Sources variously give Rashi's surname as Yitzchaki, deriving from his father's name, Yitzchak, or Yarchi (ירחי), indicating that his family came from [[Lunel]] (ירח, Yareach, in Hebrew). The acronym is sometimes also fancifully expanded as '''Ra'''bban '''Sh'''el '''I'''srael (רבן של ישראל), Teacher of Israel [i.e. the Jewish People]), or as '''Ra'''bbenu '''SheY'''ichyeh" (רבינו שיחיה), our Rabbi, may he live.
==Overview==
Perhaps the best known and most basic of all Rishonim, Rav Shlomo Yitzchaki (son of Yitzchak) lived in Troyes, France from 1040 until 1105. His most important work is his commentary on the Talmud, which appears on the inside margin of almost every page (except for in a few select areas where his commentary is unavailable to us) and is responsible for opening up the Talmud to a much wider range of students than ever before possible. His commentary explains the text phrase by phrase, and thus is an invaluable guide for reading through a page of the Talmud. In addition, Rashi authored an equally famous commentary on the Torah, which incorporates his own views, as well as many Midrashim and grammatical notes. He also wrote a commentary on the rest of the Bible, as well as supplications for mercy written in the wake of the First Crusade (1096), which ravaged many communities in Europe. His grandsons include the Tosafists [[Rashbam]] and Rabbeinu Tam, and his students also included [[Rav Simcha of Vitri]] and Rav Shemaya.
In [[2006]], the [[Jewish National and University Library]] at [[Hebrew University]] put on an exhibit commemorating the 900th anniversary of Rashi's death, showcasing rare items from the library collection written by Rashi, as well as various works by others concerning Rashi.
==View on Noahides==
Ours is not the first generation of Jews bothered Rashi’s exclusionist, anti-gentile tone. Sifthei Hakhamim, by Rabbi Shabbatai Bass, a sixteenth-century commentary on Rashi, consistently reworks Rashi to impose a more ethical reading. However, the role of these comments of Rashi in the Jewish education system today remains problematic.
==Overview==
Perhaps the best known and most basic of all Rishonim, Rav Shlomo Yitzchaki (son of Yitzchak) lived in Troyes, France from 1040 until 1105. His most important work is his commentary on the Talmud, which appears on the inside margin of almost every page (except for in a few select areas where his commentary is unavailable to us) and is responsible for opening up the Talmud to a much wider range of students than ever before possible. His commentary explains the text phrase by phrase, and thus is an invaluable guide for reading through a page of the Talmud. In addition, Rashi authored an equally famous commentary on the Torah, which incorporates his own views, as well as many Midrashim and grammatical notes. He also wrote a commentary on the rest of the Bible, as well as supplications for mercy written in the wake of the First Crusade (1096), which ravaged many communities in Europe. His grandsons include the Tosafists [[Rashbam]] and Rabbeinu Tam, and his students also included [[Rav Simcha of Vitri]] and Rav Shemaya.
In [[2006]], the [[Jewish National and University Library]] at [[Hebrew University]] put on an exhibit commemorating the 900th anniversary of Rashi's death, showcasing rare items from the library collection written by Rashi, as well as various works by others concerning Rashi.
==His birth==
After this incident, Yitzchak decided to move temporarily to the city of [[Worms, Germany]] in case the emperor came looking for him again. He and his wife lived in the Jewish quarter and attended the small synagogue there, awaiting the birth of their child. At the time, a wicked [[bishop]] was harassing the Jews of Worms, pestering them to [[religious conversion|convert]] to [[Christianity]].
Rashi said: “The Gemara states that all the writings and language of the nations is not from them. This means as follows: All of the books of heretics were written by Yochanon, Paulus and Petrus, who were Jews. They purposely infected their culture in order to sway the Christian faith away from Judaism. They themselves were not heretics and did so for the benefit of the Jewish people, as written in the book [[Teliya Ye.Sh.U]]”
One day, as Miriam was walking down the narrow alley to pray at the synagogue, a massive chariot carrying the bishop came charging through the alley. There was no room to escape; Miriam turned to the wall and pressed herself against it. According to legend, the wall softened and accommodated her pregnant form. The chariot rushed by and she was unscathed. To this day, a crevice in the wall is still visible; the neighboring building houses the [[Rashi Synagogue]], where Rashi is believed to have taught.
Rashi's commentary on the Tanakh—and especially, the [[Humash|Chumash]] (Five Books of [[Moses]])—is the essential companion for any study at any level, beginning, intermediate and advanced. Drawing on the breadth of Midrashic, Talmudic and [[aggadata|Aggadic]] literature (including literature that is no longer extant), as well as his knowledge of grammar, halakhah, and how things work, Rashi clarifies the "simple" meaning of the text so that a bright child of five could understand it. At the same time, his commentary forms the foundation for some of the most profound legal analysis and mystical discourses that came after it. Scholars debate why Rashi chose a particular Midrash to illustrate a point, or why he used certain words and phrases and not others.
Legend also surrounds the writing of this commentary, which is seen by many to have been written with ''[[Ruach Hakodesh]]'' (divine inspiration) to explain its mass appeal. The [[Chaim Joseph David Azulai|Chida]] wrote, "Apparently, Rashi wrote his commentary by using a secret [technique to gain Godly inspiration], and therefore he fasted 613 times [before undertaking this project]" (''Shem Hagedolim''). According to others, Rashi wrote three versions of his commentary—one long, one short, and one mid-length; the latter version is the one we have today.
Scholars believe that Rashi's commentary on the Torah grew out of the lectures he gave to his students in his yeshiva, and evolved with the questions and answers they raised on it. Rashi only completed this commentary in the last years of his life. It was immediately accepted as authoritative by all Jewish communities, [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]] and [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardi]] alike.
===Responsa===
About 300 of Rashi's [[responsa]] and halakhic decisions are extant. These responsa were copied and preserved by his students. ''[[Machzor Vitry]]'' contains Rashi's responsa on prayer; this work was edited by Rabbi [[Simchah of Vitry]], whose son, Rabbi Shmuel, married Rashi's granddaughter Miriam (daughter of Yocheved). ''Siddur Rashi'', compiled by an unknown student, also contains Rashi's responsa on prayer. Other compilations include ''Sefer Hapardes'', edited by Rabbi Shemayah, Rashi's student, and ''Sefer Haoraah'', prepared by Rabbi Nathan Hamachiri.
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