When Rashi uses the synonym method he does not explain the meaning of a word but rather the distinction between two similar words both of whose meanings we already know.

The following Hebrew words all refer to communication and teaching.
• Aleph-Mem-Resh, Amar, speak;
• Daleth-Beth-Resh, Dbr, cite,
• Nun-Gimel-Daleth, HaGid, tell,
• Shin-Nun-Nun, VeShiNNaNTaM masters [ hear it till the matter is as sharp as a tooth (Shin-Nun); thoroughly digest the matter (Shin-Nun); ]
• Lamed-Mem-Daleth, VeLiMMaDTem, habituate [ the Malmad was a needled wood which was used to habituate animals to a certain path by lightly tapping them ]

In our article Peshat and Derash: A New Intuitive and Logical Approach, which can be found on the world-wide-web at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rashi.pdf we have advocated punchy translations of Biblical verses as a means of presenting Rashi comments. The following translation of verse Gn47-25c:26 embeds the Rashi translation VeLiMadTem means habituate. Habituate your children in them [in Torah laws] till their [conversation] citations are in them [whether] while in your house or while on the road or while preparing for sleep or while getting up.

Advanced Rashi: Just to recap lamad vs. shinun emphasizes habituation and integeration within the personality (rather than just mere expertise). Furthermore the verse emphasizes ...in order that their citations should be in them. Because of these two factors we feel that the proper translation is habituate them...to cite them in their daily conversations.

Here is a punchy way of illustrating the verse. If I sit down to a meal and someone gives a Torah thought we have not fulfilled the idea of habituation ...conversation. But if during the meal whenever someone wants to make a point they use a Talmudic or Biblical idiom then the conversations are habitually Torah. This examples shows the Torah ideal of learning. It is a process which engulfs the entire daily activities - it is not something external that you bring in on specific occasions.