#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*
  -----------------------------------------------------------
  |      Rashi is Simple Version 2.0                         |
  |      (C) Dr Hendel, Summer 2000                          |
  |       http://www.RashiYomi.Com                           |
  | PERMISSION to reprint WITH this header if NOT for profit |
  ------------------------------------------------------------

VERSE: Ex21-31a

RULE:
=====
Verses are sometimes stated in a CLIMACTIC fashion. This
CLIMACTIC fashion can in turn shed light on the meaning
of the individual verses. To put it another way although
the individual verses may have many meanings nevertheless
the CLIMACTIC development of the paragraph can indicate
a preference for certain meanings.


EXAMPLE
=======
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ex21-29 You pay ransom  for an ox killing a MAN or WOMAN
Ex21-31 You DO THE SAME for an ox killing a CHILD(Boy or girl)
Ex21-32 You PAY 30 flat for an ox killing a SLAVE(male-female)
            *1                              *2
--------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES
-----
*1 We see a difference in law:
   --Adults and children are ransomed with their WORTH
   --slaves              are ransomed with a     FLAT AMOUNT


*2 We see a climactic development. These 3 verses speak about
   --ADULTS, who are full fledged Jews and
     who are obligated in all commandments

   --CHILDREN, who are not obligated in all commandments
     but who will one day grow up to be obligated

   --NONJEWISH SLAVES who are not obligated in all commandments
     and who will not necessarily grow up to be obligated

   Thus the ADULTS and CHILDREN pay their personal worth
   The SLAVES pay a FLAT FEE


COMMENTS
========
One can legitimately ask >What was learned from the CLIMACTIC
DEVELOPMENT<. We basically learn 2 things

--We learn that the phrase >if the ox gore children then THE
  SAME LAW APPLIES<--this phrase >THE SAME LAW<, refers to
  the fact that evaluation of ransom is by the persons
  worth. We learn this because CHILDREN are LIKE ADULTS
  in that they will one day be obligated in all commandments.
  CHILDREN are dissimilar to SLAVES

  In other words the phrase >THE SAME LAW APPLIES< is
  ambiguous and COULD refer to many things. However because
  the BEGINNING and END of the paragraph deal with ransom
  therefore we assume the middle deals with ransom also


--We similarly learn that the ambiguous phrase >if the ox
  gores a SLAVE< refers to a non-jewish slave(not a jewish
  slave). We learn this because a JEWISH SLAVE is a full
  fledged Jewish adult (and hence if he was gored the owner
  would have to pay as ransom his full value). I conclude
  that the word >SLAVE< in this verse refers to the type
  of >SLAVE< this is inferior to an ADULT and CHILD--hence
  it refers to a NON JEWISH SLAVE


Again we emphasize that the meaning of the ambiguous phrases
--SLAVE
--SAME LAW
comes not from the meaning of WORDS but rather from CONTEXT


REFERENCE: For other examples of Rashis from CLIMACTIC
development visit url http://www.RashiYomi.Com/example8.htm

Interestingly some people are surprised how whole laws can
be derived from a CLIMACTIC DEVELOPMENT on verses whose
individual meaning is ambiguous. For another example in
this Biblical portion see Ex21-06:14 which deal
with the 3 types of people who acquire someone elses
property and have to watch it (Someone who watches without
pay; a paid guard; and a renter) Although NOTHING in the
text indicates what the middle chapter is talking about
a paid guard nevertheless the CLIMAX indicates it is talking
about a paid guard. See the above URL for other examples



RULE USED: The example rules of Rabbi Ishmael
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website

Volume 8 Number 5


#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*