The 10 RashiYomi Rules 
Their presence in Rashis on Parshat BeShaLach 
 Vol  2#15 - Adapted from Rashi-is-Simple  
Visit The RashiYomi Website : http://www.RashiYomi.Com/
 (c) RashiYomi Incorporated, Dr Hendel President, Feb-09-2006 
English and Hebrew translations of the Bible come mostly from the www.MECHON-MAMRE.org  translation with changes made by me 

The goal of this Weekly Rashi Digest is to use the weekly Torah portion to expose students at all levels to the ten major methods of commentary used by Rashi. It is hoped that continual weekly exposure to these ten major methods will enable students at all levels to acquire a familiarity and facility with the major exegetical methods.

IN THIS ISSUE: a) Do you know the 10 words for prayer? b) If horses were killed in 5th plague,what drove chariots? 
 
1. RASHI METHOD : OTHER VERSES   
This example applies to Rashis Ex14-12a Ex14-10b Ex15-14b 
URL Reference : (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex14-12a.htm 

The other verse  method seeks to illuminate the contents of a target verse by cross referencing other verses which either 
•	(a) confirm the target text or 
•	(b) add details to it. Additionally the other verse  method can 
•	(c) shed light on word meaning. 

Verse Ex14-12 states   Is not this the word that we spoke unto thee in Egypt, saying: Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.'   הֲלֹא-זֶה הַדָּבָר, אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְנוּ אֵלֶיךָ בְמִצְרַיִם לֵאמֹר, חֲדַל מִמֶּנּוּ, וְנַעַבְדָה אֶת-מִצְרָיִם:  כִּי טוֹב לָנוּ עֲבֹד אֶת-מִצְרַיִם, מִמֻּתֵנוּ בַּמִּדְבָּר.  

Rashi cites an other verse: Verse Ex05-21 states   and they said unto them[Moses and Aaron]: 'The LORD look upon you, and judge[Because you tried to free us]; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.'   וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֲלֵהֶם, יֵרֶא יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם וְיִשְׁפֹּט:  אֲשֶׁר הִבְאַשְׁתֶּם אֶת-רֵיחֵנוּ, בְּעֵינֵי פַרְעֹה וּבְעֵינֵי עֲבָדָיו, לָתֶת-חֶרֶב בְּיָדָם, לְהָרְגֵנוּ.  

Note how the underlined phrases in the two verses coincide. In other words Rashi shows that Ex14-12 cross-references the other verse Ex05-21. 

2. RASHI METHOD : WORD MEANINGS / new meanings 
This example applies to Rashis Ex14-10c Dt03-23a 
URL reference: (c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ex14-10c.htm  

The word meaning  method seeks to present dictionary meaning. Rashi uses 10 vehicles to infer word meaning. A major word meaning submethod is the synonym  method. Several words can all have the same basic meaning but have slightly different connotations. 

Rashi Dt03-23a cites the Sifre that there are 10 words connoting prayer. This Rashi affords us an insight to understand the relationship between Rashi and the Midrashic sources he cites: Here the Midrash cites all 10 synonyms for prayer while Rashi only tersely cites a few of these synonyms. This Rashi-Midrash relationship is typical. 

Here are five (of the ten) words / phrases for prayer: 
•	STAND YOUR GROUND BEFORE GOD: Verse Gn19-27 states   And Abraham got up early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD.   וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם, בַּבֹּקֶר:  אֶל-הַמָּקוֹם--אֲשֶׁר-עָמַד שָׁם, אֶת-פְּנֵי יְהוָה.  
•	POUR FORTH CHATTER BEFORE GOD: Verse Gn24-63 states   And Isaac went out to chat in the field at the eventide; and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.   וַיֵּצֵא יִצְחָק לָשׂוּחַ בַּשָּׂדֶה, לִפְנוֹת עָרֶב; וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא, וְהִנֵּה גְמַלִּים בָּאִים.  
•	SCREAM TO GOD: Verse Ex14-10 states   And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were sore afraid; and the children of Israel screamed out unto the LORD.   וּפַרְעֹה, הִקְרִיב; וַיִּשְׂאוּ בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-עֵינֵיהֶם וְהִנֵּה מִצְרַיִם נֹסֵעַ אַחֲרֵיהֶם, וַיִּירְאוּ מְאֹד, וַיִּצְעֲקוּ בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶל-יְהוָה.  
•	MEET GOD: Verse Gn28-11 states  And he bumped into the Place[God], and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep.   וַיִּפְגַּע בַּמָּקוֹם וַיָּלֶן שָׁם, כִּי-בָא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וַיִּקַּח מֵאַבְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם, וַיָּשֶׂם מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו; וַיִּשְׁכַּב, בַּמָּקוֹם הַהוּא.  
•	SEEK GRACE BEFORE GOD: Verse Dt03-23 states   And I besought Grace before the LORD at that time, saying:   וָאֶתְחַנַּן, אֶל-יְהוָה, בָּעֵת הַהִוא, לֵאמֹר.  

