Commentary for Shevuot 8:12

ואמרינן במאי קא מיפלגי רבי דריש כללי ופרטי ורבי יוסי בר' יהודה דריש

and bonds, which, though they are movable, are not of intrinsic value. [Hence, since Rabbi expounds 'amplifications and limitations', he agrees with R'Akiba.] Rabina said to Amemar: Does Rabbi really expound 'amplifications and limitations'? Surely, Rabbi expounds 'generalisations and specifications'! For it is taught:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Bek. 51a.');">⁸</span> [Then thou shalt take] an awl.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XV, 17, referring to a Hebrew slave who does not desire to be set free at the end of six years.');">⁹</span> Hence I deduce that an awl may be used; whence do I deduce also a sharp wooden prick, thorn, needle, borer, or stylus? - It is said: Thou shalt take - anything that may be taken by hand. This is the opinion of R'Jose, son of R'Judah. Rabbi said: and awl - just as an awl is of metal, so only those things which are of metal [may be used]. And we explained the reason for their argument thus: Rabbi expounds 'generalisations and specifications',<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Explaining the verse thus: Thou shalt take - a 'generalisation'; an awl - a 'specification'; and thrust it through his ear and into the door - another 'generalisation' (i.e., anything that may be thrust) ; in such a case, only those things which are similar to the specification (in the present instance, made of metal) are included. But R. Jose includes everything, excluding only the use of a poison which is powerful enough to bore a hole.');">¹⁰</span> and R'Jose son of R'Judah expounds

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