[Avodah] If and When

[Micha Berger via Avodah]

R' Yishmael famously (Mechilta BaChodesh-Yisro 11, Mishpatim 182 or
<http://j.mp/1SbnwEg>) says that "im" usually means that the decision
is up to you, but three times it's a chiyuv:
    - "Im mizbach avanim ta'aseh Li" (Shemos 20:21)
    - "Im kesef talveh es ami" (Shemos 22:24)
    - "Im taqriv minchas bikurim" (Vayiqra 2:14)

This is often explained in English as saying that "im" usually means "if",
but in these cases it takes on the rarer second meaning of "when".

I would prefer to propose a single common interpretation.

LAD, "im" introduces an implication -- X implies Y.

When X is a conditional, then so will the Y that depends on it.

When X is always obligated, then Y will also be always obligated,
but the "allways" is because X is.

:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             It's never too late
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