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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 Lv14-09a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1216.htm
      Brief Summary: GENERAL: They are holy DETAIL: They shall not marry prostititues...divorcees GENERAL: Make them holy RASHI: So if they did marry incorrectly make them get divorced.

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.

    Verse Lv21-06:08 discussing the holiness of the Priests states
  • General: They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer; therefore they shall be holy.
  • Detail:
    • They shall not take a wife who is a harlot, or defiled
    • nor shall they take a woman put away from her husband; for he is holy to his God.
  • General:You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God; he shall be holy to you; for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy.

Rashi generalizes the detail clause they shouldn't marry a prostitute or divorcee as illustrative of the general clause, they shall be holy and states: Make them holy! If the priest violates the commandments and marries a divorcee then force him, against his will, to divorce her! We believe this comment evident and consistent with the Rabbi Ishmael style guidelines.

    Advanced Rashi: A typical Rashi-ist would approach these verses by emphasizing the 6-fold repetition of the holiness requirement:
    • They shall be holy
    • They shall not descecrate God's name
    • they will be holy
    • they are holy
    • Make them holy
    • They shall be holy to you
    A typical Rashi-ist would comment: The verse repeats the idea 6 times. Notice the emphasis in the repetitions. Not only should they be holy but also they shall not descecrate; not only should they become holy but also they are holy; not only should they be holy but make them holy. All these repeated phrases clearly require coercion into holiness if they do not comply!!

We totally agree with this analysis. But we point out that without the paragraph structure we would interpret make them holy to refer to symbolic gestures of giving Priests preference and treatment with honor. By embedding the detailed prohibition of forbidden marriages inside the general clauses of requiring them to be holy we infer that the general clauses apply to the detailed clauses and require them in all circumstances - hence the prohibition of marrying a divorcee applies even if it was inadvertently done - that is, a divorce is required. 


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