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 Gn04-12a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w34n15.htm Brief Summary: GENERAL: You will not be able to farm. DETAIL: But you will not starve - rather you will have to wander for food.

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 Gn04-11:12 discussing the punishment of Kayin for murdering Abel states
• General: And now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened her mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand; When you till the ground, it shall not henceforth yield to you her strength;
• Detail: a fugitive and a wanderer shall you be in the earth.
The general clause states Kain will not get produce from agriculture and could either mean that Kain will not be able to farm or to eat or to have food. The detail clause provides specificity to the general clause and describes how it should be interpreted: Kain will not have agriculture but will have food! However he will be forced to continuously wander to obtain his food.