1. RASHI METHOD: REFERENCES BRIEF EXPLANATION: Commentary on a verse is provided thru a cross-reference to another verse. The cross references can either provide (1a) further details, (1b) confirm citations, or (1c) clarify word meaning. This examples applies to Rashis Nu21-27b URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1224.htm Brief Summary: JOSHUA SHALL ASK (FROM ELAZAR) USING THE URIM & TUMIM (Nu27-21), references e.g. 1S30-07:08 and Ex28-06:30: prophetically inquiring from URIM & TUMIM during military maneuvers.

Verse Nu21-27b Nu21-27c discussing Joshua's seeking advice from Elazar using Urim and Tumim states And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask for him according to the judgment of Urim before the Lord; at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the people of Israel with him, all the congregation Rashi notes that the underlined words, ask for him ... urim references verses 1S30-07:08 and Ex28-06:30 discussing an inquiry by David thru the Urim whether a military maneuver will be successful Hence the Rashi comment Joshua shall ask [from the Urim by Elazar] when Joshua wishes to go to war

Text of Target Verse Nu21-27b	Text of Reference Verse 1S30-07:08, Ex28-06:30
And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask for him according to the judgment of Urim before the Lord; at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the people of Israel with him, all the congregation .	And David said to Abiathar the priest, AhimelechÆs son, I beg you, bring me here the ephod. And Abiathar brought there the ephod to David. And David inquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. ..... they shall make the ephod of gold, .... And you shall make the breastplate of judgment with skilful work; after the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold,... .... And they shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, .... And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment, the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon AaronÆs heart, when he goes in before the Lord; ...
Rashi comments: Joshua shall ask [from the Urim by Elazar] when Joshua wishes to go to war

Advanced Rashi: Note that we could have equally brought other verses for reference: For example, Ju20-27:28 also gives an example of inquiry thru the Urim about the propriety of a military action.

Also note that this refernce example is complex in that the reference is sequential:
• Nu21-27 speaks about asking from the Urim
• Ex28-06:30 explains how the urim are on the breastplate and
• The breastplate is connected by a cord to the
• Ephod garment
• And that is exactly what David inquires from in 1S30-07:08 from the Ephod.

Finally I note the oddity that many history, military and political books seem to have overlooked the importance of organized religion in general and the priests in particular in determining and even allowing military action. There are many examples. We find in the Talmud / Midrash for example that a priest stopped Alexander the Great from attacking. Similarly the holiday of Chanukah is a holiday about Priestly military activities. The Bible relates that a prophet stopped a civil war when the monarchy split in two after Solomon's death. Military records show that many generals, even those from non religious nations, have sought religious confirmation of their planned activities.