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    6. RASHI METHOD: STYLE
    Rashi examines how rules of style influences inferences between general and detail statements in paragraphs.
    • Example: Every solo example stated by the Bible must be broadly generalized;
    • Theme-Detail: A general principle followed by an example is interpreted restrictively---the general theme statement only applies in the case of the example;
    • Theme-Detail-Theme: A Theme-Detail-Theme unit is interpreted as a paragraph. Consequently the details of the paragraph are generalized so that they are seen as illustrative of the theme.
    This examples applies to Rashis Ex18-19a Ex18-23a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
    GOD BE WITH YOU ....appoint delegates GOD BE WITH YOU (Ask Him First)

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development-Theme form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The paragraph-like unit is then closed with a repetition of the broad theme. The Theme-Detail-Theme form creates a unified paragraph. The detailed section of this paragraph is therefore seen as an extension of the general theme sentences. Today's example illustrates this as shown immediately below.

    Biblical verses Ex18-19:23 form a Biblical paragraph with a theme-detail-theme structure. The paragraph discusses Jethro's advice to Moses
    • General: Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and G-d be with thee:
    • Detail:
      • be thou for the people before G-d, and bring thou the causes unto G-d.
      • And thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws,
      • and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
      • Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear G-d, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons;
      • and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves; so shall they make it easier for thee and bear the burden with thee.
    • General: If thou shalt do this thing, and G-d command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.'

    The general-theme-general structure says the following
  • General: God be with you and command you
  • Detail: You will be a prophet for them, teach them, appoint judges, etc.
  • General:God be with you and command you.

Hence the Rashi comment: Yithro's advice to Moses to appoint delegates and a hierarchical system of judges had an accompanying request to first seek God's approval prior to implementing such a hierarchical system.

Here Rashi interprets the Detail clause as developing the General-Theme clause. Everything Moses did should be with God's approval. In particular if Moses wanted to follow Yithro's advice to implement a hierarchical judicia should first ask God's approval.


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