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 Gn13-10a Gn13-10c Gn13-10d URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1312.htm Brief Summary: GENERAL: The Jordan peninsula was FULLY WATERED. DETAIL 1: Like the Garden of Eden - [Good for TREES] DETAIL 2: Like Egypt - [Good for PLANTS (like flax)]

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. The rule of thumb is that if you state a single statement then that statement should be perceived as an example which should be Generalized. On the other hand if you want to emphasize that what you are saying only applies to the examples listed then you would use a theme detail format thereby indicating that from all instances of the general theme only the details you listed apply. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

Verses Gn13-10 discussing the fertility of the Jordan peninsula states
• General: Lot saw that the Jordan plain ...was completely watered
• Detail 1: ...like the Garden of Eden [which was known for its trees (Gn01-09,16)]
• Detail 2: ...like Egypt [which was known for its plants like flax (Gn09-31:32)
The general clause states that the plain was well watered and could mean refer for example to beautiful fountains. The detail clause provides specificity to the general clause and describes how it should be interpreted: It was well watered for the production of trees and plants.