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 Ex28-10a URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n9.htm Brief Summary: (Ex28-10) Tribal names on the stones worn by priests were ordered by tribal birth (Gn29-31,Gn30-24)

Verse Ex28-10a discussing the order of tribal names on the stones attached to the priests clothing states states Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names on the other stone, according to their birth. Rashi clarifies the underlined words according to their birth by referencing verses Gn29-31 -- Gn30-24 which states And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, Surely the Lord has looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because the Lord has heard that I was hated, he has therefore given me this son also; and she called his name Simeon. Hence the Rashi comment: The tribal names on the two stones were sequenced according to the order in which the 12 tribes were born. Reuven was born first so his name comes first; Shimon was born second so his name comes second.

Text of Target verse Ex28-10a	Text of Reference Verse Gn29-31 ... Gn30-24
Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names on the other stone, according to their birth.	And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, Surely the Lord has looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because the Lord has heard that I was hated, he has therefore given me this son also; and she called his name Simeon.
Rashi comments: The tribal names on the two stones were sequenced according to the order in which the 12 tribes were born. Reuven was born first so his name comes first; Shimon was born second so his name comes second.

Advanced Rashi: The tribal names occurred in several places in the priest garments. There are various controversies on the order of names. My purpose in this email group is only to expose the underlying methods used to determine order. A detail discussion of the controversies and to where they apply would take us beyond the goals of this email newsletter.