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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 Dt04-14a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/dt04-14a.htm
    Brief Summary: a) GENERAL: God instructed you with STATUTES b) DETAILS: Take heed ... less...[so make Rabbinical FENCES] c) GENERAL: God instructed you with STATUTES

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development-Theme form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The paragraph-like unit is then closed with a repetition of the broad theme. The Theme-Detail-Theme form creates a unified paragraph. The detailed section of this paragraph is therefore seen as an extension of the general theme sentences. Today's example illustrates this as shown immediately below.

    Biblical paragraph Dt04-05:14 has a theme-development-theme structure as shown immediately below.
  • Theme: Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as the Lord my God commanded me, ....
  • Development: Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations,.... Only take heed to yourself, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, ... but teach them to your sons, and to your grandsons; .... And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire; ... And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, ten commandments; ...
  • Theme: And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, ....

    The above theme-development-theme style-- teach justice, take heed, teach justice-- motivates the following paraphrased Rashi comment: The theme teach law is developed with the details
  • take heed
  • lest you forget
  • God taught us the 10 commandments

The Rabbi Ishmael style rules require perceiving this entire paragraph unit as one unified whole. Hence we interpret the details take heed ...lest you forget as a development of the general theme to learn God's laws. In other words, take heed and lest you forget is interpreted to require legislation of Rabbinic fences to help prevent accidental transgression of the Torah law. 


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