"Lo Sosifun Laseis Teven!". Why does the Torah inser the 'Alef' in "Teven"?
R. Bachye (citing r. Chananel): To teach us that the decree - not to give them straw lasted only one time before it was annulled.
What are "Levinim"? Why does one require straw to manufacture them?
Rashi: "Levinim" are bricks that one forms out of clay/mud, which one mixes with straw and leaves in the sun to dry - sometimes one burns them in a furnace. 1
Rashbam: "Levinim" are bricks that one forms out of straw mixed with mortar. 2
What are the connotations of "ki'Temol Shilshom"?
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Ki'Smol Shilshom' (lit. 'like yesterday and the day before) - [i.e.,] as you had been doing until this point." What is Rashi adding?
Gur Aryeh: The straw had not been supplied for the last two days only; as we see that the Shoterim were not accustomed to being beaten! Rather, it had been a long-standing status-quo, that the overseers supplied the straw, 1 and the Yisraelim fulfilled their quota. "Temol Shilshom" is a figure of speech meaning 'previously.'
Rashi (to 5:11): The straw was supplied from the royal palace.
