A mer ic at r cwis

Jan,ory

Peritiall eater CLIFTON

Continued from Page 1

II

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE

19, 1940

RASHI

MIMI CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

bic; and his knowledge of Hebrew largest Sources of the medieval las de Lyra, who in turn pro- Jr. Congregation of Shaarey
foundly influenced Luther. But
Zedek to Sponsor Cham-
grammar was therefore not to be French language.
Rashi's influence, if felt somewhat
compared with that of the Bible
isho Osor b'Shvat Fete
His
Frankness
and
Sympathy
by Christians, was incalculably
interpreters of Spain. Nor did he
Rashi was not only a scholar, strong upon Jewish life. His
have the scientific, philosophical,
The Junior Congregation of
and literary background of the He is famed for a character as . scholarly descendants and stu- Shaarey Zedek will present an
pure
and
unassuming
as
a
human
dents,
the
Tosafists
(those
who
Spanish school which would have
appropriate Chamisho Osbr
enabled him to interpret more being may have. His modesty is made additions to the commentary b'Shvat program Saturday, Jan.
fully the ethical ideas or the sub- indicated by a story that Rashi of Rashi), rendered France the 27, at R p. In. in the social hall.
lime beauty of the language and once thanked an older scholar for center of Talmudic study in An interesting series of talks
him for
numerous scholars and recitations will be given, and
style of the Bible, and to weigh addressing a question to him,
These learning
num
of profound
and keen a moving picture will be shown.
with more sensitive and refined Rashi assumed that the older but Europe.
taste the value of simple explana- less learned scholar wanted only minds were all the spiritual heirs All the members and worshippers
tions of the Biblical text (peshat) to commend him should his answer of Rashi.
of the Junior Congregation are
over against the more fanciful and prove to be correct. An anecdote
There was a legend that Charle- invited to attend.
textually unjustified interpreta- from his youth, when Rashi was imported
mported the first Jewish
tions (derash), which read into still studying under a master in scholars to France, to found
the Bible references and legend- L. orraine, tells of the delicate feel- schools for his Jewish subjects. It
ary material certainly not intend- ing of this saintly character. The was no legend, but cruel history.
ed by the Bible writers. But meat of a sheep was being dress- that the kings and nobles of
Rashi's popularity was neverthe- ed, and Rashi's master had not France of the 12th, 13th, and 14th
MODERN
less deserved, for his lack of lit- noticed an error which would have centuries destroyed the Jewish
CONCERT-DANCE
erary training did not stifle a nat- rendered the meat not kosher. The schools, indeed the entire Jewish
Children and Adults
ural instinct for simple explana- error could not be allowed to pass; community of France. But when
tion. He never did violence to a yet Rashi could not venture an Jews were unceremoniously driv-
NEW TERM STARTING
text. His use of Talmudic and Mi- opinion i in the presence of his en from France in 1394, they car-
srumo:
drashic legend never overstepped master. We are told that Rashi ried the works of Rashi and his
201 Fox Theater Bldg.
cleverly
posed
a
question
to
his
the boundaries of common sense
followers to Germany. When the
For Information Call
and never floundered in exces- teacher which called his etten- Jews were expelled from Grmany,
TO. 6-3122
