QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "'Hachilam' ... [means] 'they have begun.'" What does Rashi mean?
Gur Aryeh: The subject of the verb is not the city and the Tower (i.e. that they had begun to be built), for HaSh-m does not mention them. Rather, the subject is the "one nation" which is mentioned in the verse.
Rashi writes: "'Lo Yibatzer' - in the rhetorical sense, 'Will it not be held back from them...?". Why doesn't Rashi explain in the literal sense, "It will not be withheld from them"?
Gur Aryeh #1: The verb "Yazemu (they plotted)" is in past tense; if the verse is literal, it should be in future tense: "all that they shall plot to do."
Gur Aryeh #2: We cannot explain in the literal sense, for even if they were to succeed in their plot to build the Tower, HaSh-m is capable of eradicating their accomplishments in an instant.
