SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals is to indicate paragraph
structure. The modern author can indicate paragraph
structure thru either
- indentation or
- white space: blank lines surrounding the paragraph.
One method by which the Bible indicates paragraph
structure is to use a THEME-DETAIL-THEME style--that is
- a THEME sentence is stated,
- followed by some DETAILS of that theme and concluding
- with a repetition of the THEME sentence.
Thus the opening and closing THEME sentence form
brackets indicating a paragraph unit.
Recall that in modern writing, the details of
a paragraph develop the theme sentence of the paragraph.
Since the THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure
indicates a biblical paragraph, therefore the
DETAILs are seen as the DEVELOPMENT of the paragraph
We call this Rashi method the THEME-DETAIL-THEME
or GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL submethod of the
RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE method. The name RABBI ISHMAEL
STYLE method reflects the fact that the
THEME-DETAIL-THEME structure is mentioned
among the 13 exegetical rules of Rabbi Ishmael.
EXAMPLE Gn09-10
---------------------------
The Biblical text at Gn09-10 has
the following content/structure
------------------------------------------------------
[God states: I will make a convenant with you,Noach]
- THEME: And with ALL living CREATURES WITH YOU
-------- DETAILS: birds
-------- DETAILS: animals
-------- DETAILS: land beasts WITH YOU
- THEME: From all those in the ark to ALL terrestial CREATURES
------------------------------------------------------
Rashi (paraphrased)
-----------------------------------------------------
The opening and closing phrases
although different both mention
-- ALL ... CREATURES
This establishes a paragraph unit.
The THEME is ALL CREATURES
The DETAILS are BIRDS, ANIMALS, LAND BEASTS
Hence, TAKING THE PARAGRAPH as whole we conclude that
the ARK CONVENANT is with
- ALL CREATURES
- DOMESTICATED animals
- JUNGLE/FOREST beasts
- FLIES, GNATTS
We learn this inclusiveness from the THEME-DETAIL-THEME
structure which defines a paragraph. And the paragraph
structure requires interpreting the DETAILS broadly
so as to include all items similar to the theme items
------------------------------------------------------
LIST460s summarizes these arguments.
Rashi finds further support for one of his points
from the ALIGNMENT of verse phrases.
SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
Rashi frequently makes powerful inferences from the ALIGNMENT,
that is, the word by word comparison, of almost identical verses.
The minor variations between these almost similar verses suggests
nuances and differences or even meaning. We call this the
Rashi rule of ALIGNMENT
-When Rashi identifies two cases from the ALIGNMENT we call
this the Rashi subrule of TWO CASES
-When Rashi infers nuances from the variations between the
almost similar verses (or verse phrases) we call this the
Rashi subrule of NUANCES.
-When Rashi infers MEANING from the ALIGNMENT of almost
identical phrases we call this the Rashi SUBRULE of MEANING.
-----------------------------------------------------
EXAMPLE Gn09-10
---------------
Gn09-10 states
-----------------------------------------------
[God makes a convenant with Noach]
With ALL living creatures WITH YOU
Among terrestial beasts WITH YOU
TO ALL terrestial creatures
*1 *2 *3 *4
-----------------------------------------------
The ALIGNMENT emphasizes that the convenant is with
- (*4) animals WITH YOU (and NOT WITH YOU)
- (*2) TERRESTIAL creatures (and NON TERRESTIALS)
Hence the Rashi comments that
------------------------------------------
The convenant was both with DOMESTICATED and WILD
animals. The convenant was both with LAND animals
and INSECTS
------------------------------------------
LIST309c below summarizes these arguments.
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