Principles of Rabbi Yishmael

Rabbi Yishmael says: The Torah is expounded by thirteen principles: 1. An inference from a lenient law to a strict one, and vice versa. 2. An inference drawn from identical words in two passages. 3. A general principle derived from one text or two related texts. 4. A general law followed by specific examples [where the law applies exclusively to those examples]. 5. A specific example followed by a general law [where the law applies to everything implied in the general statement]. 6. A general law followed by specific examples and concluding with a general law: here you may infer only cases similar to the examples. 7. When a general statement requires clarification by a specific example, or a specific example requires clarification by a general statement [then rules 4 and 5 do not apply]. 8. When a particular case, already included in the general statement, is expressly mentioned to teach something new, that special provision applies to all other cases included in the general statement. 9. When a particular case, though included in the general statement, is expressly mentioned with a provision similar to the general law, such a case is singled out to lessen the severity of the law, not to increase it. 10. When a particular case, though included in the general statement, is explicitly mentioned with a provision differing from the general law, it is singled out to lessen in some respects, and in others to increase, the severity of the law. 11. When a particular case, though included in the general statement, is explicitly mentioned with a new provision, the terms of the general statement no longer apply to it, unless Scripture indicates explicitly that they do apply. 12. A matter elucidated from its context, or from the following passage. 13. Also, when two passages [seem to] contradict each other, [they are to be elucidated by] a third passage that reconciles them. May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that the Temple be speedily rebuilt in our days, and grant us our share in Your Torah. And may we serve You there in reverence, as in the days of old and as in former years.