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      3. RASHI METHOD: GRAMMAR
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi explains verses using grammar principles, that is, rules which relate reproducable word form to word meaning. Grammatical rules neatly fall into 3 categories
      • (a) the rules governing conjugation of individual words,Biblical roots,
      • (b) the rules governing collections of words,clauses, sentences
      • (c) miscellaneous grammatical, or form-meaning, rules.
      This examples applies to Rashis Ex40-32a
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n11.htm
      Brief Summary: Kuph-Resh-Beth-Tauv-Mem is an infinitive, cohortative with suffix: WHEN THEY INTEND TO COME NEAR TO THE ALTAR

Most people are aware that Hebrew verbs come from three-letter roots. Each root is conjugated in the 7 dimensions of person, gender,plurality, tense, activity, modality, and direct-object. For example the root Shin Mem Resh means to watch. The conjugations Shin-Mem-Resh-Tauv-Yud and Nun-Shin-Mem-Resh-Nun-Vav mean I watched and we were watched respectively.

The rules for Hebrew grammar are carefully described in many modern books and are well known. Rashi will sometimes comment when a verse is using a rare conjugation of an odd grammatical form.

When presenting grammatical Rashis my favorite reference is the appendix in volume 5 of the Ibn Shoshan dictionary. This very short appendix lists most conjugations.

    Verse Ex40-32a discussing the requirement of priests to wash / sanctify their hands and legs when entering to provide service states When they come to the Tent of Meeting, and when they intend to come near to the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses. Rashi's comment on the Hebrew Kuph-Resh-Beth-Tauv-Mem when properly understood involves four points:
    1. The root Kuph-Resh-Beth means near
    2. The grammatical form used is the infinitive: to come near.
    3. The suffix Mem indicates the "subject" of the infinitive: for them to come near.
    4. The root has an additional hey which, as is usual is transformed into a Tauv. A suffix hey indicates the so-called jussive / cohortative mood - that is, a mood of aspiration, wishfullness and intent.
    Putting it all together we therefore translate the verse ...when they intend to come near to the altar...

###### jussive / cohortative mood.

Having explained the verse we must ask Why? That is what does the phrase ..when they intend to come near to the altar add. I have not found anything explicit but would offer the following insights: ###### 


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