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    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 Nu18-20a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n24.htm
    Brief Summary: Brief Summary: The Levites didn't a) initially inherit land in Israel and also didn't b) divide in future war booty.

The table below presents an aligned extract of verses or verselets in Nu18-20a Both verses/verselets discuss the lack of Levite portion in Israel. The alignment justifies the Rashi assertion that Levites did not a) inherit the land upon entry nor b) take apportionments in conquests

Verse Text of Verse Rashi comment
Nu18-20a
    And the Lord spoke to Aaron,
    • You shall have no inheritance in their land,
    • neither shall you have any apportionment among them;
    I am your part and your inheritance among the people of Israel.
Levites did not a) inherit the land upon entry nor b) take apportionments in conquests
Nu18-20a
    And the Lord spoke to Aaron,
    • You shall have no inheritance in their land,
    • neither shall you have any apportionment among them;
    I am your part and your inheritance among the people of Israel.

Advanced Rashi: Everyone agrees that there is an alignment with an emphasis on two nuances, inheritance and apportionment. Rashi and Raavad explain as we have presented above - no inheritance on initial inheritance and no apportionment on conquests.

But the Rambam states There is no inheritance on initial conquest nor apportionment in the three lands annexed to Israel at the time of the coming of the Messiah. But Levites do take apportionment in conquests! Remarkable! The Raavad demurs: But the Bible explicitly states that the Levite 10% is in exchange for inheritance. So this would apply to conquests.

The Rambam can be defended by the extra underlined word in this verse, Nu18-21: And, behold, I have given the sons of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, an exchange for their service which they serve, the service of the Tent of Meeting. So, the Rambam argues, the Levite 10% is only in exchange for inheritances. The Rambam does accept the double nuances of the alignment. However the Rambam argues that the two nuances refer to the initial inheritance and the future inheritance at the time of King Messiah (Both of these inheritances were promised to the Patriarch Abraham). Since however the verse explicitly delimits the 10% tithe exchange to inheritances it logically follows that Levites can apportion conquests.

The above explanation of the controversy of the early authorities is a peach of an example of how to apply the methods of this list to the resolution of controversies. Notice how all authorities agree on the fact of alignment and the resolution by two nuances. However Rambam adds an additional textual exegesis which delimits the two nuances to inheritances while Rashi and Raavad do not.


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