These 10 words for prayer describe 10 different situations to which man responds in prayer. For example you scream in prayer when you are pursued. You seek grace in Prayer when you want a favor you don't deserve. You chat in prayer when you wish to uplift your reminisces to a Godly level. 

3. RASHI METHOD : GRAMMAR / conjugation 
This example applies to Rashis  Ex15-01a Ex15-06d Ex15-07b 
URL reference :(c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ex15-01a.htm  

The grammar  method seeks to apply and teach Hebrew grammar.  One component of grammar deals with modal conjugations of verbs.

Most people are familiar with the tenses of a verb. A verb may be conjugated in either the past, present, or future. For example, I ate the apple, vs. I am eating the apple, vs. I will eat the apple. Besides tense, verbs  may be conjugated in different modalities.  For example, the following three sentences illustrate different modalities: I will eat the apple, vs. I should eat the apple, vs. I wish to eat the apple, vs I must eat the apple.  The modalities will, should, wish, must indicate, not states of reality, but modes of the person doing the eating. The modality of wishing to do something is called the jussive mode. 

In English modality is indicated thru skillful use of auxiliary verbs. In Hebrew modality can be indicated by a terminal hey ה. In Hebrew modality can also be indicated thru the use of the future instead of the past. Here is the literal translation of verse Ex15-01 which states   Then Moses will sing wit the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and they spoke, saying: I will sing unto the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.   אָז יָשִׁיר-מֹשֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת, לַיהוָה .    When the two underlined occurrences of the jussive--one thru a reuse of the future and one thru the use of a terminal hey ה -- are properly translated we obtain the following English translation:  Ex15-01    Then Moses and the children of Israel wished to sing this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying: I wish to sing unto the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.   אָז יָשִׁיר-מֹשֶׁה וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת-הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת, לַיהוָה     This use of the jussive creates connotations of exhilaration: I wish to sing vs I will sing connotes the simultaneous exuberance and hesitation that accompanies exhilaration. 

Another conjugation of verbs is the simple present connoting habit. The difference between the ordinary (simple) present and the simple present connoting habit is illustrated thru the following two sentences: I am eating the apple now vs. I eat an apple every day. In the second sentence a collection of activities are indicated that habitually take place--we call this the simple present connoting habit. In the following two verses Rashi translates the present as the simple present connoting a habit thereby indicating that God is continually (not just now in Egypt) fighting the Jewish enemies. Verse Ex15-06:07 states   Thy right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, Thy right hand, O LORD, always dasheth in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou constantly overthrowest them that rise up against Thee; Thou sendest forth Thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.   יְמִינְךָ יְהוָה, נֶאְדָּרִי בַּכֹּחַ;    יְמִינְךָ   וּבְרֹב גְּאוֹנְךָ, תַּהֲרֹס   

4. RASHI METHOD : ALIGNMENT
This example applies to Rashis  Ex13-19a 
URL reference :(c) http://www.RashiYomi.com/ex13-19a.htm 

The alignment  method seeks to extract nuances from the minor differences in the alignment  of two almost identical verses. The contrast of the two almost identical verses points either to a) two cases , b) several nuances , or c) an equality of the verses which leads to an understanding in meaning . 

