Rashi | Page 5

To
write it one must be a scholar, to read it a specialist. To know Rashi
well is as difficult as it is necessary. Singularly enough, popular as he
was, he was essentially a Talmudist, and at no time have connoisseurs
of the Talmud formed a majority. This is the reason why historians like
Graetz, though they dilate upon the unparalleled qualities of Rashi's
genius, can devote only a disproportionately small number of pages to
him and his works.
Though the writer has throughout been aware of the difficulties
inherent in his task, yet he is also conscious that he has sometimes
succeeded in removing them only by eluding them. In parts, when the
matter to be treated was unyielding, it became necessary to dwell on
side issues, or fill up gaps and replace obscurities by legends and
hypotheses. The object in view being a book popular in character and
accessible to all, technical discussions had to be eschewed. Many
knotty points had to be brushed aside lightly, and the most debatable

points passed over in silence. These are the sacrifices to which one
must resign himself, though it requires self-restraint to do it
consistently. The reader may, therefore, not expect to find new data in
these pages, new facts and texts not published before. If the book has
any merit, it is that it presents the actual state of knowledge on the
subject, and the author anticipates the charge of plagiarism by
disclaiming any intention of producing an original work. Recondite
sources have not always been referred to, in order not to overload a text
which at best is apt to tax the reader's powers of attention. Such
references and special remarks as were deemed necessary have been
incorporated either in Notes placed at the end of the book, or in an
Appendix containing a bibliography. There the works are mentioned to
which the author is chiefly indebted, and which his readers may
profitably consult if they desire to pursue the subject further.
The author desires to express his appreciation of the work of the
translator, whose collaboration was all the more valuable as the
revision of the book had to be made, after an interval of almost two
years, under most unfavorable conditions, aggravated by the distance
between the writer and the place of publication. The readers will
themselves judge of the skill with which the translator has acquitted
herself of her task, and the author gladly leaves to her the honor and the
responsibility for the translation.
But how can I express all I owe to M. Israel Levi, my honored master?
Without him this work would never have been begun, without him I
should never have dared carry it to completion. I have contracted a debt
toward him 'which grows from day to day, and I discharge but the
smallest portion of it by dedicating this volume to the memory of his
never-to-be-forgotten father-in-law, the Grand-Rabbin Zadoc-Kahn. M.
Zadoc-Kahn made a name for himself in Jewish letters by his
Etudes sur le livre de Joseph le Zelateur, dealing with one of
the most curious domains of that literature in which Rashi was the
foremost representative. One of his last public acts was the appeal
which he issued on the occasion of the Rashi centenary. It is not a
slight satisfaction to me to know that these pages passed under his eyes
in manuscript.
M. LIBER
CHALONS-SUR-MARNE, March, 1906

CONTENTS
PREFACE (page 3)
INTRODUCTION (page 13)
BOOK I--RASHI THE MAN
CHAPTER I
THE JEWS OF FRANCE IN THE ELEVENTH CENTURY
Dispersion of the Jews-Their Appearance in Gaul.
I. Material and Political Condition of the Jews of France in the
Eleventh Century-Their Occupations-Their Relations with the
Christians-General Instruction and Religious Life-Limitations of their
Literature.
II. Rabbinical Culture--Part played by Italy-The Kalonymides- The
Schools of Lorraine-Rabbenu Gershom, Meor ha-Golah-His Work and
Influence--Contemporaries and Disciples of Gershom-Movement
reaches its Climax with Rashi.............................page 17
CHAPTER II
THE YOUTH AND EDUCATION OF RASHI Difficulties of Writing
a Biography of Rashi-History and Legend.
I. The Periods into which Rashi's Life may be divided-His
Names-Rashi and Yarhi-Troyes in the Middle of the Eleventh
Century-The Fairs of Champagne-The Community of Troyes-The
Family of Rashi and its Fame in Legend-Childhood-Education of
Children among the Jews of France in the Middle Ages-Higher
Instruction among the Jews and the Christians-Alleged Journeys and
Adventures of Rashi.
II. Rashi in Lorraine--Position of the Jews in Lorraine--Their Relations
with the Jews of France-Schools of Worms and Mayence- Masters of
Rashi and their Influence upon him-His Colleagues and
Correspondents...........................................page 31

CHAPTER III
RASHI AT TROYES-LAST YEARS Rashi settles in his Birthplace.
I. New Centre [center sic] of Studies-Rashi and the City of
Troyes-Spiritual Activity and Authority of Rashi-Rashi founds a
School-His Authority and Teachings-His Relations with his
Teachers-He writes his Commentaries-Marriage of his Three
Daughters-His