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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 Ex21-28a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt25-04a.htm

    Biblical verses Ex21-28 discussing damages by one's ox states And if an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die, the ox shall be surely stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. Rashi perceives this Biblical law as an example of a more general theme: The given Bibilical law applies whether the damage was done by an ox or any other animal. Here Rashi uses the generalization method. We have made explicit the idea that the generalization method is implemented by perceiving the Biblical laws as examples rather than literal.

    Advanced Rashi: This Rashi is echoed in the opening paragraph of Rambam's great law code, Chapter 1 of the laws of Monetary Damage. The fact that both Rashi and Rambam make the same comment shows that the generalization method is not an option of commentary but rather an obligation of commentary. Each reader of the texts is obligated to generalize these laws. Interestingly Rambam is explicit about the Rashi method: Although the Biblical text is specific to the damages of an ox the law equally applies to any animal; the text simply spoke about typical cases of damage. Here Rambam explains why the Bible used the generalization method: The focusing on typical cases facilitates memory.


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