[Avodah] rishonim, yevamos 24a, ain mikreh.....

[Micha Berger]

On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 10:55:34AM -0700, harveybenton at yahoo.com wrote:
: it seems to me that the most conservative of the Rishonim mentioned
: above, would suggest not interpreting halacha and/or scriptural directives
: allegorically.  What then should we do with: scriptural commands to:
: 1. give 40 lashes (not 39)
: 2. count omer 50 days (not 49)

But also sheva shabasos, so this one is more complicated anyway. I
already gave the Maadanei Yom Tov's answer to 49 vs 50 -- on 49 days
you're cointing time since day 0. Including day 0, there are 50 days.
(He then makes a chiluq between day 0 the year of yetzi'as Mitzrayim and
in subsequent years. Since YM was at midnight, the 15th couldn't be one
of the temimos. Therefore, the 50 days started one day later.)

: 3. ayin tachas ayin, shein tachas shein literally (not mammon);
: 4. eat matzah 6 days v. 7 days;
: 5. not outside on shabbas (a la karaites).
: 6. lo tevashel gdi b'cheilev imo...

1- Derashah isn't allegory. Your question is prima facea absurd because
EVERY rishon accepts the validity of derashos. So how can raising a
discussion amongst rishonim about what parts of Tanakh are metaphoric
possibly be a question on derashos?

2- The morality of ayin tachas ayin stands kepeshuto -- as the very same
rishonim point out. Peshat is a mussar lesson, and is not ignorable. RRW
and I discussed this just last week. Similarly other taamei hamitzvos
and peshat in the pasuq.

See RSRH on lo sevasheil gedi.

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Today is the 49th day, which is
micha at aishdas.org        7 weeks in/toward the omer.
http://www.aishdas.org   Malchus sheb'Malchus: What is the ultimate
Fax: (270) 514-1507                            goal of perfect unity?