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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 Ex21-06d
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex21-03b.htm

    Note the contradiction in the following verselets.
  • Verse Ex21-05:06 discussing the slave who does not wish to go free states But if the servant shall plainly say: I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free; then his master shall bring him unto G-d, and shall bring him to the door, or unto the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.
  • But Verse Lv25-10 discussing slaves states And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof; it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

We see the contradiction: Which is it: Does a slave who refused to go free work forever? If so does he go free on the Jubilee?

    Rashi resolves this contradiction using the broad-literal method of interpretation:
  • The phrase the slave works forever means the slave works a long time while
  • the phrase all go free at Jubilee is interpreted as is.

Advanced Rashi: This is perhaps the most famous of all the Biblical contradictions. The method of resolution is a classic application of the broad-literal method. Notice that without the contradiction I would not think of translation forever as meaning a long time. The contradiction is the driving force behind this translation.


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