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 *#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#