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 examples applies to Rashis Gn16-15a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w34n17.htm Brief Summary: God ordered Hagar to call her son Ishmael. Abraham FOLLOWED Hagar's order and so named him.

The table below presents two contradictory verses / verse phrases. Both verses / verse phrases talk about the naming of Ishmael. The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse / verse phrase says Hagar was told to name him Ishmael while the other verse / verse phrase says that Abraham named him Ishmael. Which is it? Did Hagar or Abraham name him? Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 Aspects method: Hagar received the order to name him Ishmael. Abraham was aware of the order and so named him.

Summary	Verse / Source	Text of verse / Source
Hagar ordered to name her son Ishmael	Gn16-11	And the angel of the Lord said to her [Hagar], Behold, you are with child, and shall bear a son, and you shall call his name Ishmael; because the Lord has heard your affliction.
Abraham named him Ishmael	Gn16-15a	And Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called his son’s name, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael
Resolution:	2 Aspects	Hagar received the order to name him Ishmael. Abraham was aware of the order and so named him.

Advanced Rashi: Several points can be made about this Rashi.
• The simplest point is that Hagar returned and verbally told Abraham about the prophecy who then followed the order.
• Rashi literally says: Abraham was prophetically aware of Hagar's order and therefore named his son Ishmael. Rashi in fact is dealing with another aspect of Ishmael: Abraham was ordered to banish Hagar. All of a sudden Hagar comes back. But that contradicts Abraham's order. So it stands to reason that Abraham was prophetically told of the order to Hagar and therefore accepted him back.
• The above comments are superficial. A deep and profound approach to Rashi is the following: Was it just Hagar who had her prayers answered? Did not Abraham explicitly pray to God after Ishmael was born, If only Ishmael will live Gn17-18.? Was not Abraham upset, when Ishmael grew up and misbehaved, that Hagar had to be banished Gn21-10:13? Thus Hagar's return and the birth of Ishmael was an answer not only to Hagar's prayers but to Abraham's as well. Consequently the verse emphasizes that it was Abraham who named him Ishmael because he shared with Hagar in the prophecy of having God answer the prayers!