850th Aitniversary of Scholar's Death
40 Years Devoted to an Ideal
Chesed shel Emes Draws
llashi-The Jewish Commentator Its In,spiration from the Bible
the masses. He was the school-
master par excellence.
Used French to Clarify Text
The best known of Judaism's distiller of wine.
One of the fascinating aspects
In his commentary he indi-
literary heroes is Rabbi Solo-
mon ben Isaac, the ever popular cated through his humility that of Rashi's commentary was his
Rashi. This year the Jewish he never sought to escape a dif- use of the French language. In ,
world is observing the 850th an- ficult situation. If he came to a his zeal to make sure that he
niversary of the death of the complicated passage and could was understood he frequently
best known interpreter of the not explain it, he would merely used the vernacular. In this case
it was Medieval French.
Bible, the meek vinegrower and say "I do not know."
These French words or
humble sage of Troyes. The
`Prince of Commentators'
phrases are known as "La'azim."
yahrzeit occurs on the ninth of
Rashi has held the distinction
In his commentary, ld
Tammuz.
of being the Prince of Commen-
It is generally accepted that tators for nine centuries. His French word or phrase is re-
Rashi was born in the year that commentary covers the entire ferred to as "B'lashone Am Zar"
Hai Gaon, the last of the Bible with the exception of the and usually appears in an ab-
Geonirn, died in Babylonia. This Book of Chronicles, and the Tal- breviation. "B'la'az" (meaning
Nathan Wolok
Rabbi Rockove
Dave Richman
is in the Jewish tradition that mud with the exception of a "in a foreign language.") Rashi's
repeated
translations
of
words,
The society started modestly,
By FRANK SIMONS
corroborates the rabbinic . state- few tractates.
phrases and propositions into
In the closing portions of the as an outgrowth of a common
ment that the sun never sets on
After the Temple was de- French of which there are 3,157
Book of Genesis, Jacob, know- practice early in the century,
Jewish spiritual achievement.
stroyed. in the year 70, Hebrew
The name Rashi was given, was no longer spoken by the la'azim, constitute valuable ing he is at the brink of death, when neighbors would rally
to the great commentator ac- Jewish masses. It was replaced source material for the recon- asks his son, Joseph, to return to collect enough funds to de-
cording to the old Jewish prac- by Aramaic which had been struction of Old French. Rashi's him to the land of his fathers fray the cost of burial of the
tice of utilizing the initial let- spoken by many Jews for some commentary in the Talmud and there to bury him in the deceased.
In May of 1916, Sam Sand-
ters of a person's name. His time already. A translation was alone is reputed to have over cave of Machpelah.
The fulfillment of this act is weiss, the principal founder of
name was Solomon, the son of made into Aramaic known as 1,100 Old French words in He-
Isaac, and so he became known "Targum Onkelos." This trans- brew characters, many of which thus described • in Gen. 47:29 the society. and later its first
as Rabbi Shlomo Itzchaki. In lation and partial commentary antedate the ancient French with the words Chesed v'Emes president, gathered together a
group of men to secure these
France he was known as Rabbi is found in the traditional Pen- written in Latin characters in —mercy and truth.
funds for free burial.
Shlomo Hatzarfati (the French- tateuch (Chumash) of the syna- late times.
In
his
commentary
on
the
Christian humanists trans-
man). In the Christian world gogue. Since the translation by
Only a year later, the Chesed
above
verse„
the
revered
Rashi
of Hebraic scholarship he was Onkelos was felt to be inade- lated Rashi's commentary of the uses the expression Chesed shel shel Emes, or as it was known
Bible
into
Latin.
The
French
called Rabbi Solomon Gallicus. quate, as it did not cover the
in those days, the Hebrew
Monk, Nicolas de Lyra, made Emes, meaning an act of true Free Burial Society, moved into
other books of the Bible, an- use of Rashi to influence Martin kindness.
History of French Jewry
Jews have been living in other text developed known as Luther, whose German Bible
He goes on to explain that its first home, at 563 Brewster.