Notice the underlined differences in the following two aligned verses. 
•	Verse Gn50-24 states   And Joseph told unto his brethren: 'I die; but God will surely remember you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.'   וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹסֵף אֶל-אֶחָיו, אָנֹכִי מֵת; וֵאלֹהִים פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֶתְכֶם, וְהֶעֱלָה אֶתְכֶם מִן-הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת, אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּע לְאַבְרָהָם לְיִצְחָק וּלְיַעֲקֹב.  
•	Verse Gn50-25 states   And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying: 'God will surely remember you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.'   וַיַּשְׁבַּע יוֹסֵף, אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר:  פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶתְכֶם, וְהַעֲלִתֶם אֶת-עַצְמֹתַי מִזֶּה.  
•	Verse Ex13-19 states   And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying: 'God will surely remember you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.'   וַיִּקַּח מֹשֶׁה אֶת-עַצְמוֹת יוֹסֵף, עִמּוֹ:  כִּי הַשְׁבֵּעַ הִשְׁבִּיעַ אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֵאמֹר, פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד אֱלֹהִים אֶתְכֶם, וְהַעֲלִיתֶם אֶת-עַצְמֹתַי מִזֶּה אִתְּכֶם.  

The differences are easy to explain: Joseph simply laid down a request to his brothers; but to future generations  he left orders to carry his coffin to Israel. Hence Joseph told his brothers/ but swore the Jews. Similarly Joseph simply told is brothers while he swore the Jews saying:

In other words, the swearing and the as follows indicate a command to all generations. 

5. RASHI METHOD : CONTRADICTION 
This example applies to Rashis  Ex14-07b 
URL reference :(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex09-10a.htm

 The contradiction  method seeks to derive Biblical content by assuming a resolution to contradictory  verses. Rashi had 3 main methods to resolve contradiction : The two contradictory verses could be speaking about a) two stages  of one process, b) two aspects  or attributes of one entity, or c) the contradictory verses could be resolved assuming a broad or literal interpretation  of the words causing the contradiction. 

The following is a standard example of contradiction resolved thru a distinction. Note the contradiction in the following verses. 
•	Plague 5: Verse Ex09-03 states   behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which are in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the herds, and upon the flocks; there shall be a very grievous murrain.   הִנֵּה יַד-יְהוָה הוֹיָה, בְּמִקְנְךָ אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׂדֶה, בַּסּוּסִים בַּחֲמֹרִים בַּגְּמַלִּים, בַּבָּקָר וּבַצֹּאן--דֶּבֶר, כָּבֵד מְאֹד.  
•	Plague 6: Verse Ex09-09 states   And it shall become small dust over all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.'   וְהָיָה לְאָבָק, עַל כָּל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם; וְהָיָה עַל-הָאָדָם וְעַל-הַבְּהֵמָה, לִשְׁחִין פֹּרֵחַ אֲבַעְבֻּעֹת--בְּכָל-אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם.  
•	Plague 7: Verse Ex09-19 states   Now therefore send, hasten in thy cattle and all that thou hast in the field; for every man and beast that shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.'   וְעַתָּה, שְׁלַח הָעֵז אֶת-מִקְנְךָ, וְאֵת כָּל-אֲשֶׁר לְךָ, בַּשָּׂדֶה:  כָּל-הָאָדָם וְהַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר-יִמָּצֵא בַשָּׂדֶה, וְלֹא יֵאָסֵף הַבַּיְתָה--וְיָרַד עֲלֵהֶם הַבָּרָד, וָמֵתוּ.  
•	After plagues: Verse Ex14-07 states   And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them.   וַיִּקַּח, שֵׁשׁ-מֵאוֹת רֶכֶב בָּחוּר, וְכֹל, רֶכֶב מִצְרָיִם; וְשָׁלִשִׁם, עַל-כֻּלּוֹ.  
This appears contradictory---if the livestock were all killed in plague #5 then how were there livestock in plagues #6, #7; furthermore where did the horses come for the chariots they used after the plagues. Rashi resolves this contradiction using the language in the verses: 
•	Plague 5: God only killed the livestock in the field (but livestock in the house survived) 
•	Plague 6: Livestock in the house got boils (but did not die)
•	Plague 7: Only Livestock who left the house for the field died 
•	After plagues: The livestock in the house was used for the chariots with which the Egyptian pursued the Jews. 

Here Rashi resolves contradiction using 2 cases: Livestock in the field vs. in the house . This distinction is based on the verse's own language. 

Rashi also wryly notes that the people who believed in God and saved livestock in house nevertheless then turned against God and gave their livestock for chariots to pursue the Jews who were leaving Egypt. 

7. RASHI METHOD : Formatting
This example applies to Rashis  Ex14-04b 
URL reference :(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ex14-04b.htm
  
Modern formatting  has a variety of vehicles which the writer uses to either create emphasis  or point to an underlying unity . Three common examples of modern formatting are (a) bold-italic-underline , (b) paragraph indentation including use of line spaces, (c) use of bulleted lists . 

