Rashi.

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Preface to the Hebrew Edition -- Contents -- Translator's Note -- Note on Transliteration -- PART I RASHI AND HIS WORLD -- 1. The Social and Cultural Background of Rashi's Work -- The Jews' Political, Economic, and Social Status -- The Troyes Community and the Jewish Centre in Champagne -- The Twelfth-Century Renaissance -- The Jews' Social Ties to their Surroundings -- Jewish-Christian Religious Polemics -- 2. A Biographical Sketch -- Rashi's Life -- Character Traits -- Standing and Fame -- 3. Rashi's Beit Midrash -- Growth of the Beit Midrash -- 'The Great Rabbi' -- Library and Sources -- PART II: THE WRITINGS OF RASHI -- 4. Commentary on the Torah -- The Text of Rashi's Commentary on the Torah -- Rashi's Interpretative Method -- Rashi's Profound Affection for Midrash -- General Characteristics of the Commentary -- 5. Commentaries on the Later Books of the Hebrew Bible -- Language, Grammar, and References to Daily Life -- Style of the Commentaries -- General Characteristics of the Commentaries -- 6. Commentary on the Talmud -- For Whom Did Rashi Write his Commentary on the Talmud? -- Extent of the Commentary -- Interpretative Characteristics -- Connections with Other Interpretative Traditions -- Versions and Editions of the Commentary -- Changes and Contradictions -- Halakhic Rulings in Rashi's Commentary on the Talmud -- 7. Rulings, Responsa, Liturgical Poems, and Commentaries on Liturgical Poems -- Rulings -- Responsa -- Liturgical Poems -- Commentaries on Liturgical Poems -- PART III: RASHI'S WORLD-VIEW -- 8. The Uniqueness of the Jewish People -- Methodological Introduction -- The Election of Israel -- The Land of Israel -- Miracles -- Exile and Redemption -- The Nations of the World -- 9. Values -- Torah and Torah Study -- Reasons for the Commandments -- Prayer.

Truth and Humility -- Human Dignity -- Peace and Factionalism -- 10. Society -- Scholars -- Community Leaders -- Forced and Voluntary Converts from Judaism -- The Status of Women and their Place in Society and the Family -- PART IV: POSTSCRIPT -- 11. Between Innovation and Conservatism -- Innovation and Mission -- How Did Rashi Attain his Historic Status? -- Bibliography -- Index of Scriptural References -- Index of Rabbinic References -- General Index.

The influence on Jewish thinking of Rashi's commentaries on the Bible and the Talmud remains unsurpassed. This biographical study presents a masterly survey of the social and cultural background of Rashi's work, his personality, his reputation, and his influence, while also considering his sources, his interpretative method, his innovations, and his style and language. The central contribution, however, is the in-depth analysis of Rashi's world-view, which leads to conclusions that are likely to stimulate much debate.

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Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.