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 Ex14-02b URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/w33n8.htm Brief Summary: Ex14-02b - RETURN to the MOUTH OF FREEDOM, is probably a pun on their leaving from the MOUTH OF DEATH (Ex12-37,Ex01-11)

Verse Ex14-02b discussing God's order to return to the Mouth of Freedom states Speak to the people of Israel, that they return and encamp by The Mouth of Freedom, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal-Zephon; before it shall you encamp by the sea. Rashi clarifies the underlined words return to the Mouth of Freedom by referencing verse Ex12-37,Ex01-11 which states Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Mouth-of-Death and Raamses.... And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot, who were men, beside children. Hence the Rashi comment: The Jews worked in the twin cities of Raamses and Mouth of Death. They departed Egypt from Raamses (Ex12-37) but God told them to return to The Mouth of Freedom. A very reasonable logical inference is that Mouth of Freedom was the way the joyous slaves renamed Mouth of Death when they left the Raamses - Mouth-of-Death area.

Text of Target verse Ex14-02b	Text of Reference Verse Ex12-37,Ex01-11
Speak to the people of Israel, that they return and encamp by The Mouth of Freedom, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal-Zephon; before it shall you encamp by the sea.	Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Mouth-of-Death and Raamses.... And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot, who were men, beside children.
Rashi comments: The Jews worked in the twin cities of Raamses and Mouth of Death. They departed Egypt from Raamses (Ex12-37) but God told them to return to The Mouth of Freedom. A very reasonable logical inference is that Mouth of Freedom was the way the joyous slaves renamed Mouth of Death when they left the Raamses - Mouth-of-Death area.

Advanced Rashi: Rashi only mentions the renaming of Mouth of Freedom. Rashi further explains that there were two great rocks with a hole between them - and hence the whole setup looked like a mouth, which explains the name.

By analogy I further explained that the Hebrew PiThom means Mouth (Pi) of Death (Tamm,) analogous to Pi HaChiroth meaning Mouth (Pi) of Freedom (HaChiRoth). I think the two stones formed a natural boundary. Slaves who tried to escape were killed and hence the name Mouth of Death. When the Jews were freed they renamed it Mouth of Freedom.

Such a reading of Rashi based on underlying reasons enriches our understanding and appreciation of Rashi.