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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2007, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
    4. RASHI METHOD: ALIGNMENT
    BRIEF EXPLANATION: Aligning two almost identically worded verselets can suggest
    • (4a) 2 cases of the same incident or law
    • (4b) emphasis on the nuances of a case
    • (4c) use of broad vs literal usage of words
    This examples applies to Rashis Lv21-05b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/lv21-05a.htm
    Brief Summary: Dont SHAVE|DESTROY beard sides - only by-RAZOR prohibited

    Biblical verse
  • Lv19-27, discussing the prohibition of adult Jewish males from shaving the sides of their beards, states ... neither shalt thou destroy the corners of thy beards.
  • Verse Lv21-05, discussing an almost identical prohibition on priests, of shaving beard sides, states ... neither shall they shave off the corners of their beard,

    The alignment focuses on both
  • destruction
  • shaving of the beard sides.

    Hence the Rashi comment:
  • It is prohibited to use a razor to destroy the beard sides since a razor is both destructive and shaves.
  • However it is not Biblically prohibited to remove beard sides with chemicals or scissors since although these items shave they are not destructive. (E.g. You don't use a scissors for destructive purposes).

Advanced Rashi: This email list generally does not discuss questions of Jewish law. However the above discussion points to the basis of deciding whether electric shavors may be used for shaving. The sole issue is whether the shavers are destructive (use a razor-like cutting) or non-destructive (use a scissor-like cutting).


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