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      5. RASHI METHOD: CONTRADICTION
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Rashi resolves contradictory verses using 3 methods.
      • (5a) Resolution using two aspects of the same event
      • (5b) Resolution using two stages of the same process
      • (5c) Resolution using broad-literal interpretation.
      This example applies to Rashis Lv19-20e
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1608.htm
      Brief Summary: a) You have till the next morning to pay a day worker b) You have till the next evening to pay a night worker

    The table below presents presents two contradictory sets of verses. Both verse sets talk about paying workers on time. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse set says don't delay payment till morning while the other verse says the sun shall not set over him [that is, his wages.] Which is it? Do you have till morning or evening to pay wages? Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 aspects method: (1) If a person works by day then you have all night, till the following morning, to obtain money to pay him (2) But if a person works by night then you have all day, till the following sunset (evening), to obtain money to pay him.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Don't delay paying a day-worker till the next morning Lv19-13 You shall not defraud your neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of he who is hired shall not remain with you until the morning.
Don't delay paying a night worker till the (next day's) sunset Dt24-14:15 You shall not oppress a hired person who is poor and needy, whether he is of your brothers, or of your strangers who are in your land inside your gates At his day you shall give him his hire, nor shall the sun go down upon this payment; for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it; lest he cry against you to the Lord, and it should be sin to you.
Resolution: 2 Aspects:
  • (1) If a person works by day then you have all night, till the following morning, to obtain money to pay him
  • (2) But if a person works by night then you have all day, till the following sunset (evening), to obtain money to pay him.

Advanced Rashi: About 10 years ago we had a Rashi-Rambam series,which we discontinued. This series focused on differences between Rashi and Rambam in biblical commentary. These verses on employee payment are one of the few examples where Rashi is more explanatory than Rambam. For Rambam simply lists the laws - a day worker must be paid by the next morning and a night worker by the next sunset - while Rashi explains the reasons for the laws: The half day wait gives the employer time to obtain money to pay the worker/employee. 


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