The special word method deals with the few dozen special connective words that exist in all languages. Familiar examples are also, when, that, if, then, all, because, only, this,.... These words are typically
• adverbs such as all,also or connective words, either
• conjunctions such as if, then, because or
• articles or demonstrative or abstract pronouns such as the, this, that or
• propositional connectives such as in,on,to,from.
Rashi's job, when he comments on a special connective words, is to enumeratively list the nuances and usages of the word.

The most famous example of the special word method 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 Rashi student must gather all the meanings together from various places.

One can classify the special word method as either a meaning sub-method or grammar sub-method.

Today we deal with the Hebrew special word Kuph-Lamed which can have any of the following meanings.
• all, even borderline cases for example, Nu14-01a The whole nation rebelled, [even the leaders]
• all, any part for example, Lv21-11b don't define to the whole dead body[even to organs]
• all groups for example, Gn06-12a All creatures [even non-human animals] had become corrupt
• all, emphasizing, no exceptions for example, Gn19-04b all people [without exception] in Sedom gathered (for the rape)

Applying this rule to the translation of Ex12-48b we obtain And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to HaShem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; all uncircumcised people [Rashi: Even if they were uncircumcised, not because of rebellion against God, but because of legitimate medical reasons] shall not eat it. As is our practice we have embedded the Rashi translation in the verse.

Advanced Rashi: For further examples of Rashis on the Hebrew word Caph-Lamed visit http://www.Rashiyomi.com/all-18.htm. Better still visit the RashiYomi calendar at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/calendar1.htm and click on the all series which you can find beginning July 10 2000 and ending July 30 2000 (7-10-00 through 7-30-00).