Page:Philip Birnbaum - ha-Siddur ha-Shalem (The Daily Prayer Book,1949).pdf/67

42 while the tithe might be eaten by anyone. Both the firstling and the tithe might be eaten, prepared for food in any fashion, anywhere in the city during two days and one night. The paschal lamb, however, had to be eaten on that night only—and not later than midnight. It might be eaten only by those numbered for it; nor might it be eaten except when roasted.

Rabbi Ishmael says: The Torah is interpreted by means of thirteen rules:

1. Inference is drawn from a minor premise to a major one, or from a major premise to a minor one.

2. From the similarity of words or phrases occurring in two passages it is inferred that what is expressed in the one applies also to the other.

3. A general principle, as contained in one or two biblical laws, is applicable to all related laws.

4. When a generalization is followed by a specification, only what is specified applies.

5. When a specification is followed by a generalization, all that is implied in the generalization applies.

6. If a generalization is followed by a specification and this in turn by a generalization, one must be guided by what the specification implies.