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The climax principle asserts that a sequence of similar phrases
should be interpreted climactically even if the words
and grammatical constructs used do not directly suggest this. That is
the fact of the sequence justifies
reading into the Biblical text
a climactic interpretation
even if no other textual source justifies it. For this reason we consider
the climax method a distinct and separate method.
The climax principle is illustrated by verse Gn24-55c,
discussing
the request, by the family of the soon to-be-wed bride that she be allowed to stay
home a little longer before leaving,
states
And her brother and her mother said:
- 'Let the damsel abide with us days,
- or ten;
after that she shall go.'
An initial interpretation could be literal as indicated by the bracketed words
And her brother and her mother said:
- 'Let the damsel abide with us [a few]days,
- or ten [days];
after that she shall go.'
Rashi however objects to such an explanation.
True - such an explanation is consistent with word meaning and grammar
But it is non-climatic. People simply don't speak that way. They don't ask
for a few days and then say but if I can't get a few let me get 10.
Such a sequencing is anti-climactic.
Rashi therefore provides an interpretation consistent with climax.
And her brother and her mother said:
- 'Let the damsel abide with us days [a year],
- or ten [months];
after that she shall go.'
It is important to understand the underlying Rashi methods: Rashi is using climax
The climax principle allows us to interpret the ambiguous ten as meaning
ten months versus ten days. The Bible occasionally uses the word
days to mean year and since year versus a few days is consistent
with climax Rashi so interprets.
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#*#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc., 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#*#*#
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