I think I have figured it out. Rashi's mission is to give the reader "Peshuto Shel Mikra", with the assistance of relevant Medrashim. Until now, with mostly stories, the task has been simple: Look at the verse, notice difficulties or inconsitencies, and go to Medrash or Onkelos to solve problems and explain verse.
Now, neck-deep in Halacha, the task is not that simple. Why? It is not because Halacha is taken more seriously. It is because Halacha is often the product of pesukim from throughout Chumash. So Rashi has to refrain from offering the halachic meaning of these "Mishpatim" passages alone, because that would not be the final halachic conclusion, and would be misleading. The final halacha is the result of medrashim and gemaras reconciling and synchronizing psukim from Mishpatim with others in Vayikra or Devarim, with these Mishpatim passages playing a role. So in order to offer pshuto shel mikra while remaining faithful to halacha, Rashi has to explain the whole picture, conflict and resolution. Hence the lengthier Rashis.
2 comments:
It looks like you are profoundly influenced by the unique and innovative approach of the LR. Are you a shliach?
I am not a shaliach. Nor a Lubavitcher Chossid for that matter. But yes I have been influenced by the Lubavitcher Rebbe's approach to reading Rashi on Chumash.
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