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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 Nu04-02a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1218.htm
      Brief Summary:
      • The levites start training at age 25;
      • they start actual Temple service at age 30.

    The table below presents presents two contradictory verses. Both verses talk about service of the Levites The underlined words highlight the contradiction. One verse says Levites start at 25 while the other verse says Levites start at 30. Which is it? Do the Levites start at 25 or 30? Rashi simply resolves this using the 2 Stages method:
    • The levites start training at age 25;
    • they start actual Temple service at age 30.

Summary Verse / Source Text of verse / Source
Levites start training at 25. Nu08-24 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, This is it what concerns the Levites: from 25 years old and upward they shall go to be posted on posts for theservice of the Tent of Meeting;
Levites start actual service at 30 Nu04-02a #####
Resolution: 2 Stages:
  • The levites start training at age 25;
  • they start actual Temple service at age 30.

Advanced Rashi: Traditional Rashi-ists would explain this contradiction by incorrectly appealing to word nuances or to alignment. For example aligning the two verses listed above we see a hinted contrast of come to be posted vs. to do work in the temple. This contrast of nuances hints at a distinction of actual work vs training to be posted.

We however have explained this Rashi using the contradiction method. What is important is the fact of contradiction. True there might be supportive nuances emanating from alignment but the fact of contradiction justifies a resolution. We try the three methods of resolution - 2 stages, 2 aspects, broad-literal meaning - and find that the 2 stages approach neatly suggests training-performance. This approach of seeking a natural resolution by appeal to real-world phenomena is characteristic of the contradiction method. In fact the contradiction method, although sometimes it uses verses, very often relies on intuitive logic to naturally resolve a textual contradiction by appeal to real world phenomena such as the training-performance sequence.


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