Q&A: A Gezerah Shavah Is Not Applied Partially vs. "Learn from It and from It"
A Gezerah Shavah Is Not Applied Partially vs. "Learn from It and from It"
Question
In one of the Rabbi’s recent lectures in Petah Tikva, the Rabbi mentioned the expression, “a gezerah shavah is not applied partially.” In Shevuot 31a, at the end of amud aleph, there is a discussion of “learn from it and from it” and “the Rabbis hold: learn from it but set it in its own place.” If so, the Sages do not seem to hold that “a gezerah shavah is not applied partially.”
I would appreciate it if the Rabbi could explain or refer me to an explanation.
Answer
I don’t think there is any connection between these rules. “Learn from it and from it” and “set it in its own place” mean learning the basic law, but leaving its details as fits the case being learned. But “a gezerah shavah applied partially” means learning only some of the laws, not only some of the details within a particular law. In Shevuot there, it means learning that one who imposes an oath upon himself is liable, but not learning that this also applies outside the presence of a religious court, as with one who was adjured by others regarding testimony.