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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
      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 Ex31-02a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
      Brief Summary: Abraham called to an affair for God; God announced the reputation of God

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses say the same three Hebrew words. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says ....Abraham called to an affair for the sake of God while the other verse says ...God announced the reptutation - of God (of mercy) Which is it? Do the identical three Hebrew words mean announcement to an affair for God or an announcement of the reputation of God. Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 case method: There are two different punctuations to the same three Hebrew words! One verse has a pausal punctuation after the word called, while the other verse has a pausal punctuation after the word name/reptutation. Hence one verse is translated Abraham called: an affair for God while the other verse is translated God announced the reputation, of God. [In our translation we have indicated the pausal word using the English comma].

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
God announced His reputation: He is Merciful, forgiving... Ex31-02 ... God announced the reputation, of God (God of mercy...)
Abraham calls/invites to an affair for God: Gn12-08 ....Abraham built an altar and ...invited, to an affair for God
Resolution: 2 Cases There are two different punctuations to the same three Hebrew words! One verse has a pausal punctuation after the word called, while the other verse has a pausal punctuation after the word name/reptutation. Hence one verse is translated Abraham called: an affair for God while the other verse is translated God announced the reputation, of God. [In our translation we have indicated the pausal word using the English comma].

Advanced Rashi: The Hebrew words Kuph Resh Aleph can mean announce or call/invite. Similarly the Hebrew word Shin Mem can mean reputation or for the sake of.

For example Ex31-02 is translated See I announce the reputation of Bezalel..... Here the Hebrew word Shin-Mem is interpreted best as reputation, and the Hebrew root Kuph Resh Aleph is best translated as an announcement

By contrast Is44-05 clearly indicates by its parallel structure that the Hebrew Kuph Resh Aleph means call and the Hebrew Beth Shin Mem means for the sake of. Hence the verse is interpreted to means calling for the sake of God. Note that calling for God may be more appropriate here but inviting for God is more appropriate for Abraham since he had offered sacrifices and invited (called) people to partake of them.


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