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From: Russell Hendel <rhendel@saber.towson.edu>
Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 23:37:45 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: The Gematria in Nu06-05

Alexander Heppenheimer in v32n40 gives a very lengthy response to
my question about "What is the real reason for avoiding nuts on
Rosh Hashana" as well as "Should we be following laws based on
Gematrias". Most of his comments were very informative and brought
new issues to light (For example I was unaware of the Mordechai)

2 Small corrections: Alex incorrectly argues against my claim that
doing rabbinical ordinances because of gematrias is superstitious
and hence prohibited" by citing the famous Sifrah on Nu06-05 that
if a person says "I vow to abstain from wine" then he must abstain
for 30 days. The Talmud derives this because the GEMATRIA of the
verses words "he shall be in his nazariteness (YHYH)"is 30. (To be
fair to Alex he offers other arguments against my superstitious
classification)

But according to the Malbim the derivation is NOT from the Gematria
Rather the derivation is from the fact that the Hebrew word WILL BE
always denotes EMPHASIS and hence a nontransient period (The minimum
non transient period in many parts of Jewish law (like renting) is
30 days)

Even without this Malbim it is an accepted principle that "Quantities come
from Moses at Sinai". In other words the law was NOT derived from the
Gematria but from a Sinaitic tradition.

So...I don't know of any laws which were DERIVED from Gematrias...and
hence following Alex's sources I ask if we are allowed to follow
the recommendation of the Rma not to eat nuts seeing that the Rma's
1st reason is a numerical association.

My 2nd point is on Alexs citation of Rambam, Shechitah 10:12-13
where Rambam states that we do not use Medical Authorities to override
classification of TRAYFAH in an Animal (ie a deadly disease).Correct! But
my understanding is that it is only in certain Biblical commandments where
we do not use Medical authorities. In certain areas (eg violation of
Shabbath) and in all Rabbinical ordinances my understanding is that
we do use Medical authorities.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA; RHendel@Towson.edu
Moderator Rashi is Simple
http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
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