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      5. RASHI METHOD: CONTRADICTION
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi resolves contradictory verses using 3 methods.
      • (5a) Resolution using two aspects of the same event
      • (5b) Resolution using two stages of the same process
      • (5c) Resolution using broad-literal interpretation.
      This examples applies to Rashis Gn25-01a, Gn25-06a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h33n5.htm
      Brief Summary: 1C01-32 and Gn25-06 speak about Abraham's CONCUBINE, CONCUBINES. She was one person with 2 differents stages of personality development.

Acknowledgement:The following example is a response to a request and question by an email member of this group. If you have a question on a particular Rashi then email me at RJHendel@Juno.com..

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses speak about Abraham's concubines. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan. [Note the singular concubine.] while the other verse state But unto the sons of the concubines, that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts; and he sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country [Note the plural concubines.] Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 Aspects method: There was one concubine with two different personalities. Gn16-03 calls her Hagar the Egyptian, which literarlly means an alien who annoys while the other verse calls her Keturah which literally means stately incense column. We infer that when Abraham first married her Hagar was bratty, unprofessional and annoying. She asked for things by creating nuisances. However later in life Hagar was chaste, stately and regal. Hence there were two personalities to the same one person.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Abraham had one concubine 1C01-06 And the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bore Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan: Sheba, and Dedan.
Abraham had many concubines Gn25-06 But unto the sons of the concubines, that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts; and he sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
Resolution: 2 Aspects There was one concubine with two different personalities. Gn16-03 calls her Hagar the Egyptian, which literarlly means an alien who annoys while the other verse calls her Keturah which literally means stately incense column. We infer that when Abraham first married her Hagar was bratty, unprofessional and annoying. She asked for things by creating nuisances. However later in life Hagar was chaste, stately and regal. Hence there were two personalities to the same one person.

Advanced Rashi: This is a beautiful example of refutation of a flippant reading of Rashi. Rashi Gn25-06a states The word concubines is written deficiently indicating one concubine. But the word concubines is written plural and fully. It might appear that Rashi had a different text. But the correct simple reading of Rashi is The word Concubine [in the corresponding verse 1C01-32] is written deficiently or singularly. This creates a contradiction between the singular concubine in 1C01-32 and the plural concubines in Gn25-06. A resolution is created by assuming one concubine with two personalities. Such a reading of Rashi is professional and consistent with rules of logic. For further illuminating details on this Rashi please see Rule #1, Other Verses above. 


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