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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 example applies to Rashis Ex34-07b Ex20-05b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1210.htm
      Brief Summary: God rewards a) service from love to thousandS of generations and b) service from fear to only one thousand generations.

The table below presents two contradictory verses / verselets. Both verses speak about God's reward of those who serve him. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says God rewards to thousands of generations, while the other verse states God rewards to only one thousand generations. We see the contradiction---which is it? Does God reward to thousands or only one thousdand generations. Rashi simply resolves this contradiction using the 2 aspects method: As can be seen from the above verses God rewards and shows mercy (a) To those who love him for thousands of generations (b) To those who only serve Him (from fear) to only 1 thousand generations.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
God rewards (service from love) to thousands of generations Ex20-06 And showing mercy to thousands of those who love me, and keep my commandments.
God rewards (service from fear/watch) to only one thousand generations Dt07-09 Know therefore that the Lord your God, he is God, the faithful God, who watches (a) the covenant and mercy to those who love him and (b) to those who keep his commandments (from fear) to a thousand generations;
Resolution: 2 Aspects
    As can be seen from the above verses God rewards and shows mercy
  • (a) To those who love him for thousands of generations
  • (b) To those who only serve (from fear) to only 1 thousand generations.

Advanced Rashi: It might seem slightly arbitrary and picky that we emphasize proximity of words in these verses: to thousands of generations to those who love Him and watch his commandments vs. watches the convenant and treaty ....to those who watch his commandments to one thousand generations. Actually it is not the word order that is driving the interpretation of this Rashi. Rather this Rashi comment is driven by the contradiction. Resolution of a contradiction frequently does not even require a verse! Rather the force of the contradiction in and of itself encourages breaking up the applicability of the verses to two cases based on logic. The proximity of thousands vs. thousand to those who love him vs. those who watch his commandments is an afterthought that supports this distinction. It is not the driving force of the Rashi comment. Such a perspective on Rashi makes it more palatable. 


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