Othniel Who Restored the Laws Forgotten After Moses

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 24:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Caleb said: whoever strikes Kiriath-Sefer" (Judges 1:12). It was taught: one thousand seven hundred a fortiori inferences, gezera shava arguments, and fine points of the scribes were forgotten during the days of mourning for Moses. Said Rabbi Abbahu: even so, Othniel ben Kenaz restored them through his sharp dialectic, as it says, "And Caleb said: whoever strikes Kiriath-Sefer and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter" (Judges 1:12). What is "Achsah"? That whoever sees her becomes angry (ko'es) at his own wife.

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TorahOral TorahJudges

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