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Session Two
Unexpected Depths: Chumash with Rashi

Rashi

Rashi, (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki) known as Parshandata, or The Commentator, par excellence is the most famous and important biblical commentator of all time.

Rashi was born in Troyes, France and lived from 1040-1105. He earned his living from growing grapes. By the age of 25, his fame as a scholar attracted students and he formed an academy. He had three daughters. Two of his grandsons are famous commentators themselves: Rabbenu Tam, and RaShBam.

Rashi's style is very brief. He occasionally explains words in (Medieval) French, or mentions contemporary (to him) items such as food, utensils or clothing. (His French is an important source for Medieval French scholarship!) He sometimes even admits he doesn't know the answer! The trick to Rashi-study, is to understand the question he rarely articulates, but that prompts his commentary.

"Rashi Letters"
What we call Rashi letters were not invented by Rashi! The first Hebrew book that was printed was the Torah with Rashi's commentary. To distinguish the Rashi from the biblical text, his commentary was written in the cursive hand used at that time. The letters used for Rashi's commentary then became known simply as 'Rashi letters.'

Most of the letters are fairly straight-forward and resemble their printed or today's cursive equivalents, except these few on the left. After studying them, see if you can decipher these common Hebrew words on the right.
A word about 'Rashi Script'
The first Hebrew book was the Chumash with Rashi's commentary. The Masoretic text was printed in square Hebrew letters, with Rashi's commentary written in a cursive hand, both because it saves space (and is faster to write) and to distinguish it from the text. These letters became associated with Rashi's commentary, and became known, as 'Rashi letters' for short. Rashi did not invent them!


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	Rashi Rashi, (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki) known as Parshandata, or The Commentator, par excellence is the most famous and important biblical commentator of all time. Rashi was born in Troyes, France and lived from 1040-1105. He earned his living from growing grapes. By the age of 25, his fame as a scholar attracted students and he formed an academy. He had three daughters. Two of his grandsons are famous commentators themselves: Rabbenu Tam, and RaShBam. Rashi's style is very brief. He occasionally explains words in (Medieval) French, or mentions contemporary (to him) items such as food, utensils or clothing. (His French is an important source for Medieval French scholarship!) He sometimes even admits he doesn't know the answer! The trick to Rashi-study, is to understand the question he rarely articulates, but that prompts his commentary. "Rashi Letters" What we call Rashi letters were not invented by Rashi! The first Hebrew book that was printed was the Torah with Rashi's commentary. To distinguish the Rashi from the biblical text, his commentary was written in the cursive hand used at that time. The letters used for Rashi's commentary then became known simply as 'Rashi letters.' Most of the letters are fairly straight-forward and resemble their printed or today's cursive equivalents, except these few on the left. After studying them, see if you can decipher these common Hebrew words on the right.	A word about 'Rashi Script' The first Hebrew book was the Chumash with Rashi's commentary. The Masoretic text was printed in square Hebrew letters, with Rashi's commentary written in a cursive hand, both because it saves space (and is faster to write) and to distinguish it from the text. These letters became associated with Rashi's commentary, and became known, as 'Rashi letters' for short. Rashi did not invent them!