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Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 21:39:56 -0400
From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Subject: Re: People who never sinned

Lazer Abrahamson in an erudite analysis of the "four who did not sin
agadah" mentioned the verse in Ecclesiastes: "For there is no person who
does not sin" and several commentaries in the talmud.

However Rashi on this very verse answers the assumed question (Is it really
assumed in Judaism that everyone sins?). Rashi suggests that this verse and
the following form one unit:  "For when everyone in the country is sinning
(then) don't pay attention to what they say (about you)"

A similar hybrid verse occurs at the end of  Gen 1 "And God said (to
Adam)..behold I give (TO) YOU all vegetation to eat..... And TO THE ANIMALS
also......

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA
rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu