Rashi

To this day, the commentaries on the Bible and Talmud written by the eleventh-century scholar known as Rashi remain unsurpassed. His influence on Jewish thinking was, and still is, significant. His commentary on the Pentateuch was the first Hebrew book to be printed, giving rise to hundreds of supercommentaries. Christian scholars, too, have relied heavily on his explanations of biblical texts.

In this volume Avraham Grossman presents a masterly survey of the social and cultural background to Rashi’swork and pulls together the strands of information available on his life, his personality, his reputation during his lifetime, and his influence as a teacher. He discusses each of his main commentaries in turn, including such aspects as his sources, his interpretative method, his innovations, and his style and language. Attention is also given to his halakhic monographs, responsa, and liturgical poems.

Despite Rashi’s importance as a scholar and the vast literature published about him, two central questions remain essentially unanswered: what was Rashi’s world-view, and was he a conservative or a revolutionary? Professor Grossman considers these points at length, and his in-depth analysis of Rashi’s world-view—particularly his understanding of Jewish uniqueness, Jewish values, and Jewish society—leads to conclusions that are likely to stimulate much debate.

Translator’s Note
Note on Transliteration

1 The Social and Cultural Background of Rashi’s Work
The Jews’ Political, Economic, and Social Status • The Troyes Community and the Jewish Centre in Champagne • The Twelfth-Century Renaissance • The Jews’ Social Ties to their Surroundings • Jewish–Christian Religious Polemics

2 Rashi: A Biographical Sketch
Rashi’s Life • Character Traits • Standing and Fame

3 Rashi’s Beit Midrash
Growth of the Beit Midrash • ‘The Great Rabbi’ • Library and Sources

4 Literary Works: Commentary on the Torah
The Text of Rashi’s Commentary on the Torah • Rashi’s Interpretative Method • Rashi’s Profound Affection for Midrash • General Characteristics of the Commentary

5 Literary Works: Commentaries on the Prophets and the Writings (Nakh)
Language, Grammar, and References to Daily Life • Style of the Commentaries • General Characteristics of the Commentaries

6 Literary Works: Commentary on the Talmud
For Whom Did Rashi Write his Commentary on the Talmud? • Extent of the Commentary • Interpretative Characteristics • Connections with Other Interpretative Traditions • Versions and Editions of the Commentary • Changes and Contradictions • Halakhic Rulings in Rashi’s Commentary on the Talmud

7 Literary Works: Rulings, Responsa, Liturgical Poems, and Commentaries on Liturgical Poems
Rulings • Responsa • Liturgical Poems • Commentaries on Liturgical Poems

8 Rashi’s World-View: The Uniqueness of the Jewish People
Methodological Introduction • The Election of Israel • The Land of Israel • Miracles • Exile and Redemption • The Nations of the World

9 Rashi’s World-View: Values
Torah and Torah Study • Reasons for the Commandments • Prayer • Truth and Humility • Human Dignity • Peace and Factionalism

10 Rashi’s World-View: Society
Scholars • Community Leaders • Forced and Voluntary Converts from Judaism • The Status of Women and their Place in Society and the Family

11 Postscript: Between Innovation and Conservatism
Innovation and Mission • How Did Rashi Attain his Historic Status?

Bibliography
Index

‘Grossman draws heavily from the current Israeli scholarship on Rashi, including his own scholarly works, to present a well-rounded picture of Rashi. It is a work of synthesis; explicating clearly more arcane studies. Gross is a very good teacher, making his arguments clearly and using examples which clarify his own even further. He is especially helpful to explain Rashi’s relationship with the midrashic literature whether in the commentary of the Torah or elsewhere. Recommended for libraries with comprehensive undergraduate programmes and any synagogue library.’
Roger S. Kohn, Association for Jewish Libraries Reviews

‘Avraham Grossman, one of the world’s foremost scholars of medieval Judaica . . . reads some famous texts very closely in an attempt to make Rashi come to life for twenty-first century readers . . . a tour de force . . . Grossman’s book, just like the works of Rashi, can be read with profit and enjoyment by both scholars and amateurs.’
Martin Lockshin, H-Judaic