Rashi often quotes Midrashim, with subtle and not so subtle changes. A great example of this can be found in Rashi's comment about the mirrors used to build the kiyor (laver). (See the first comment) I'll list the discrepancies between the actual midrash and Rashi's cite, and then I'd very much like to hear some attempts to explain them. I think #3 is the most serious one
#1 BREAK THEIR LEGS
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
After the women offer their mirrors, Moshe is so offended by the suggestion that he tells the male Jews to take rods and break the women's legs
RASHI
No mention of this
#2 THE BEST GIFT
RASHI
God is quoted telling Moshe that the mirrors were the most appreciated gift of all.
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
No mention of this
#3 THE PURPOSE OF THE KIYOR / RATIONALE OF THE GIFT
RASHI
Because the Kiyor was used for the Sota ritual: "From these [the mirrors], the washstand was made, because its purpose was to make peace between a man and his wife. [How so?] By giving a drink from the water that was in it [the washstand] to [a woman] whose husband had warned her [not to stay in private with a certain man] and she secluded herself [with him anyway. The water would test her and either destroy her or prove her innocence."
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
Because the Kohanim used the Kiyor to sanctify themselves: "Take them and fashion from them the washstand for the priests to sanctify themselves from” as it says (38:8). And he made a copper washstand and its stand with the mirrors of the hosts…”
What I really want to understand is why Rashi takes a midrah that says the kiyor is for the kohanim, and instead chooses to emphasize that the kiyor is for the Sota ritual
#1 BREAK THEIR LEGS
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
After the women offer their mirrors, Moshe is so offended by the suggestion that he tells the male Jews to take rods and break the women's legs
RASHI
No mention of this
#2 THE BEST GIFT
RASHI
God is quoted telling Moshe that the mirrors were the most appreciated gift of all.
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
No mention of this
#3 THE PURPOSE OF THE KIYOR / RATIONALE OF THE GIFT
RASHI
Because the Kiyor was used for the Sota ritual: "From these [the mirrors], the washstand was made, because its purpose was to make peace between a man and his wife. [How so?] By giving a drink from the water that was in it [the washstand] to [a woman] whose husband had warned her [not to stay in private with a certain man] and she secluded herself [with him anyway. The water would test her and either destroy her or prove her innocence."
MIDRASH TANCHUMA
Because the Kohanim used the Kiyor to sanctify themselves: "Take them and fashion from them the washstand for the priests to sanctify themselves from” as it says (38:8). And he made a copper washstand and its stand with the mirrors of the hosts…”
What I really want to understand is why Rashi takes a midrah that says the kiyor is for the kohanim, and instead chooses to emphasize that the kiyor is for the Sota ritual
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