RABBI ISHMAEL: CONTRADICTORY VERSES |
BACKGROUND
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Rabbi Ishmael shows that the Bible uses Contradictory verses
The resolution of these contradictory verses (by 5 methods)
leads to additional nuances and understanding of the text.
REFERENCE
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http://www.rashiyomi.com/ri-14.htm
THE METHOD
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We have outlined 5 submethods of resolving contradiction.
* ASPECTS
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-One verse says the slaves WIFE/CHILDREN go FREE
-Another verse says DONT MAKE SLAVES OUT OF JEWS
So we have a contradiction---how could the wife go free-it is
prohibited to make her a slave.
The contradiction is resolved by looking at 2 ASPECTS of the
wife master relationship. He cannot ENSLAVE her but he MUST
SUPPORT HER (When her husband goes out she goes out also*1)
* 2 STAGES
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e.g 1 verse says Levites start learning at 25; Another verse
says at 30. The resolution is to start LEARNING at 25
but start SERVICE at 30
* MEANING(Restrictive vs Broad)
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e.g 1 verse says DONT LET ANY CANAANITES LIVE
Another verse says TAKE SLAVES FROM THE SURROUNDING NATIONS
The resolution is we can purchase slaves from any SURROUNDING
nation EXCEPT Canaan.
* NAMES(2 names)
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e.g. 1 verses calls it a BIRTHstool (Name by FUNCTION) while
a 2nd verse calls it an STONEstool (Name by SUBSTANCE)
* MODAL(MAY-MUST)
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e.g. One verse says AGRIEVED WORKERS WILL PRAY TO GOD FOR
VENGENCE while another says LEST THEY PRAY TO GOD.
We infer that employees MAY PRAY but have no OBLIGATION.
THE LIST
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Ex21-03c and Lv25-41a are new. Nu21-21a illustrates our notation
Both verses speak about delegates being sent. One says MOSES sent
delegates while the other says ISRAEL sent them, hence these
words are capped. The resolution is that
(MOSES sent delegates on behalf of ISRAEL)
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VERSE-1 |
VERSE-2 |
WHY 2 |
HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED |
Nu21-21a |
Dt02-26 |
Aspects |
MOSES sent delegates on behalf of ISRAEL |
Ex21-03c |
Lv45-41 |
Aspects |
Slaves wife not USED but SUPPORTED |
Lv25-41a |
Lv45-42 |
Aspects |
Slaves children not USED but SUPPORTED |
Ex20-19c |
Ex19-20 |
Aspects |
Gods VOICE in heaven;His FIRE on earth |
Ex40-35a |
Ex25-22 |
Aspects |
Moses at ENTRANCE; God by KRUBIM(Nu07-89 |
Ex28-37a |
Ex39-30 |
Aspects |
Priest mask went AROUND and OVER head |
Ex15-01d |
Ex15-04 |
Stages |
Egypt thrown UP;then shot DOWN to sea |
Ex16-13b |
Nu11-09 |
Stages |
1st DEW bed; then MANNA; then DEW cover |
Nu08-24b |
Nu04-03 |
Stages |
Levites LEARN at 25;they SERVE at 30 |
Dt15-17a |
Lv25-10 |
Meaning |
Slaves work FOREVER=TILL 50th YEAR |
Lv07-09a |
Lv07-10 |
Meaning |
PRIEST=DIVSION OF PRIEST,get sacrifices |
Lv04-03b |
Lv04-03 |
Meaning |
YOUNG ADULT Bullock=BEGINNING ADULTHOOD |
Ex01-16b |
Is66-09 |
Names |
BirthStool=StoneStool(2 names) |
Dt03-09a |
Dt04-48 |
Names |
CHERMON = SRYON = SNYR=SYAN(4 names) |
Dt15-09a |
Dt24-15 |
Modal |
you MAY pray for vengence;no OBLIGATION |
Ex12-15b |
Dt16-08 |
Modal |
MUST eat mtzoh 1st night;MAY eat on rest |
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COMMENTS |
*1 The Talmud uses ordinary logic here (WHO MADE THE WIFE
A SLAVE). However I think it puchier to use Rabbi Ishmaels
methods by citing an EXPLICIT verse prohibiting making her a
slave!
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