The special word method deals with the few dozen special words that exist in all languages. Familiar examples are also, when, that, because, only, this,.... Rashi's job, when he comments on a special connective words, is to list the varied nuances and usages of the word. The most famous example is the Hebrew word Kaph Yud which can mean because, that, when, perhaps, rather, if. Sometimes Rashi explicitly gives all meanings of a connective word as happens with Kaph Yud while at other times Rashi does not give all meanings at once. In such a case the student must gather all the meanings together from various places.

Verse Ex27-19a discussing the material of Temple utensils states All the utensils of the tabernacle for all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of copper.

Rashi comments on the special connective adverbial word, all. All has four meanings: a) all, with no exceptions, b) all parts (the whole), c) all groups, d) even borderline cases. Here the word all means even borderline cases. Rashi explains: The verse phrase temple utensils would ordinarily be interpreted restrictively to refer to the altar utensils like the bowls which hold blood, the forks which hold meat, or the dustpans used for sweeping. This interpretation is consistent with verse Ex27-03 which explicitly states And you shall make pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its forks, and its firepans; all its utensils you shall make of copper. The word all however encourages a broader interpretation applying even to borderline cases. Even construction utensils, such as pitching utensils and hammers, used in the construction of the temple but not in actual service, were required to be made of copper.