Authors use these formatting  devices as follows: (a) All authors know that bold-italic-underline indicates emphasis . The Bible did not use bold-italic-underline but instead uses repetition  to indicate emphasis . (b) Modern authors use indentation  and line spaces between paragraphs to point to an underlying unity  in a paragraph. The Bible indicates paragraph unity  by using the theme-detail-theme , detail-theme , or theme-detail  styles. (c) Modern authors use bulleted lists  to indicate contrastive emphasis --the bullets  together are seen as spanning a domain of ideas while each individual bullet  is seen as indicating a separate and distinct idea. The bible indicates bulleted lists  by either using repeated keywords or parallel structure . 

The reader will recognize the theme-detail-theme , detail-theme  and theme-detail  methods as three of the 13 exegetical methods of Rabbi Ishmael. What we have added is the explanation that the Rabbi Ishmael rules focus on biblical examples : Are these biblical examples understood as exhaustive of the whole law or are they understood as examples to be generalized? Similarly the reader will recognize that we have called the bullet  method is the Rabbi Ishmael rule of context . What we have added to the Rabbi Ishmael exposition is the idea that parallel structure  and repeated keywords are two methods of making inferences from context 

Note the bulleted structure in the following verse Ex14-04 which states   And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get Me honour 
•	upon Pharaoh, and 
•	upon all his army; 
and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.' And they did so.   וְחִזַּקְתִּי אֶת-לֵב-פַּרְעֹה, וְרָדַף אַחֲרֵיהֶם,
 וְאִכָּבְדָה
•	 בְּפַרְעֹה
•	 וּבְכָל-חֵילוֹ,
 וְיָדְעוּ מִצְרַיִם כִּי-אֲנִי יְהוָה; וַיַּעֲשׂוּ-כֵן.  

Rashi paraphrased states The repeating keyword ,  upon creates a bullet effect. It is as if the text stated--I will weigh upon
•	Pharoh and
•	his entire army 
These two bullets create emphasis 
•	God fights Pharoh who instigated the slavery 
•	God fights the Egyptian army that implemented his order; 
two sources of evil and two sources of punishment. 

8. RASHI METHOD : DATABASES
This example applies to Rashis  Ex17-11a 
URL reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gn06-14a.htm 

The database  method seeks to discover biblical ideas using the methods of modern database theory and sequential query language (SQL). The Talmudic sages and Rashi were totally familiar and frequently used all aspects of modern database theory. 

Today we ask the query: When do commandments exhort morally thru symbols?  The query returns the 5 results listed below. 

The following Rashis requires use both the database and symbolism methods. Very often God will use symbols to remind us of moral principles. In the following five verses moral principles are symbolically affirmed as shown: 
•	Stones symbolize people: Verse Ex20-22 states   Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.    וְלֹא-תַעֲלֶה בְמַעֲלֹת, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי:  אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִגָּלֶה עֶרְוָתְךָ, עָלָיו.   The point here is that if we shouldn't embarrass stones by exposing our nakedness how much more so that we shouldn't embarrass people. 
•	Animals symbolize people: Verse Lv20-15 states   And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and ye shall slay the beast.   וְאִישׁ, אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתּוֹ בִּבְהֵמָה--מוֹת יוּמָת; וְאֶת-הַבְּהֵמָה, תַּהֲרֹגוּ.  The point here is that just as we should have no mercy on animal sinners but kill them so too we should have no mercy on human sinners and kill them. 
•	Trees symbolize people: Verse Dt12-02:03 states   Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim tree with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place.   אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן אֶת-כָּל-הַמְּקֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ-שָׁם הַגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹרְשִׁים אֹתָם--אֶת-אֱלֹהֵיהֶם:  עַל-הֶהָרִים הָרָמִים וְעַל-הַגְּבָעוֹת, וְתַחַת כָּל-עֵץ רַעֲנָן.  וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת-מִזְבְּחֹתָם, וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם אֶת-מַצֵּבֹתָם, וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ, וּפְסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן; וְאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת-שְׁמָם, מִן-הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא.  The point here is that just as we should have no mercy on trees that were worshiped but destroy them so too we should have no mercy on human idolaters and kill them. 
•	Raising hands symbolizes prayer: Verse Ex17-11 states   And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.   וְהָיָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר יָרִים מֹשֶׁה יָדוֹ--וְגָבַר יִשְׂרָאֵל; וְכַאֲשֶׁר יָנִיחַ יָדוֹ, וְגָבַר עֲמָלֵק.  The point here is that the people became victorious when Moses raised his hands because the raised hands were symbolic of prayer; the prayer that resulted from Moses suggestion is what saved the Jews. The mere raising of hands did not save them. 
•	Steps symbolize fantasies: The Hebrew root for both steps and  fantasies is Ayin Lamed Hey 
עלה מעלת  Hence the following verse contains a pun Verse Ex20-22 states   Neither shalt thou go up by steps [could also mean fantasies] unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.    וְלֹא-תַעֲלֶה בְמַעֲלֹת, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי:  אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִגָּלֶה עֶרְוָתְךָ, עָלָיו.   The point of the verse is: don't have fantasies when doing service in the temple.

