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      7. RASHI METHOD: FORMATTING
      BRIEF EXPLANATION:Inferences from Biblical formatting: --bold,italics, and paragraph structure.
      • Use of repetition to indicate formatting effects: bold,italics,...;
      • use of repeated keywords to indicate a bullet effect;
      • rules governing use and interpretation of climactic sequence;
      • rules governing paragraph development and discourse
      This example applies to Rashis Lv21-04a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1412.htm
      Brief Summary: DON'T defile yourself EXCEPT for relatives when YOU ARE OBLIGATED

The Formatting principle includes exegetical Rashi comments focusing on paragraph structure. That is, the parts of a paragraph when properly sequenced naturally suggest commentary. This type of commentary, emanating from structure, is different from commentary from word meaning, grammatical function or verse comparison. Todays example nicely illustrates this.

    Verses Lv21-01:03 discussing the prohibitions and permissions for Priests to defile themselves unto the dead states
    • Priests may not defile themselves to dead
    • Except for relatives
    • To them he should defile.
    Malbim contrasts this paragraph form - no defile, except, defile - with the following - no defile, except- form.
    • Priests may not defile themselves to dead
    • Except for relatives
    Malbim explains: The paragraph style no X, except Y... implies X is prohibited except in case Y where it is permissable. By contrast the paragraph style No X, except Y, Yes indicates X is prohibited except in case Y which is required. More broadly Malbim explains that the No X, except Y style indicates that Y is permitted, not required, unless the text is in some way more emphatic. This delicate and beautiful principle deftly distinguishing permissability from obligation facilitates the understanding of many difficult laws. 


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