Rashi

Rashi [Rabbi Shlomo ben Isaac:] isn't just words on a page; he was a writer whose personality and opinions permeate his works, a father with three learned daughters in a time when women were forbidden to study the holy texts, and a teacher who attracted a cadre of disciples who wrote devotedly of the teachings they'd "received from his mouth." In this slim volume Wiesel writes a 'stream-of-consciousness' remembrance beginning with what he learned from Rashi as a child, then expanded with legends, musings about Rashi's Torah commentary on Genesis, and finally, comparisons between the First Crusade, which took place towards the end of Rashi's life, and the Holocaust, which stole Wiesel's youth and became the force behind his own show more prodigious writings. Throughout the book, Wiesel asks questions about the medieval scholar who so influenced his childhood. Yet not all his questions get answered. Like Rashi, Wiesel admits that there are things he doesn't know.

There are only four chapters, less than 80 pages of text. The first chapter, titled "Impressions," recounts Rashi's life and places him in a community, country, and historical setting. Legends abound, and Wiesel is careful to label them as such. Considering his own history, Wiesel can be forgiven for focusing so heavily on the adversities that Jews of Rashi's time suffered, yet he admits that "in the eleventh century … Jews in Europe and in the Holy Land lived in relative safety." During Rashi's lifetime there are no ghettos, no Inquisition, no blood libels, and no restrictions on Jews' occupations – these come much later. In fact, Rashi lived at the beginning of what is known as the Twelfth-Century Renaissance.

Some say that Rashi allows us to swim in the sea of Talmud, but Wiesel eloquently writes, "Without him, I would have gone astray more than once in the gigantic labyrinth that is the Babylonian Talmud." However one describes it, Rashi's commentary is what keeps us from drowning or getting lost in this otherwise opaque text. And since Judaism as we know it is based on the Talmud –how we celebrate our holidays, observe our life-cycle events, prepare our food, run our businesses, how we relate to our Creator - if Rashi hasn't given us the ability to understand Talmud, Judaism today would either not exist or be a very different religion.

Maggie Anton
www.rashisdaughters.com show less

A decent and approachable introduction to Rashi. It both includes historical context and information about Rashi himself, as well as Rashi's teachings itself. The book alone, however, has a mild tone of incompleteness. For instance, Wiesel explains very well how Rashi will use Edom, or Edomites as a representation of Christians in his time and place, but does not really present many teachings where this dynamic can be directly and impactfully appreciated. All together, a good, short read.

Rashi, by Elie Wiesel, is gift to the modern world. Each page is a reflection of not only Rashi’s life and work, but of his Talmudic brilliance. The book is a tribute not only to the perseverance of Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac’s (Rashi’s) work, but a tribute to the magnificent and heartfelt writing of Wiesel, himself. The book is written with sensitivity, admiration and deep respect for the man that Wiesel considered to be not only a great Master and French Talmudic Scholar, but also a person he could turn to in time of duress and need, a person who offered “first aid“, when it was necessary for healing.

For many in this modern day, Elie Wiesel represents a person who offers “first aid”, and a person who has helped others gain show more spiritual insight and healing. His writings are numerous, and his messages are always thought-provoking. He is masterful and brilliant, and his word imagery is lasting. The book, Rashi, is no exception, and is brilliantly written with vivid word images that will leave their mark in your mind and in your spiritual heart. In my opinion, it belongs in every personal library, and every public and educational library. I highly recommend it to everyone.
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An interesting portrait of Rashi, if not as in depth as I would have liked. Although, from my understanding, we know very little of the man so what is there to do.

Will definitely keep as a resource for future study.

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Un tout petit livre de vulgarisation a mettre entre toutes les mains. A partir de 10 ans.