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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 Dt31-02b
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h33n4.htm
      Brief Summary: Moses was vigorous at the time of his death but God did not ALLOW him to lead.

The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses speak about Moses in his capacity as a leader. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says Moses was strong at his death and hadn't loss any vigor while the other verse states Moses could not come and go. Which is it? Was Moses capable of leading or not. Rashi simply resolves this using the broad-literal method: Moses was strong enough to lead but God did not allow him to lead.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Moses was strong and full of vigor at his death. Dt34-07 And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Moses could not come and go Dt31-02 And he said unto them: 'I am a hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in; and HaShem hath said unto me: Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Resolution: Broad Literal We should translate the word can not as May not: I may no more go out and come in; and HaShem hath said unto me: Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

    Advanced Rashi: We have made the above derivation using the contradiction method. An alternate or supplemental derivation uses the Rabbi Ishmael Style method which sees the verse in a Theme-Detail style as follows: And he said unto them: 'I am a hundred and twenty years old this day;
    • General: I can no more go out and come in;
    • Detail: and HaShem hath said unto me: Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
    In other words Moses statement of not being able to come in and out is general and could mean lots of things but the 2nd verselet is specific and details and narrows the meaning of the 1st verselet: God said no and hence, that is the reason I may not come in and out.


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