rashi

Rashi, an abbreviation of Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, was a medieval French Jewish scholar (1040–1105) renowned for his commentaries on the Hebrew Bible and the Babylonian Talmud. His concise yet deeply sourced explanations became a cornerstone of Jewish study and scholarship, influencing generations of readers and commentators.

Life and works: Rashi lived in Troyes, in the Champagne region of northern France. He served as a teacher and community leader, producing biblical and Talmudic commentaries that accompanied the primary texts. His biblical commentary emphasizes peshat, or the plain meaning, while integrating linguistic notes and references to midrash and earlier rabbinic interpretation. On the Talmud, his commentary clarifies difficult terms, explains legal concepts, and connects passages to other tractates and sources. His work is widely printed alongside the biblical and Talmudic texts in standard editions.

Influence and legacy: Rashi’s method of combining linguistic analysis with interprets of tradition set a standard for later commentators, including the Tosafists. His clarifying approach helped lay the groundwork for modern Jewish exegesis and education. The enduring popularity of his commentaries is reflected in their persistent appearance next to the text in printed editions and their use as a starting point for study. The term “Rashi script” also arose in reference to the specific Hebrew typeface used in many commentaries printed in his era.

Death and remembrance: Rashi died in 1105 and is traditionally associated with his home in Troyes, where his burial site is commemorated. Today, his commentaries remain among the most widely studied and cited sources in Jewish scholarship, continuing to shape understanding of both the Bible and the Talmud.