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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 Nu22-29b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/nu22-29b.htm
      Brief Summary: What fools! Bilam is asked to defeat JEWS by CURSE but needs a SWORD to kill his DONKEY.

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses speak about Bilam's capacity to kill. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says Bilam can kill a whole nation, the Jews, via a curse, while the other verse says Bilam could only kill his donkey with a sword. Which is it? Did Bilam have the capacity to kill by curse or only by sword?

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Kill Jewish people by curse Nu22-06 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me; peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.'
Can only kill donkey by sword Nu22-29 And Balaam said unto the ass: 'Because thou hast mocked me; I would there were a sword in my hand, for now I had killed thee.'
Resolution: Broad-literal Bilam was a charalatan. In actuality he could kill by sword like all people. But Moab fantasied that he could kill by curse!

Rashi resolves this contradiction using the broad-litral method. In actuality Bilam was not a prophet but a charlatan. He could only kill by the sword like other humans. But in fantasy his dream interpretations were so good that people mistakingly thought of him as a prophet who could but utter a few words of curse and kill an entire nation.

By using the table structure with underlines we are able to participate and empathize with Rashi in construction of the Rashi comment.


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