Rabbi Ishmael Example Method:#23 of 36 ########################################################### # 10 YEAR Ayelet DAILY-RASHI-YOMI CYCLE # # Sep 2, 2000 # # Rashis 241-243 Of 7800 (3.1%) # # # # Reprinted with permission from Rashi-is-Simple, # # (c) 1999-Present, Dr. Hendel # # http://www.RashiYomi.Com/ # # # #Permission to reprint with this header but not for profit# # # # WARNING: READ with COURIER 10 (Fixed width) FONTS # ########################################################### REFERENCE: ---------- Todays unit is extracted from Rashi is Simple volume 7 Number 4. To see this particular posting please visit http://www.RashiYomi.Com/dt15-19b.htm RABBI ISHMAEL'S 13 EXAMPLE RULES -------------------------------- Recall that we just showed that the principle of CLIMAX is really an example of the Rabbi Ishmael GENERAL-DETAIL style. This rule demands seeing details as examples which should be generalized. We therefore will spend the next 3 issues on Biblical examples which are generalized. We will then spend 3 issues on Biblical examples that are specific. We will then be able to summarize these 6 issues as well as all the examples on Climax into a set of rules which deal with how Biblical EXAMPLES should be treated. Along the way we will clarify and classify the many CLIMAX examples that we have done. In these 3 issues we deal with Biblical EXAMPLES which should be totally generalized. #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# VERSE: Ex21-28a Ex21-17a Ex22-21a The following is a direct citation from Volume 7 Number 4 of Rashis is simple. BACKGROUND: ----------- In this volume, volume 7, of Rashi is Simple, we are presently reviewing Rabbi Ishmael's Biblical rules of interpretation. Our basic position is that Rabbi Ishmael's 13 rules of Biblical interpretation govern EXAMPLES. Thus when learning the Chumash you have to know --Rules of GRAMMAR --Rules of LOGIC --Rules of STYLE & NUANCES --Rabbi Ishmael's rules of EXAMPLES The simplest illustration of Rabbi Ishmael's rules occurs in Ex21-28a which states "When the OX of an adult gores the ox of another person ...then payment shall be made (for damamges)" A literal reading of the text would suggest that payment is ONLY made if an OX did the goring. Of course, the law is that you make payment if ANY animal of yours did damage. In other words, the EXAMPLE, OX, is generalized to mean any ANIMAL. Rashi on the tractate Pesachim 6 explicitly states the rule RULE: ----- Every Biblical example of a law SHOULD be generalized (unless otherwise indicated).*1 EXAMPLES -------- (67) Ex21-28a When an OX gores..then pay damages RASHI: The law applies when ANY animal gores The Bible used 'OX' since that was a typical animal owned (68) Ex21-17a A FEMALE witch should not be allowed to live RASHI: The law applies to ANY witch--male or female The Bible used 'FEMALE' witch since most witches were women (69) Ex22-21a If you hurt an ORPHAN or WIDOW I(God)will punish you RASHI: God will punish you if you cause anguish to ANY person The Torah used 'ORPHAN/WIDOW' since these people are usually picked on. NOTES ----- *1 This rule appears strange and contradicts the usual notion that every 'letter and word' in the Bible has SOME meaning Actually though Rabbi Ishmael had a dictum that the Bible uses human style--it prefers a good example, like "ox" to an abstract concept like "animal". #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# (C) Dr Hendel, 2000 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#