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From: R. Kovacs
Subject: The slash notation
Date: 24 Sivan 5783
Subject: A story about contexts
This reminds me of something from my grandfather's time.
In Munkacs, there were two butchers. Both kosher, both under the same hechsher, both certified by the rav. But they were not the same.
One butcher, Reb Mendel, was known for strictness. He would reject meat that other butchers would accept. His prices were higher. His customers were particular.
The other butcher, Reb Yitzchak, was known for leniency. He followed the law exactly but not beyond. His prices were lower. His customers were practical.
Neither was wrong. Both were kosher. But if someone said I buy from the butcher, you did not know which one. You only knew they bought meat.
If they said I buy from Reb Mendel, you knew something specific. The context mattered.
Perhaps our slash notation is like saying I buy from the butcher. It says something true. But the specifics remain private.
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