English: “And there was no man” — is it possible that a great house like that wicked man’s had no man in it? The school of R’ Yishmael taught: that day was their festival, and they all went to their house of idolatry.
On the daf / in context: The empty house is explained by a public pagan festival; she stayed home claiming illness.
Type of Learning
Derash on the verse (school of R’ Yishmael) — not a numbered middah of the 13. A practical objection yields a historical setting for the scene.
What Is Learned
The house was empty because it was an Egyptian festival day; she alone remained, creating the private confrontation.