SUCCINCT SUMMARY
----------------
One of Rashis 5 main goals is to indicate paragraph
structure. One method of paragraph
structure is to use the CLIMAX method to infer meaning
That is, the ASSUMED CLIMACTIC development of a paragraph
theme forces inference of meaning from the paragraph structure
EVEN if the individual words dont justify this.

EXAMPLE Nu09-22a
----------------
Nu09-20:22 has the GENERAL theme that the CLOUD of GLORY
could stay ANY LENGTH OF TIME and then depart.
This GENERAL theme is developed as follows:

GENERAL Nu09-20 The cloud could stay ANY NUMBER OF DAYS

DETAIL  Nu09-21 - the cloud could stay..TWELVE HOUR PERIOD
DETAIL  Nu09-21 - or it could stay......DAY AND NIGHT
DETAIL  Nu09-22 - or if the cloud stays TWO DAYS
DETAIL  Nu09-22 - or .................. A MONTH
DETAIL  Nu09-22 - or .................. DAYS

Rashi: The CLIMACTIC development
- 12 hours
- 24 hours
- 2 days
- Month
- DAYS
clearly shows that the word DAYS means a YEAR (Even
though DAYS by itself normally does not mean a YEAR)

Here Rashi infers meaning from PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE
and CLIMACTIC development (but not from the meaning
of the words involved).

This is a fundamental principle! Understand it.


EXAMPLE Gn24-55a Gn24-55b
-------------------------
The Biblical text states
-----------------------
Please, let the girl stay with us
- a DAY = YEAR
- or TEN = TEN MONTHS
-----------------------

Rashi: The identification of DAY=YEAR and TEN=TEN MONTHS
is based on the principle of (ANTI-)CLIMAX which states that
first you request something big and then REDUCE your
request.

List of time periods in  Nu09-20:22