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(C) Dr Russell Jay Hendel, 2000
Volume 6 Number 6
Produced May, 18 2000
WARNING: USE FIX WIDTH FONTS (eg COURIER (NEW) 10)
Verses/Topics Discussed in This Issue with quicky explanations
--------------------------------------------------------------
v6-5-18 The Shamash Web site will move soon. Shamash is
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Rashi website is moving to the RashiYomi website.
v6a5-18 John Loike's question from last issue is answered
v3a24-4
The Hebrew root T-H-R=CLEAN/SPARKLE. This refers to
eg SPARKLING MATERIAL(gold, silver) as well as
SPARKLING APPEARANCE (Spotless). 5 examples are given.
The Hirschian theory of ritual purity is discussed.
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VERSE: v6-5-18
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Administrivia
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VERSE: v6a5-18
=====
This issue is dedicated to answering Dr Loikes question
>Why does Rashi interpret T-H-R in two ways?
>T-H-R = made of Gold
>T-H-R = spotless
See the answer in the next posting
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VERSE: v3a24-4
======
****************************
MODULE 1: T-H-R = Sparkling*
****************************
The Hebrew root
>T-H-R
usually occurs in connection with the not well understood process of
>ritual purity
Hence it is natural that people have forgotten the original meaning of
the word. However Rashi-is-Simple and translates the word
>T-H-R = SPARKLING.
Using this translation we can understand several verses and Rashis
that may appear, on first glance, enigmatic. We can also use this
Rashi to defend Rav Hirschs beautiful and masterful explanation of
ritual purity. Let us give examples of T-H-R = SPARKLING
EXAMPLE 1: Ex24-10e
==========
>Ex24-10e >And they beheld a vision of God...& at Gods
>footsteps there appeared ...saphire bricks
>..like the SPARKLING (T-H-R) body of the sky
>RASHI >T-H-R = CLEAR and SPARKLING
EXAMPLE 2: Ex24-10c
=========
>Ex24-10c >And they beheld a vision of God....
>...like the SPARKLING body of the sky
>RASHI: >God appeared against a setting of SPARKLE since
>when God appears there is
>LIGHT and
>JOY
EXAMPLE 3: Ex31-08a
=========
>Ex31-08a >....and Betzalel made ..the SPARKLING Candellabrah
>RASHI: >The candellabrah is called
>SPARKLING
>because it was made of
>PURE (SPARKLING) Gold
EXAMPLE 4: Lv24-04a
=========
>Lv24-04a >The candles will be ordered on the SPARKLING Candellabrah
>RASHI: >1st the candellabrah is called
>SPARKLING
>because it was made of
>PURE (SPARKLING) Gold
>Furthermore, the Candellabrah had to be cleaned every
>day before setting the candles because without cleaning
>the candellabrah would not be
>Sparkling
EXAMPLE 5: Lv24-06b
=========
>Lv24-06b >The bread will be on a SPARKLING (ie SPOTLESS) table
>RASHI: >1st, the Temple TABLE has a PURE SPARKLING gold component
>Furthermore, the table had to be spotless (Sparkling) so
>that the temple loaves of bread would be placed directly
>on the table (in other words the table had to be spotless
>and without dirt so that the loaves should not have to
>be placed on the stands)
Notice how our approach answers John Loikes question (Last issue)
of why Rashi used 2 interpretations to T-H-R
>T-H-R = Sparkling Gold
>T-H-R = CLEAN, Sparkling
Indeed, just think of your favorite wine cup. To be called
>SPARKLING
we need BOTH that
>the cup is eg made of SPARKLING SILVER
>the cup itself is clean and sparkling (not tarnished)
The technique we have used here is that of
>UNIFYING MEANING
The concept of
>SPARKLE, CLARITY (explicitly mentioned by Rashi)
unifies all occurences of SPARKLE.
Indeed Rav Hirsch interprets
>RITUAL PURITY = A state of Mental Sparkle and Clarity
>Ritual IMPURITY = a state of confusion and depression;
an inability to spontaneously act
Here are some examples of Rav Hirschs theory
>EXAMPLE 1: If a person is sitting SHIVAH because someone
died then that person has had their mental
clarity slightly dampened...they have lost
their sparkle...indeed the thought that we
all must die fights against the thought that
we should embark on life long projects--after
all, why should I start a project late in life
if I know I will die and not complete it! Thus
the sight of death dampens sparkle
>EXAMPLE 2: A person who experiences say nocturnal accidents
may have his sense of freedom in the physical
intimacy area dampened...After all...the person
sees that involuntary 'accidents' can happen to
him at night. He may reason that ALL activity in
the physical area is 'determined'--he may doubt
that there is free will. It is this loss of
belief in free will that Rav Hirsch identifies
with 'loss of sparkle' and ritual impurity.
Enough said---those wishing to continue pursuing this beautiful
subject are invited to read Rav Hirsch's beautiful 50 page essay
on Numbers 19, the Red Heiffer...one of the great classics of
Jewish Symbolism.
