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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 Lv11-24b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n13.htm
    Brief Summary: GENERAL:To these you will become ritually impure DETAIL: [BY] touching their carcasses - you'll be impure till eve.

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. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

  • General: And for these you shall be unclean
  • Detail: [by] touching their carcass you shall be unclean till eve

In this example the verse starts with a general phrase:to these animals you shall be unclean. We are not yet told how the uncleanness is achieved. Then in the next part of the verse we are given specificity: whoever touches their carcass... shall be unclean till eve. Taken together the verse as a whole states You may become unclean to these animals [by] touching their carcass. The interpolated word [by] facilitates seeing the connection between the two verse halves which together state that only by very specific acts (touching) can you become ritually impure.


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