France since the first century. Targum Jonathan, which was contributed so much towards the when we do a deed for some- Land was also bought at 14 -
Legend tells us that Jews were both a translation and commen- Reformation. One punster, com- one who yet lives, there is per- Mile and Gratiot for a cemetery,
living in what is now France tary on the books beside the menting on the fact that Luther haps, though not intentionally, still used to this date.
Following the community, the
even before the Hebrews had Pentateuch.
leaned so much on de Lyra's some hope of reward. Yet, when
By the ninth and tenth cen- writings, said, "Luther played the deed is done as _prescribed society moved to 535 Frederick
established their kingdom in
Canaan. The Book of Judges in turies several commentaries on Rashi's lyre." Eventually, after death, it is really Chesed in May of 1923 and seven years
later ended its wandering. The
the Bible tells us that when all were created, including that of practically every important shel Ernes, or true kindness.
the tribes of Israel went to war Saadia Gaon. In the next two translation, including the fam-
This is the principle be- present building, was remodeled
against the tribe of Benjamin, centuries a number of French ous King James version, has hind the naming of one of in 1951, and only last year the
600 members of the tribe of Jewish scholars wrote commen- made use of Rashi's commen-
Detroit's oldest communal building next door was pur-
re- taries.
Benjamin had escaped. These taries, but none fulfilled
institutions — the Chesed shel chased to provide for expan-
warriors, the legend maintains, quirements that +1-1.:,y were in-
Jews do not usually raise Ernes society, or the Hebrew sion.
had escaped to "Germania." terA.- -1 It was for this reason monuments of stone to com-
The organization is unique
Benevolent Society, which
t hat Rashi decided to create his
Some texts have "Romania."
since 1930 has been located at among institutions of its kind
memorate national figures or
The first Jewish schn17.., to own commentary.
in that it entirely owns and
2995 Joy Rd.
heroes. In the case of Rashi,
When the Jewish world ob- there is not even a tombstone to
settle in Fr _ anc!. ::a.me there in
This year, the Chesed shel operates all phases of its activ-
the Pig :+.11 century at the invi- served in 1940 the 900th anni- indicate the place of his last Emes is celebrating its 40th an- ity—building, staff and equip-
tation of Carl the Great, founder versary of the birth of Rashi, a resting place. Yet, he does not niversary in Detroit. Later in ment.
of the French empire. His terri- writer in the Forward declared• need a monument in stone. His the season the full impact of
While the original purpose
tory included what is now Ger- that of all great Jews in the literary achievement, his meek the anniversary festivities will of the institution was to aid
many, France and Italy. The Middle Ages, Rashi was un- character and his nobility of be called to mind when the the indigent who could not af-
Jews who came to the Rhine- doubtedly the most popular and soul, all are serving as lasting official celebration takes place ford to pay burial expenses, its
land established rabbinic acade- most beloved in Jewry.
memorials to the Sage of at a banquet on Dec. 9, at Adas existence today has taken on
mies which attracted large
other meanings.
The Rashi Legend
Shalom Synagogue.
Troyes.
numbers of students from
Rashi's life is shrouded in
With 40 years behind it,
Babylon. One of these was the legend. Among the better known
the institution's purpose is
famous Rabbenu Gershom M'Or legends is that of Godfrey of
generally known in the com-
Hagolah (The Light of the Bouillon, who, having heard of
munity; people know of its
Exile).
the famed rabbi's wisdom, de-
significance; families wish to
Rashi received his early Jew-- cided to consult him about the
be laid to rest with their loved
ish education at home. Later he possible success of his undertak-
ones; and there are those who
traveled to Worm and Mayence ings. Godfrey went to Rashi's
feel the need- to support it.
where, although experiencing academy.