sively imaginative and ridiculous- tion to the error. Another indica- the T. almudic study founded by
ly fanciful interpretations. He tion of Rashi's modesty is his fre- Rashi was transferred to Poland.
chose the best—not all—of the quent admission, in both his com-
that he is puzzled by If Jewry does not recover from
legendary and homiletical explan- mentaries,
a passage and does not understand the onslaught of Nazi brutality to-
ations. More than that: He never
day, the learning inspired by
used a legendary interpretation it.
Rashi will continue—perhaps in
without also throwing light in
Rashi had, moreover, a sym- Palestine, perhaps in America,
simple and direct fashion on the pathy and love for his fellow hu- perhaps in many countries. But it
Residential Hotel
Before
his death
actual meaning of the text. He man
1105 beings.
Rashi saw
the first
of the in will continue. For so long as Jews
•
achieved a delicate and difficult
will
the
balance between the common tragic events which were destined will live,
of the they
Bible
and continue
the Talmud.
ATTRACTIVE SUITES
sense explanation on the one hand to destroy the Jewish community study
And o so long as they study the
FROM 1 TO 5 RMS.,
and the intellectually entertain- of f France. The First Crusade Bible and the Talmud, which are
SOME WITH 2 BATHS.
(
1096-7)
resulted
in
riots
and
ing, folkloristic explanation on
the two chief sources of the Jew-
COMPLETE HOTEL
the other. Indeed, countless stu- massacres that cost the lives of ish tradition, so long will the study
SERVICE. FURN. OR
dents who might otherwise never thousands of Jews. Rashi himself of them be made easier and more
UNFUR. DINING ROOM
have come in contact with the lost friends and relatives to the pleasant through the interpreta-
AND GARAGE IN CON-
voluminous Midrashic literature swords of the Crusaders. Some tions of Rashi, one of the strong-
NECTION. N E W RE.
of our people have been at least Jews preferred conversion to est and most honored links in the
FRIGERATION A N D
introduced to it by Rashi's free death; and when they sought to
TABLE TOP STOVES
rejoin
the
Jewish
community
after
chain
of
Jewish
traditions.
drawing upon the wealth of leg-
(Copyright. rose, 8. A. F. S.)
BEING INSTALLED.
end and ethical homily in the the Crusaders had gone, many
TO. 8.2680
Jews at first refused to accept Britain Warns Against Illegal
Midrash of the rabbis.
them.
Rashi,
however,
insisted
that
Immigration
Into
Palestine
His Flair for Charity
a warm welcome be given to those
LONDON. — (WNS) — The
It Would be a grievous error of who returned. This same leniency
omission not to stress the abso- and understanding were shown by Foreign Office isued a statement
lute, crystal clearness of Rashi's Rashi on numerous occesions in here warning against ilegal im-
migration to Palestine.
q
commentary. Rashi was never ob- his
• man decision s on uestions
of law and practise addressed to
• by his contemporaries.
scure. He never failed to make nim
Overlooking the Ocean
his explanation easily understand-
Rashi's influence on later gen-
able, even to comparative novices. erations cannot be overestimated.
HModern in every respect
He rarely indulged in lengthy ex- indirectly, for example, Martin
All outside rooms. Palm Gardens—Elevator
planations. He used brief phrases Luther's Bible translation is based
—Radio & Telephone in rooms.
on the commentary of Rashi,
Dancing in Garden and Grill—Excellent
—or even single words—to mar- which was so freely used by a 14th
Cuisine. Dietary Laws Observed—European
velous advantage. No one who century Franciscan monk, Nicho-

