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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 Nu21-07a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1419.htm
    Brief Summary: Moses upon being insulted prayed for the welfare of the Jews that insulted him. This offers general guidance to people who are insulted.

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in an example form. In other words an example of a law is stated rather than the full general rule. The reader's task is to generalize the example. The idea that all Biblical laws should be perceived as examples (unless otherwise indicated) is explicitly stated by Rashi (Pesachim 6.). This is a rule of style since the rule requires that a text be perceived as an example rather than interpreted literally. The Rabbi Ishmael style rules govern the interpretation of style.

Verse Nu21-05:07a discussing Moses reaction to the Jewish people after they had insulted him, and apologized, states And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, nor is there any water; and our soul loathes this light bread. And the Lord sent venomous serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against you; pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people Rashi commenting on the underlined phrases states: We see that Moses prayed for the Jewish people after they had insulted him and asked his forgiveness. This generalizes as follows: It is proper ethical behavior to pray for someone who has insulted you and apologized.

Advanced Rashi: Rashi simply says From here we learn that if someone who has insulted you apologizes you should not be cruel in forgiveness. But a proper generalization of the cited Biblical passage says more, as indicated above: If a person who insulted you asks forgiveness, besides not being cruel, you should also pray for his welfare. Although the further underlined generalization is not in the Rashi text we are justified in inserting it since it is consistent with the Biblical text and the underlying Rashi method of generalization.

Such adding of detail - based on the actual Biblical text and the underlying Rashi rule - shows the proper approach to understanding Rashi.


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