When Rashi uses, what we may losely call, the hononym method, Rashi does not explain new meaning but rather shows an underlying unity in disparate meanings. Rashi will frequently do this by showing an underlying unity in the varied meanings of a Biblical root.

In my article Peshat and Derash found on the world wide web at http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rashi.pdf. I advocate enriching the Rashi explanation using a technique of parallel nifty translations in modern English. Today's examples show this.

The Heberw Biblical root Aleph-Vav-Resh has a fundamental meaning of light. Hence this Biblical root can mean / refer to
• light
• mirrors [ ]
• prophetic visions [ cf. the English vision ]
• dew [ because light frequently sparkles on dew drops ]
• fitting, proper [ because it looks right ]
• military confrontation [ because you force your enemy to see your power ]

Applying the above translation to Ex28-30b discussing the priestly garments we obtain #####

Advanced Rashi: This Rashi has given rise to all types of folklore describing exactly how the garments inspired prophetic visions. We prefer not to interpret these items literally but rather, we interpret these items functionally to reflect prophetic goals. So we interpret as follows:
• The Light garment contained the Divine name inside means The Light garment inspired prophecy
• The Light garment did not have the Divine name inside it during the 2nd Temple means The Light garment no longer inspired prophecy during the 2nd temple,
• The Light garment communicated prophecy by the full Hebrew Alphabet which was used to spell the names of all tribes means The Light garment with its colored stones and names of tribes was able to communicate ideas symbolically using the various colors and tribes each with their own idiosyncracies.

In each case we reject a literal interpretation and instead stick to the basic idea that the Urim, the Light garment, inspired prophecy. We believe such an approach the best.