A summary of illustrative verses and meanings of T-H-R may be found
below in {LIST1}
LISTS,NOTES,SUMMARIES:(This section may be ignored on a 1st Reading)
====================================================================
{LIST1} {The fundamental meaning of
>T-H-R = SPARKLE/CLEAN
This {LIST} contains several verse examples illustrating
this (Courtesy of RADACK)*1}
VERSE TEXT
===== ====
Job37-22 ..a wind comes(after a storm) & SPARKLES/CLEARS the sky
Mal3-3 & metal workers will SPARKLE the silver (from its dross)
Ex24-10 ...like a SPARKLING SKY
Lv24-04 on the SPARKLING (Goldish **and** clean) Candellabrah
2Kings5-10 ..& wash in the Jordan & your skin will sparkle*2
FOOTNOTES
=========
*1 We have shown above how the concept of
>RITUAL PURITY = a CLEAR mental state;
>RITUAL IMPURITY = a confused/dampened mental state
*2 The person in question had leprosy. The prophet told him to
bath in the river and
>your skin will sparkle
PRINCIPLES USED: UNIFIED MEANING
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THE 2 DOZEN RASHI-IS-SIMPLE RASHI RULES
=======================================
I: RASHI gives MEANING
======================
A: WORD MEANINGS--(eg)"on the face of"=during the lifetime
(v2n6,v4-3-4), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-3-4.htm
B: SPECIAL WORDS--(eg)ACH=USUALLY;USUALLY observe shabbath!
(v2n6, v4-1-49),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-1-49.htm
C: SYNONYMS--(eg)YShV=RESIDE; GARTI='INNED'--temporary say
(v1n1, v1-32-5), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1-32-5.htm
D: UNIFIED MEANING--(eg)Tz Ch K = (a) laugh, OR (b) mock
(v4n4, v1-21-9), http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1-21-9.htm
E: NEW MEANINGS--(eg)HEAD-MOUTH of garment = HEM of Garment
(v5n10,v2a28-32),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2a28-32.htm
II: RASHI teaches GRAMMAR/STYLE
===============================
F: CLASSICAL GRAMMAR--(eg)HEY+CHATAF PATACH=QUESTION
(v2n24,v1b3-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1b3-11.htm
G: USAGE(NEW GRAMMAR)--(eg)INFINITIVE=GERUND;WATCHING laws;
(v2n10,v4-32-6),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-32-6.htm
H: ROOT+PREPOSITION--(eg) BCH AL=cries about,BCH ETH=mourn
(v1n14,v1a45-14),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a45-14.htm
I: SEMANTIC RULES--(eg) WAGES="ENDoF"="END oF Work Day';
(v1n10,v1b1-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1b1-1.htm
J: STYLE--(eg)REPETITION denotes Endearment;'Abraham,Abraham
(v1n6,v2-1-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-1-1.htm
K: DOUBLE NOUNS--(eg)HIT HIT by sword ('even without sword')
(v2n20,v2a22-25),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2a22-25.htm
L: PRONOUNS--(eg) sanctify OTHO = sanctify ONLY IT;
(v2n10,v4a7-1),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4a7-1.htm
III: OVERALL TEXTUAL STRUCTURE
==============================
M: OTHER VERSES--(eg)STONE(3-25-13)=BALANCE STONES(3-19-36)
(v3n9,v5b25-13),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5b25-13.htm
N: EXTRA SENTENCES--(eg)he'll dress his measurement=TAYLORED
(v1n20,v3a6-3),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v3a6-3.htm
O: DOUBLE PARSHAS-'he WILL pray'-'he WON'T pray';So Optional
(v3n12,v5a24-14),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5a24-14.htm
P: CLIMAX-(eg 5-19-11)(a)Hate, (b)spy, (c)confront,(d)Murder
(v3n9,v5-19-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5-19-11.htm
Q: OVERALL STRUCTURE-growing nails=despisement(from context)
(v3n8,v5-21-12),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v5-21-12.htm
IV: IMPLICATIONS & DERIVATIONS
==============================
R: STAGES-learn HUMAN marital frequency from ANIMAL ratios
(v1n14,v1a32-15),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a32-15.htm
S: MORAL LESSONS/REASONS-God spoke before punishment;we too
(v2n12,v4-12-9),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v4-12-9.htm
T: RabbiIshmael-(eg)When an OX gores; OR ANY animal gores;
(v2n19,v2-22-17),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-22-17.htm
V: OVERALL
=================
U: SYMBOLISM-'WASHING his clothes in wine'=PLENTY of wine;
(v4n18,v1a49-11),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v1a49-11.htm
V: PICTURES--(eg) The TZITZ was like a HELMET over a turban
(v5n12,v2-40-35),http://www.shamash.org/rashi/v2-40-35.htm
W: TABLES/SPREADSHEETS---To appear
End of Rashi-Is-Simple Digest
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