Why does the Torah draw a distinction between the six middle boards on the west side and the two outer ones?
Rashi and Rashbam: The boards of the Mishkan were placed outside the Mishkan as a border (and not as part of the west-side). 1 Consequently, the six middle boards on the west marked the majority of the western border (nine Amos), and it was to fill in the half Amah space on the north and on the south, that the extra boards were needed (even though the outer Amah of each one did not fulfill that role) 2 .
How did the two end west boards remain firm, seeing that the boards on the north and south sides were tapered to a finger-breadth at the top. See 2:24:2:2?
Shabbos, 98b: They filed them down until they fitted plush with the north and south boards.
