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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 Gn45-12b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n6.htm
    Brief Summary: GENERAL: "You my brothers see:" DETAIL: "My full brother Benjamin sees" (HINT: I like you as much as him).

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. The style rule requires that we interpret the general theme with special focus on the attributes of the illustrative detail selected. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

    Verse Gn45-12b discussing Joseph's statement of love and care for his brothers is written in a theme-detail form as shown below.
    • Theme-General: And, behold, your eyes [the eyes of my brothers] see,
    • Detail-Development: and the eyes of my [full] brother Benjamin,
    that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.     Rashi following the Rabbi Ishmael style guidelines interprets the thematic general clause in light of the specific illustrative detail selected for development. I love the rest of my brothers (some of whom sold me into slavery) as much as I love my full brother Benjamin.

Advanced Rashi: From time to time I am challenged whether the Rabbi Ishmael Style rules can be applied to non-legal passages. I think the present example shows the great simplicity of interpretation that results from such an application.


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