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VERSE: Gn21-15a
======================== Gn21-15a ==============================
SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 10 main goals was the resolution of
contradictions. These contradictions typically arise
from two verses stating contradictory things.
We call this the RASHI RULE OF CONTRADICTION.
Rashi had three methods to resolve contradiction. If
the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two aspects of the same item then
we employ the TWO ASPECTS method of resolution. If
the CONTRADICTION could be resolved by viewing the
contradictory verses as two stages of the same process then
we employ the TWO STAGES submethod. Finally if the
CONTRADICTION could be resolved by retranslating the verses
using broader or more literal meanings then we use the
BROAD-LITERAL submethod.
EXAMPLE Gn21-15a
-------------------------
Note the CONTRADICTION in the following verses
Gn21-14 states--Abraham sent her with [enough]water
Gn21-15 states--The water ran out
We see the CONTRADICTION. Which is it? Did he
give her enough water or not?
Rashi resolves this using the 2 ASPECTS method
of resolution.
-----------------------------------------
- Abraham gave her enough water for a HEALTHY person
- But Ishamel was SICK and hence the water ran out
-----------------------------------------
Note, the Biblical text itself does not say that
Ishmael was sick. However Rashi introduces this
distinction to resolve the apprarent CONTRADICTION
Note also that Rashi interprets
---------------------------------
Abraham gave her water
---------------------------------
to mean
---------------------------------
Abraham gave her ENOUGH water
---------------------------------
This too is an example of a reasonable
supposition.
LIST510b below gives other examples of CONTRADICTORY
verses resolved thru TWO ASPECTS
=================================================================
ITEM DETAIL
======================== ========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS: CONTRADICTION
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS 2 ASPECTS
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #14
SEE BELOW LIST510b
List of verses with Contradiction resolved by 2 cases
=================================================================
=================== LIST510b =================================
List of verses with Contradiction resolved by 2 cases
LIST510b continues LIST510a
==============================================================
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======= ======= ==============================================
Gn21-14 Gn21-15 Enough for a healthy person;but he was sick
Dt28-63 Dt28-49 GOD will rejoice in bringing an ENEMY on us
Dt28-11 Dt28-02 Levite brings first fruits from his 48 cities
Dt28-11 Dt28-05 Convert BRINGS 1st fruits;DOES NOT do recital
Dt19-17 Dt19-16 2 LITIGANTS in case; 1 LITIGANT is maligned
Dt12-13 1K18-20 PROPHETS can temporarily suspend laws
Nu35-04 Nu35-05 1000 cubits for animals/herds;2nd 1000 gardens
Lv07-30 Lv07-34 FAT is offered;BREAST given to Priest*1
Lv05-13 Lv05-11 Its a SIN SAC;EATING rights are as MINCHAH*2
Ex25-03 Ex30-13 Two sources: REQUIRED silver tax &VOLUNTARY*3
Ex24-12 Nu27-05 The 10 commmandments cover all areas of law
Gn37-10 Gn37-11 PUBLICLY:Jacob disagreed;PRIVATELY:agreed*4
NOTES
-----
*1 Here are the full set of verses
---------------------------------------------
Lv07-34 I have given BREAST and FAT to Priest
Lv03-03 Fat is offered on altar Fire
---------------------------------------------
Hence we read Lv07-30 as follows
--------------------------------------------------
Owner brings
the [for-the-altar] fire:
[namely] FAT on breast is brought
to WAIVE IT[that is the BREAST not the FAT]
before God.
--------------------------------------------------
*2 The Minchah Eating rights are as follows
- Sin offerings are never eaten by priests
- Ordinary Minchahs are eaten by Priests
- Minchahs with a Priest owner are not eaten
In short all MINCHAH EATING laws apply.
There is an ironic subtlety here.
The verse says
-----------------------------
It will to the PRIEST as a MINCHAH
-------------------------------
Rashi literally says
---------------------------------------------------
If a PRIEST offered it no one would eat it
---------------------------------------------------
It thus APPEARS that Rashi is PUNNING on the
word PRIEST---
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It will be to a PRIEST OWNER like a MINCHAH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
But this is not necessary. The verse simply
means
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It will be to the PRIEST [offerer] as a MINCHAH
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
This implies
----------------------------------
- If it is an ordinary Minchah the
PRIEST OFFERER can eat it
- If it is a PRIEST OWNED Minchah
then no one eats it
----------------------------------
Thus Rashi was not PUNNING but rather
emphasizing one extreme case of the
simple meaning of the text.
*3
Ex25-01:03 states
-----------------------------------
Command the Jews to take DONATIONS
whoever wishes to DONATE.
And these are the DONATIONS you should take
...gold SILVER and COPPER
-----------------------------------
But Ex30-11:13 states
-------------------------------------
When you make a CENSUS people
should give HALF A SHEKEL of silver
-------------------------------------
This is further spelled out at Ex38-25:28
--------------------------------------------
The silver from the half shekels was so much
and so much and used to make the silver stands
for the boards and the curtain hooks
--------------------------------------------
We see the CONTRADICTION: Was the silver a VOLUNTARY
donation or a REQUIRED TAX?
Rashi answers by distinguishing TWO CASES of the silver
-----------------------------------------------------
- There was a REQUIRED TAX of HALF SHEKEL used for the
stands and curtain hooks
- There was an ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY TAX---the silver
gathered was used to make silver utensils in the
sanctuary
-----------------------------------------------------
*4 PUBLICLY: He disagreed so as not to further inflame
the brothers who hated Joseph
PRIVATELY: He agreed because he believed in the dream
========================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 31 Number 16
#*#*#*# (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 31 Number 16