tory describes the development in
Jewish Spain of a galaxy of shin-
ing lights in the fields of poetry,
Philosophy, Hebrew grammar,
and interpretation of the Bible,
and t development in France of
a group of Talmudic students who
rescued from oblivion the study
of the Babylonian Talmud. The
founder and greatest figure
among this schoolof French
scholars was born i in the year
1040. AB over the world, in what-
ever lands Jews may study their
history or gather to honor their
spiritual great, there will be lec-
tures, articles, and celebrations,
to note the 900th anniversary of
the birth of Rabbi Solomon ben
Isaac, more familiarly known to
Jews by the name formed from
his initials—Rashi.
The Jews of France had lived
there at least since the 5th cen-
tury. Until the time of Rashi they
lived in comparative comfort and
safety. They were by no means
given a share in the government
or allowed to hold public office;
but they were unmolested, for
the most part, in their efforts to
make a living and continue the
practise of the Jewish way of life.
They spoke French and lived in
congenial relationships with their
neighbors.
Greatest Scholar of His Time
Rashi was born at Troyes. From
early youth he was given as
thorough a Jewish education as
his times afforded. He journeyed
from his native city of Troyes
in order to study at the great
schools of Lorraine, in Worms
and Mayence. There he sat at the
feet of scholars who passed on to
him the deep piety and love of
learning of their sublime master,
Rabbi Gershom ben Judah, who
was reverently and gratefully
called "The Light of the Exile."
Rashi displayed very early a
keenness of perception and depth
of intellect that enabled him to
master the full learning possible
among Jews in 11th century
France. When he returned to
Troyes at the age of 25, he was
already acknowledged to be one
of the greatest scholars of his
time.
In accordance with the custom has read Rashi has failed to ap-
of his age, Rashi received no sal- preciate the positively breath-tak-
aries or stipends for his services ing flair for clarity and concise-
as rabbi and teacher. He earned
writ-
his living and supported his wife ness that characterizes his writ-
and family of three daughters, by ings. He has been termed an artist
growing grapes and making wine in the field of commentary.
for sale.
Valuable and popular though
About the year 1070—at the his Bible commentary is, it is
age of 30—Rashi founded a surpassed by the more original
school at Troyes. To it flocked and more scientific commentary
students from many parts of on the Talmud. The very scope
France and Germany. In a few of the work—almost the entire
years the fame of his school was Talmud is covered—is staggering.
to eclipse that of the academies It represents a prodigious effort.
of Lorraine, to which as a young Rashi began (as indeed he did
man Rashi himself had journeyed with his commentary on the
to drink of the waters of Jewish Bible) by trying to establish a
learning. It was at this academy. correct text of the Talmud, free
and as part of his efforts to make from the errors of copyists and
the study of Jewish tradition eas- free from the whims of those who
ier for his eager and admiring changed a reading of the text to
students, that the great Rashi un- satisfy a strictly personal idea. He
dertook the two works that have diligently compared various manu-
made him famous wherever Jews scripts until he had ironed out
continue the study of their spir- difficulties in the text to the best
itual heritage — his commentary of his ability. He studied doubtful
on the Bible and his commentary readings and established the text
in a way to render it as simple and
on the Talmud.
Rashi's commentary on the self-consistent as possible. In the
Bible, which is not quite com- commentary itself Rashi brings to
plete for the entire Bible, was bear upon the intricate and in-
and is one of the most widely read volved logic of the Talmudic dis-
works in the field of Jewish cussion the full strength of his
learning. It is popular in the best unfailing instinct for lucid and
sense of the word. It won wide simple explanations. Students mar-
fame at once and quickly assumed vel at the unpretentious manner
a position of eminence as the most in which Rashi's commentary, by
extensively used commentary and a brief phrase or a single word,
interpretation of the Bible. The will cut through the knots of Tal-
first printed Hebrew book which mudic logic and present the argu-
bears a date was a printing of ment in simple lines completely
the commentary of Rashi on the without difficulty. His reasoning
Pcatrl each, which came off the is not subtle. It is direct and open.
pre:;•-e, at Reggio in 1475. (This He presents the meaning with
volum:. and other rare items of ease, yet with thoroughness. It is
Rashi ere on public exhibition this entirely unthinkable that any stu-
wintrr at the Jewish Theological dent of the Talmud should study
Seminar y of American.—Editor's a single page or a single . passage
note). without consulting Rashi's com-
mentary. Rashi is not only an in
Use of Text and Legend
dispensable aid to the study of the
No rabbinical Bible was print- Talmud: his commentary has be-
ef
an integral part of the study
ed after that time without the
commentary of Rashi. Every Jew- of the text, itself.
ish youngster who attained to
It is interesting to note that
what was considered a necessary Rashi, in his commentaries, tried
minimu
m to
of read
Jewish
was to identify every plant and animal
obliged
the learning
Pentateuch
with the explanation of Rashi. mentioned
in many
the Bible
and and
the
Talmud. For
of these
If Rashi's commentary on the other names he gave the French
Bible was popular, it was a well- equivalent. Altogether there are
deserved popularity. It is true that about 3,000 oldFrench words
this commentary was by no means used as explanations in Rashi s
as scientific as those of the Span- commentaries, a vocabulary of
E ish commentators, Abraham ibn about 2,000 different words.
zra s for example. Unfortu- Scholars have seized eagerly up-
,n atelY, Rashi knew only the He- on Rashi's commentaries for a
brew and Aramaic works before study of 11th century French, for
his time not those written in Ara- here is one of the earliest an d

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