There are two approaches to teaching general principles:
• One can state the abstract idea
• One can state a good example and let the reader infer the general principle.

Interestingly, computer science studies, show that both methods of instruction are equally effective. Some students learn better from exposure to abstract ideas while other students learn better from exposure to good examples.

The technique of communicating an abstract principle via examples is known as the Rabbi Ishmael Style rules. It is a matter of style that an example is viewed more generally instead of restrictively.

Here is a simple example: Ex21-28a states that an owner must pay when his ox causes damage. Rashi, following the Talmud generalizes this: An owner must pay when his animal causes damage. Here the animal is the general abstract class while the ox is the specific example. The Bible teaches the general rule using the specific example. This follows the Rabbi Ishmael Style rules.

Verse Gn30-01c states And when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I am dead.

Rashi comments on the underlined phrase Give me children or else I am dead by using the Rabbi Ishmael Style rules: This is a general principle and does not apply only to Rachel: Any barren women emotionally feels as if she is dead.

Sermonic points: The focus of the Rashi point is on the extreme loneliness of not having children. Modern man is aware of needs for food, sex and shelter. But there are other equally strong emotional needs; having children is one of them, especially for women.