10. RASHI METHOD : SYMBOLISM
This example applies to Rashis  Ex17-11a
URL reference :(c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gn06-14a.htm 

The symbolism method seeks to extract meaningful inferences from the symbolism of the biblical text.  The concept of symbolic interpretation is very involved. A good, compact, clear reference explaining when symbolism can be used and how to apply it may be found in my article Genesis 1 speaks about the creation of prophecy not the world which you can find at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/gen-1.htm . Today we explore the symbolism in Ex17-11a  which describes the People prayer and fantasies. 

The following Rashis requires use both the database and symbolism methods. Very often God will use symbols to remind us of moral principles. In the following five verses moral principles are symbolically affirmed as shown: 
•	Stones symbolize people: Verse Ex20-22 states   Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.    וְלֹא-תַעֲלֶה בְמַעֲלֹת, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי:  אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִגָּלֶה עֶרְוָתְךָ, עָלָיו.   The point here is that if we shouldn't embarrass stones by exposing our nakedness how much more so that we shouldn't embarrass people. 
•	Animals symbolize people: Verse Lv20-15 states   And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and ye shall slay the beast.   וְאִישׁ, אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן שְׁכָבְתּוֹ בִּבְהֵמָה--מוֹת יוּמָת; וְאֶת-הַבְּהֵמָה, תַּהֲרֹגוּ.  The point here is that just as we should have no mercy on animal sinners but kill them so too we should have no mercy on human sinners and kill them. 
•	Trees symbolize people: Verse Dt12-02:03 states   Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim tree with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place.   אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן אֶת-כָּל-הַמְּקֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר עָבְדוּ-שָׁם הַגּוֹיִם, אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יֹרְשִׁים אֹתָם--אֶת-אֱלֹהֵיהֶם:  עַל-הֶהָרִים הָרָמִים וְעַל-הַגְּבָעוֹת, וְתַחַת כָּל-עֵץ רַעֲנָן.  וְנִתַּצְתֶּם אֶת-מִזְבְּחֹתָם, וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם אֶת-מַצֵּבֹתָם, וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ, וּפְסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם תְּגַדֵּעוּן; וְאִבַּדְתֶּם אֶת-שְׁמָם, מִן-הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא.  The point here is that just as we should have no mercy on trees that were worshiped but destroy them so too we should have no mercy on human idolaters and kill them. 
•	Raising hands symbolizes prayer: Verse Ex17-11 states   And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.   וְהָיָה, כַּאֲשֶׁר יָרִים מֹשֶׁה יָדוֹ--וְגָבַר יִשְׂרָאֵל; וְכַאֲשֶׁר יָנִיחַ יָדוֹ, וְגָבַר עֲמָלֵק.  The point here is that the people became victorious when Moses raised his hands because the raised hands were symbolic of prayer; the prayer that resulted from Moses suggestion is what saved the Jews. The mere raising of hands did not save them. 
•	Steps symbolize fantasies: The Hebrew root for both steps and  fantasies is Ayin Lamed Hey 
עלה מעלת  Hence the following verse contains a pun Verse Ex20-22 states   Neither shalt thou go up by steps [could also mean fantasies] unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.    וְלֹא-תַעֲלֶה בְמַעֲלֹת, עַל-מִזְבְּחִי:  אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִגָּלֶה עֶרְוָתְךָ, עָלָיו.   The point of the verse is: don't have fantasies when doing service in the temple.

Conclusion

This week's parshah contains no examples of the Style and Spreadsheet method. This concludes this weeks edition. Visit the RashiYomi website at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/ for further details and examples.