Despite these outward chang-
Many physical privations, he
"I see that your wisdom is
es, the Chesed shel Ernes still
had the good fortune of having great" Said Godfrey. - "I should
operates as a non-profit institu-
three disciples of Rabbenu Ger- like to know whether I shall
tion. While not receiving funds
shom as his teachers.
return from my campaign vic-
from the organized community,
Marrying at a youthful age, torious, or will I fail. Speak
its operations are subsidized by
Rashi became the father of three without fear."
a member_ship of 4,000 contribu-
daughters, although he was not
Rashi replied, "You will con-
tors.
blessed with a son. He was most quer Jerusalem and you will
Its goals still emphasize the
fortunate in his sons-in-law, for rule over the holy city for three
original purpose of its founders
they were scholarly men. His days. However, on the fourth
—to provide free burial for
truly wonderful fortune were day the Mohammedans will de-
those who need it, or to pay
his grandson s, through his feat you and when you return
that part above which a family
daughter, Yochebed. The elder only three horses will be left
cannot afford to pay.
of the grandsons was Rabbi with you."
Rabbi Israel I. Rockove, the
Samuel ben Meir, who is best
"This may be," Godfrey said,
executive director of the so-
known as the RaShbaM. An "but if I come back with even
ciety, compares it much to a
even greater scholar was the one more horse than you say, I
hospital where there are several
RaShbaM's brother, Jacob, pop- shall throw your body to the
categories of patients — the
ularly known as Rabbenu Tam dogs and put to death every
wealthy, who can afford to pay;
the "perfect" or "possessor of Jew in France.". .
the average, who can pay at
integrity." Both of the grand-
According to the legend, God-
least some of the expense; and
sons became great commenta- frey returned. accompanied by
the charity cases, who can not
tors, second only to their notable three horsemen in addition to
and are not expected to pay
grandfather.
his own horse. This was one
for anything.
Rashi's Disciples: Tosafists
more than Rashi's prediction.
Yet, Rabbi Rockove ex-
Some of Rashi's disciples and The Crusader r em emb er ed
plained, "We pride ourselves .
rabbis for a century and a half Rashi's prophecy and was de-
on the democratic process
who were influenced by him termined to fulfill his threat.
which has been established."-
Wrote Tosafot, that is, additions However, as he entered the city
There is no lesser service
and comments to his discussions of Troyes, a .large rock fell on
given, even though there is no,
on the Talmud. These followers one of the horsemen killing him
ability to pay, he says. Even
of Rashi became known as the and his horse. Godfrey was
in burial, the rich rest next
Tosafists, that is, annotators of amazed at the miracle and de-
to the,poor.
-
supplements.
cided to go' to visit Rashi and
Rabbi Rockove is aided in
When Rashi was 25 years old, pay him a proper tribute. But
carrying out the work of the
he returned to Troyes and be- he soon learned he was dead.
Chesed shel Emes by officers
came dayan (judge), unofficial The great sage had died during
"Yam Hamavet Hai!" Recently these words—"The Dead Sea' elected by the society's mem-
rabbi and scribe. By the time he the era of the First Crusade.
was - 30, he established an
Rashi was great for many rea- Lives"—were spelled out in giant letters made of gunny sacks bership. They are:
David Richman, president;
academy which attracted many sons. He was an authority of and raised on a hight overlooking Ein Gedi, pioneer outpost
Nathan Wolok, vice-president;
students. Rashi's advice was Talmudic law, he wrote in the on the Dead Sea. When the village was captured by Israel eight
Barney Citrin, secretary; Peter
sought by other communities field of synagogue literature, he years ago during the War of Independence, the soil was littered
S. Goldstein, treasurer; Hyman
and he became an outstanding was the teacher of many dis- by rocks, ancient terraces were crumbling and desert brush
Mitnick, Nathan P. Rossen and
covered the landscape. Now, because of the reclamation of the
authority.
ciples who became great in their
Abe Miller, trustees. Sam Nel-
He refused payment as a own name, and he is noted in land by the Jewish National Fund, and the pioneering efforts
son, who served as president on
rabbi. Living in the champagne the field of responsa, but above of a group of NAHAL (youth who spend part of their military
two occasions, holds the office
country, he earned a frugal live- all his greatest fame lies in the service in agriculture) the town flourishes as an outpost
of honorary president.
lihood as a vineyard owner and fact that he was the teacher of - of strategic importance in safeguarding Israel's borders.
By HARRY CUSHING
(Copyright, 1956, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
0.3
The Dead Sea Lives
with an Assist from, the TNT
•