SUCCINT SUMMARY:
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One of Rashis 5 main goals is the explanation of grammar
similar to the explanations we find in modern textbooks. We
call this the Rashi rule of GRAMMAR.

Most people are familiar with those parts of grammar that
deal with the individual word--for example, the rules of verb
conjugation.

However an equally important part of grammar are the rules
of development in paragraphs: Given a paragraph theme what
types of sentences can exist in that paragraph and what are
their relations to the central theme. The rules of paragraph
development also apply to chapter development: How are the
constituent paragraphs of a chapter related to the central
theme. For this reason we call this Rashi subrule, the rule
of CONSECUTIVE PARAGRAPHS.

Rashi knew 4 means of relating consecutive sentences or
consecutive paragraphs in a paragraph or chapter:
- CAUSE
- CONTRAST
- ENABLEMENT
- UNIFYING THEME.

EXAMPLE Ex13-17b Ex13-18 Ex13-16:18
-----------------------------------
The complete Biblical text is as follows
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When Pharoh let the Jews go
God did not guide them thru Philistine land
Because it was a near route
Because if they saw war [AND WERE NEAR EGYPT] they might turn back
[INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM GO THE NEAR-ROUTE]
God turned them to go by the wilderness route
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Rashi makes the comments we have placed in brackets
----------------------------------------------------
The Biblical phrase
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
God turned them by the wilderness
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
is a CONTRASTIVE phrase.
- Instead of the JEWS taking the NEAR-ROUTE
- they will take the WILDERNESS ROUTE(Which is not near)
---------------------------------------------------------

Similarly Rashi makes the following comment
----------------------------------------------------------
The Biblical phrase
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Because it was a near route
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

should be seen as ENABLING or FACILITATING the turning back
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Because if they saw war [AND WERE NEAR EGYPT] they might turn back
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------


Here Rashi takes two phrases
- because it is a near route
- God turned them towards the wilderness
Rashi does not explain the WORD MEANING of these phrases
Rather Rashi explains the PARAGRAPH CONTEXT of these phrases.
One phrase is CONTRASTIVE; the other phrase is FACILITATING
In other words Rashi explains how these phrases, WHOSE MEANING
WE ALREADY UNDERSTAND, fits in with the paragraph. For this
reason we classify these Rashis as GRAMMATICAL.

EXAMPLE 2: Ex14-08a Ex14-04:08
------------------------------
The Biblical text states
--------------------------------------------
Pharoh found out that the Jews had fled
And he changed his mind about the Jews
He said: What have we done to send the Jews away

He fixed his chariot
He took his nation

He took 600 chosen chariots
and the whole Egyptian army
and appointed leaders on all

[For]God had hardened Pharohs heart
and he pursued the Jews
But the Jews left brazenly and unafraid
----------------------------------------------

Rashi comments
-----------------------------------------
This Biblical phrase
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
God had hardened his heart
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

should be seen as contrastive to the
following Biblical phrases which suggest
doubt
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And he changed his mind about the Jews
He said: What have we done to send the Jews away
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-----------------------------------------

Here Rashi infers nuance from the paragraph structure.
The two Biblical phrases
- Pharoh changed his heart--he said What have we done
- God hardened his heart and he pursued them
should be seen as contrastive. The first phrase
does not connote a decision but rather connotes
DOUBT. The second phrase--God hardened his heart---
connotes RESOLVE WITHOUT DOUBT

EXAMPLE 3: Ex14-25a Ex14-25b
----------------------------
The Biblical text states
----------------------------------------
God turned against the Egyptians
He removed a wheel from their chariots
He made their drive heavy and difficult
And the Egyptians said:
Lets get out of here
God is fighting for the Jews
----------------------------------------

Rashi comments
----------------------------------------
The successive phrases in the verse
illustrate successful levels of causation
- God removes a chariot wheel--THIS CAUSES
- Heavy riding--THIS CAUSES
- awareness that God is fighting for the Jews
----------------------------------------

Again we emphasize:
- we know the meaning of the words
- GOD REMOVES A WHEEL
- So Rashi explains not MEANING
- but rather GRAMMATICAL CONTEXT
It is for this reason that we have
classified all these examples as GRAMMATICAL

LIST061b below presents several Rashis exhibiting contrast
between verses. LIST061a presents Rashis exhibiting CAUSAL
or FACILITATION in connecting verses.

A list of paragraphs     having a CONTRASTING connection