Q&A: On “Do Not Deviate” According to Rashi
On “Do Not Deviate” According to Rashi
Question
Good morning!
Have you ever written anything about Rashi’s interpretation of “do not deviate to the right or to the left” — even if he tells you that left is right…?
It seems that Rashi took even the Sifrei one step further (the Sifrei apparently speaks about a case where you are in doubt), and seemingly contradicts the Jerusalem Talmud on this issue.
(This is a topic “close” to what you dealt with in the last series in Ra’anana on “do not deviate”…)
What do you think?
Thanks!
Answer
Only about two weeks ago, in the book I’m writing on contemporary theology, I got to this point. And indeed I noted this difference, but I commented that even in Rashi it does not necessarily have to be interpreted literally. He understands that the instruction is addressed to the ordinary person, and so he describes things from that person’s point of view: even if you see (in your own eyes) that they are instructing that right is left, do as they instruct.
By the way, even in the plain meaning of the Sifrei, that interpretation is not necessary, for the same reason: “it appears in your eyes” means that this is indeed your conclusion. However, if one wants to reconcile it with the version in the Jerusalem Talmud, the literal interpretation is preferable.