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#*#*# (C) RashiYomi Inc. 2008, Dr. Hendel, President #*#*#
    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 Ex30-08b
    URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex30-08b.htm
    ALWAYS OFFER INCENSE - ONLY at morning and evening when the Candellabrah is being worked on.

Certain Biblical paragraphs are stated in a Theme-Development form. In other words a broad general idea is stated first followed by the development of this broad general theme in specific details. The Theme-Detail form creates a unified paragraph. Today's example illustrates this as shown below.

    Verses Ex30-07:08 discussing the offering of incense states
  • General: And Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense
  • Detail:
    • Every morning; when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
    • And when Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense upon it,
    Hence the Rashi comment: You must offer incense but only in the morning and evening at the time of taking care of the candellabrah.

    Advanced Rashi: Rashi's comment looks almost obvious. Perhaps then we should analyze how the theme and development meanings combine:
  • If it just stated the theme - offer incense every day - then I would think it permissable to offer it any time during the day for example while offering the morning and evening offerings.
  • If it just stated the detail - offer it morning and evening while taking care of the Candellabrah - then I would correctly offer it at those times. But I might think it permissable to also offer it other times. I might think it ok for example to offer it three or four times a day.
  • It is precisely the combination of theme and development that indicates to me that
    • I must offer it in the morning and evening
    • I may not offer it any other time
    I believe this example very typical of the Theme-development method.

More advanced Rashi: The example just presented occurs in my article http://www.Rashiyomi.com/biblicalformatting.pdf. ###### then I have not found comparable examples. Today I think it simpler to interpret Ex29-07:08 as a theme-development method which requires exclusivity. The clause at the end of Ex29-08 - it will be a perpetual incense before God for all generations - could be perceived as a new statement having nothing to do with the previous theme-development part. It could indicate for example that the incense must be perpetual and offered even on the Sabbath and holidays (Similar to the daily offering which overrides the Sabbath). 


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