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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 Ex23-26a
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm
    If you will observe My laws...I will destroy your enemmies, you will not have barrenness...if you observe my law

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development-Theme form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The paragraph-like unit is then closed with a repetition of the broad theme. The Theme-Detail-Theme form creates a unified paragraph. The detailed section of this paragraph is therefore seen as an extension of the general theme sentences. Today's example illustrates this as shown immediately below.

    Biblical verses Ex23-20:32 form a Biblical paragraph with a theme-detail-theme structure. The paragraph discusses God's promise to protect the people in they observe God's law
    • General: Behold, I send an Angel before you, to keep you in the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.... But if you shall indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then
    • Details:
      • I will be an enemy to your enemies,
      • and an adversary to your adversaries.
      • For my Angel shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorites, ...
      • and he shall bless your bread, and your water;
      • and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
      • None shall miscarry, nor be barren, in your land;
      • the number of your days I will fulfil.
      • ... and will destroy all the people to whom you shall come, ...
      • until you are increased, and inherit the land....
      • And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the river; ...
    • General: You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not live in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

    The general-theme-general structure says the following
  • General: Observe God's commandments
  • Detail: And he will destroy your enemies
  • General:Observe God's commandments - don't be misled by the nations you come to

Advanced Rashi: Rashi makes his comments on the bold words none shall miscarry Rashi explains that this promise of lack of miscarriages belongs in the paragraph promising God's help conditional to our observing his commandments. That is, it is not a new paragraph but rather a continuation of the previous paragraph. 


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