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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 Dt02-04a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt02-04a.htm
    Brief Summary: The Jews complained that GOD HATES US. But God loved the Jews? The Jews projected their own hatred of God onto God.

The Rabbi Ishmael Style rules indicate how verses should be treated, whether literally and restrictively or generally and broadly as paradigms. The General-Detail style indicates a restrictive literal interpretation--the general clause is restricted to the specific requirements of the detail clause.

    Dt02-04a:05 is written in a general-detail style. And command the people, saying, You are to pass through the border of your brothers the sons of Esau, who live in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you;
  • General: take heed and watch yourselves [by]
  • Detail: Contend not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession.

Rashi comments by adding the interpolated word [by] linking the General-detail clauses and giving them specificity. Take heed and watch yourselves [by] not contending with them.

Here is another way of understanding this Rashi. The statement take heed and watch yourself is very broad and general. It could refer to not insulting them. It could even refer to not entering commerce with them. However the general-detail combination, take heed [by] not contending with them...I will not give you of their land makes it clear that the only prohibition is military contention---the Jews were prohibited from military conflict with the Moabites. However other forms of contention are not prohibited.

In fact Rashi elsewhere notes that the phrase ...and they shall be afraid of you... indicates that it was permissable for the Jews to go thru Seir armed, even though they could not enter into war and even though they would cause anxiety to the Moabites when they saw an armed nation going through their land.

Last week we augmented the weekly Rashi with presentations of controversies among the early authorities. We continue the trend this week by presenting an attachment discussing a controversy between Rashi and Sforno on the above Rashi. The attachment may be found at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1105.rtf 


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