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VERSE: Nu15-34a
======================== Nu15-34a ==============================
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 Nu15-34a
----------------
Nu15-32:34 states
-------------------------------------
And while the people of Israel were
in the wilderness, they found a man
who gathered sticks upon the sabbath
day. And those who found him gathering
sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron,
and to all the congregation. And they
put him in custody, because
IT WAS NOT CLARIFIED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO HIM
-------------------------------------
By contrast Ex32-14 states
-----------------------------------------
You shall keep the sabbath therefore;
for it is holy to you;
EVERY ONE WHO DEFILES IT SHALL SURELY
BE PUT TO DEATH
for whoever does any work in it,
that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
-----------------------------------------
We see the CONTRADICTION.
How can Nu15-32 say that the penalty
for Sabbath descecration is unknown
if Ex31-14 explicitly says that the penalty is death?
Rashi resolves this CONTRADICTION by using a
BROAD-LITERAL interpretation of the
CAPPED phrase
----------------------------------------------
IT WAS NOT CLARIFIED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO HIM
----------------------------------------------
Rashi points out that the next verse Nu15-35 states
----------------------------------------------------
And the Lord said to Moses,
The man shall be surely put to death;
all the congregation shall stone
him with stones outside the camp.
----------------------------------------------------
Rashi concludes
--------------------------------------------------
The GENERAL idea of what
should be done with him was known--
he was liable to a death penalty.
But the PARTICULAR details of
which death penalty was not yet clarified.
The purpose of Nu15-35 is to clarify
that the KNOWN death penalty for Sabbath
descecration is implemented by stoning
--------------------------------------------------
In this case Rashi resolves the CONTRADICTION
by interpreting NOT CLARIFIED broadly---SOME ASPECTS
of it were NOT CLARIFIED while some were indeed known.
By contrast, a LITERAL interpretation of NOT CLARIFIED
would mean NOTHING is known.
LIST520a below gives other examples of CONTRADICTORY
verses resolved thru TWO ASPECTS
=================================================================
ITEM DETAIL
======================== ========================================
RASHI RULE CLASS: CONTRADICTION
RASHI SUBRULE CLASS BROAD-LITERAL
RASHI WORKBOOK PRINCIPLE #17
SEE BELOW LIST520a
A list of verse pairs with BROAD-LITERAL usage
=================================================================
=================== LIST520a ================================
A list of verse pairs with BROAD-LITERAL usage
=============================================================
VERSE-1 VERSE-2 HOW THE TWO TEXTS ARE COMBINED
======== ======= ============================================
Nu15-34a Ex31-14 Death penalty punishment known;unknown which
Lv15-12a Lv15-12 When the IMPURITY STOPS..he...& becomes PURE
Lv02-03 Lv02-02 FROM TIME of offering PRIESTS eat LEFTOVERS
Gn47-19a Gn41-30 God THREATENED 7 famine years;brought only 2
Gn12-01 Gn11-31 Leave PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY-Fathers influence
Dt28-30b Jo24-31 After I(Moses) & MY STUDENTS DIE you-ll sin
Dt28-30a Lv19-24 HOLY in 4th-no eat;DESCECRATE=can eat in 5th
Nu22-34a Nu24-16 Claimed to know God but donkey knew more*4
Nu22-29b Nu22-05 Asked to curse Jews but cant kill donkey*3
Lv07-19c Dt12-27 All PURE PEOPLE whom the owner DESIGNATESeat
Lv06-22a Lv06-19 All MALE PRIESTS who COULD OFFER may eat*2
Ex21-06 Lv25-10 Slave works FOREVER = Till 50th Jubilee year
Ex11-08a Ex12-30 Your SERVANTS=ROYAL PRESENCE shall expel me
Ex12-19a Ex13-07 Prohibits bread in your HOUSE/BORDERS=DOMAIN
Dt15-17 Lv25-10 Slaves work FOREVER=A LONG TIME=TILL JUBILEE
Lv07-09 Lv07-10 The PRIEST=DIVSION OF PRIEST,gets sacrifice
Lv04-03 Lv04-03 A Young ADULT Bullock = BEGINNING ADULTHOOD
Lv10-02 Lv10-05 Died from FIRE=SPIRITUAL FIRE*1
NOTES
-----
*1 Hence the fire did not burn their clothes
The idea that the FIRES mentioned in Dt05
or Ex20 was the FIRE OF PROPHECY vs REAL
FIRE is supported by many verses and
themes (Dt05-21). There are other Biblical
supports for this idea but this will suffice
for now.*10
*2 Also echoed in Rashi Lv07-07b (OFFERING PRIEST
means PRIESTS WHO COULD OFFER)
*3 Thus the request to kill the Jews is seen as a WISH
(BROAD interpretation)not as something real
*4 That Bilam didnt know what his donkey knew is
interpreted literally. That he claimed to know
Gods thoughts is considered a LIE(Broad, non-
literal interpretation).
----------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES --------------
*10 It does not detract from the greatness of the
miracle of revelation that the FIRE means FIRE
OF PROPHECY.
For Judaism does not view Gods greatness in His
ability to make a mountain smoke with Fire.
Rather Judaism views Gods greatness in His
ability to make people burn with Spiritual Prophecy
=============================================================
---------------------------------------------------
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Volume 30 Number 6
#*#*#*# (C) 2000-2006, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#
Volume 30 Number 6