What is "Tzalil Lechem Se'orim"?
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan: It is a cake of barley bread baked on coals. Radak - Tzalil is from the root Tzeli (roasted).
Radak: It is the great noise of the barley bread turning over in Midyan's camp. This is like "Tetzilenah [Shtei] Aznav" (Shmuel 1 3:11).
Why is "Tzalil" written with a Vov?
Rashi (from Pirkei d'Rav Kahana 20): The generation was Tzalul (clean, i.e. empty 1 ) of Tzadikim.
Ein Chanoch (in Likutim on Vayikra Rabah 28:6): The Ta'am on "Tzalil" separates it from Lechem. The salvation was not in the merit of Tzadikim, rather, due to the Lechem (Omer). Maharzu (on 28:6) - Gid'on's father was Gedol ha'Dor and leader. He said "Asher Yariv Lo Yumas Ad ha'Boker", and he had a Mizbe'ach for Ba'al (6:31, 25)!
Why was it from barley?
Rashi: It was in the merit of the Omer (which is of barley) that is offered on [the second day of] Pesach.
Radak: This is a metaphor - Yisrael, who were weak (like barley is inferior), overpowered and defeated Midyan.
Malbim: It was the 16th of Nisan, the time of the barley harvest. Midyan came to plunder barley.
Why was the loaf reversed?
Malbim: Initially Yisrael hid from Midyan, and now they ruled over their enemies.
What is the meaning of "va'Yavo Ad ha'Ohel"?
Malbim: It is until the camp, where the tents were.
What struck what?
Rashi: The barley cake struck the tent. Malbim - this showed that they would fall as corpses.
What was reversed?
Rashi: The tent was flipped upside down, and it fell.
Malbim: Midyan fled from the valley to the surrounding mountains.
