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The Formatting principle includes exegetical Rashi comments focusing on paragraph structure. That
is, the parts of a paragraph when properly sequenced naturally suggest commentary. This type of commentary,
emanating from structure, is different from commentary from word meaning, grammatical function or verse comparison.
Verses Ex14-05:10 discussing the Egyptian reaction to Israel leaving Egypt has the paragraph
structure below. Note especially the shift of subjects in each sentence from Pharoh, the leader, to the
Egyptian people.
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- He / Pharoh: And he made ready his chariot, and he took his people with him;
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the people of Israel; and the people of Israel went out with a high hand.
- Egyptian People /they: The Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and they overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal-Ze
- Pharoh And when Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were very afraid; and the people of Israel cried out to the Lord.
The Rashi comment on the above structure is brief but to the point: And he made ready his
chariot: Rashi: He himself made it ready. Rashi's point is well taken. Normally you may not
emphasize the singular in a verb. After all the focus of the sentences is that they prepared for a military
action. Rashi is not commenting on the singular. Rather Rashi is commenting on the contrast of singular
and plural in the paragraph sections. The 4 sections -
- People - Pharoh and staff - regretted letting the Jews leave
- He made ready his chariot
- Egyptians pursued
- Pharoh coming near made people afraid.
- show that although the Egyptian people were involved it was Pharoh who scared the people. Rashi emphasizes that Pharoh
was the instigator. Rashi could be further strengthened by the verses saying that the people in fact respected
Moses and liked the Jewish people (Ex11-03.). From the point of view of innovation we are emphasizing 3 points
- Rashi is not commenting on the singular but the contrast of singular plural
- Although Rashi made his comment on the verse He made ready his chariot he clearly also had in mind
the verse when Pharoh came near the people were afraid
- Verse Ex11-03 shows that the people respected Moses and liked the Jews. This reinforces the Rashi comment
that Pharoh was the driving force and instigator.
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