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 Ex30-08b URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex30-08b.htm Brief Summary: OFFER INCENSE - ONLY at morning and evening when the Candellabrah is being worked on.

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The Theme-Detail form creates a unified paragraph and consequently the law or narrative statement only applies to the enumerated details but not to other cases. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

Verses Ex30-07:08 discussing what is offered on the Golden Altar states
• General: And Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense
• Detail:
  • Every early morning; when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
  • And when Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense upon it,
The general clause states offer incense on the golden altar and could mean that you can offer incense any time during the day. The detail clause provides specificity to the general clause and describes how it should be interpreted: Of all the times of the day, only in the early morning and evening should you offer incense.

Advanced Rashi: The example just presented occurs in my article http://www.Rashiyomi.com/biblicalformatting.pdf. It is also discussed in an article, not yet published, on broad-restrictive interpretation in law, presented at the 20th Midwest Jewish Studies conference.