RASHIS COVERED: Lv21-06a Lv21-08a

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TODAYS RASHI RULE:       THE RABBI ISHMAEL STYLE RULES
TODAYS RASHI SUBRULE:    GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL STYLE
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RULE
-------------------------
Some Rashis deal with GRAMMAR or MEANING. But other Rashis
deal with STYLE. The Great Talmudic Sage Rabbi Ishmael,
laid down 3 style rule classes which divide into a dozen
or so rules.

Today we deal with the DETAIL-GENERAL or
GENERAL-DETAIL-GENERAL style. In this style the verse
first states something specifically and then repeats
the requirement generally.

The Rabbi Ishmael Style rules then demand that the
specific details be partially generalized. This requirement
of generalization is not because of grammar or meaning or
even because some word in the verse is extra: Rather, it
is a requirement of style.

STANDARD EXAMPLE
----------------
Ex25-31

DETAIL-SPECIFIC: Make a Candellabrah of PURE GOLD
GENERAL:         Sculptored shall you make the Candellabrah

STUDENT EXERCISES:
-----------------
-- Can you restate the verse in a simple style without
the SPECIFIC-GENERAL form?

-- How would you apply the Rabbi Ishmael requirement
of partial generalization to the detail in this verse


RASHIS SOLUTION
---------------
There are at least two ways to state the verse without
the SPECIFIC-GENERAL style:

-- Make a Golden Menorah that is sculptored with all parts
coming from it.

-- Make a menorah that is sculptored with all parts coming
from it.

Both the above sentences are simple. By contrast the Bible states

--- Make a Golden Menorah
--- Make a ------ Menorah Sculptored with all parts coming
from it.

Note the deliberate use of a 2 sentence style(SPECIFIC
GENERAL)

The Talmud then explains how the SPECIFIC DETAIL, GOLD,
is PARTIALLY GENERALIZED: The Menorah can be made of
anything SIMILAR TO GOLD--that is ANY METAL.

STANDARD REFERENCES FOR THIS RULE
---------------------------------
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/example7.htm


http://www.RashiYomi.com/ishmael.htm


http://www.RashiYomi.com/calendar1.htm
The Rabbi Ishmael
series occured during
August and September 2000.


HOW TO USE THESE LISTS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS
------------------------------------------
You can use the LISTS referenced above for
school projects by asking students to perform
the 2 exercises listed above.

The students can then compare their analysis with that
of Rashis. This leads to greater appreciation of Rashi.

TODAYS EXAMPLE
--------------
Lv21-06:08 discusses holiness of priests. This general
requirement is sandwiched among some specific examples which
are then seen a prototypes which are generalized.