERS him".
------------------------------------------------------------
In other words Rashi uses the CLIMACTIC development of this
verse to show HOW a murder occurs--you don't just get up
and murder somebody. First you hate them; then you spy alot
on them; finally you can pick a fight with them and this
leads to murder.
The principle of CLIMAX is particularly useful for purposes
of OUTREACH. For every climactic development teaches us
HOW to stop something from developing. Thus the best way
to stop murder is to stop the hatred and stalking that
leads to it. Many other useful examples of outreach will
be presented in this module.
We will now spend 2-3 days reviewing a very basic set of
Rashis on Climax--namely the Rashis on Lv26-14:15. This
set of Rashis shows an interesting interchange between
----Rashis on 6 Biblical phrases
----5 subtle distinctions in these 2-3 verses
----what looks like arbitrary distinctions in Rashi
Remember our goal is to show how the principle of
CLIMAX itself contributes to the Rashis.
For those interested this entire set of Rashis was first
published at
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/h2n5.htm
The explanations I gave had significant improvements from
my Rashi class at the Lower Merion Synagogue which I gave
for several years.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VERSE: Lv26-14a
VERSE: Lv26-14b
BACKGROUND
----------
Today we mention the last 2 Rashis and complete this unit.
BIBLICAL TEXT WITH RASHIS INTERPRETATION
-----------------------------------------
We 1st recall the translation of Lv26-14:15 which speaks
about Jews who DONT LISTEN to the commandments.
BIBLICAL TEXT RASHI
------------- -----------------------
If you
1) Don't LISTEN = Don't STUDY
2) don't PRACTICE = Don't OBEY
3) DESPISE my laws = Ridicule OTHERS
4) COURT DECISIONS loathesome = Ridicule COURT DECISIONS
5) DON'T PARTICPATE IN DOING = DON'T participate in
COMMUNAL performances
6) MY commandments = You deny they come from GOD
7) TILL you annul my convenant = TOTAL BLASPHEMY
Notice at this point how the Rashis all appear ad hoc;
For example why should we interpert "DESPISE MY LAWS"
as "RIDICULE THE RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCE OF OTHERS".These
interpretations are possible but not necessary.
LISTS WITH PECULIARITIES
------------------------
We review {LIST5} which reviews the different types
of activities(verbs) mentioned in Lv26-14:15
{LIST5} {Note the difference in the TYPE of verbs used}
-------------------------------------------------------------
The following are ACTION verbs--activities of DOING
-------------------------------------------------------------
Lv26-14 If you don't LISTEN
If you do not DO THE COMMANDMENTS
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The following are EMOTIONAL VERBS--activities of FEELING
--------------------------------------------------------------
Lv26-15 If MY STATUTES are DESPISED
If MY JUDGEMENTS are LOATHESOME
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The following are INFINITIVE VERBS--verbs of ongoing activity
---------------------------------------------------------------
Until you are not DOING MY COMMANDMENTS
Until you are BREAKING MY CONVENANT
We have already defended the other parts of the list.
We now defend the first part, Lv26-14
EXAMPLE 17: Lv26-14a
--------------------
Lv26-14a "If you don't LISTEN"
RASHI: i.e. If you don't LEARN
EXAMPLE 18: Lv26-14b
--------------------
Lv26-14b "If you don't DO these COMMANDMENTS"
RASHI: i.e. If you don't PERFORM commandments
COMMENT
-------
Normally we might regard LISTEN and DO as the same.
However because of the SEQUENCE of Verbs Rashi
feels compelled to interpret each one distinctly.
Furthermore there are many verses with the pair
of verbs DO--LISTEN and these are always interpreted
as LEARN-PERFORM. We could bring this LIST but
rather it is more instructive to look at the CLIMAX
in the verses and learn OUTREACH methods (which is
the goal of this whole rule)
SUMMARY Lv26-14:15
------------------
QUESTION: How does apostasy--total denial of ones religion,happen
ANSWER: According to Lv26-14:15 there are 3 stages
---Stage 1: INTELLECTUAL-ACTION: You stop learning/doing religion
---Stage 2: EMOTIONAL: You redicule laws without reasons and
constantly gripe about judicial process
---Stage 3: SOCIAL: You stop participating in communal
performances of commandments
---Stage 4: APOSTASY: The inevitable result is total denial
of religion.
The above sequence also suggests OUTREACH
---Stage 1: Get the apostate back into LEARNING
---Stage 2: Make him enjoy some mitzvoth (eg the "make
Friday night into Shabbath" program by outreach groups)
---Stage 3: Get the apostate back into social groups which can
provide peers
---Stage 4: RETURN---under the above conditions, Return is easy
In summary, OUTREACH METHODS should focus on 3 components of
the person: intellectual, emotional, social. Such an approach
facilitates return.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#