רש"י The life and Story of RashiPresented by

'כתה ג

חדר מנחם – התשע"א

Many years ago, there lived a famous Sage. His name was ר' שלמה יצחקי

on the פירוש wrote the famous ר' שלמה יצחקיTorah – Rashi – which we all learn when we learn Chumash

So here is Rashi’s story…A long time ago there lived a diamond Merchant named ר' יצחק.

The Cardinal in Worms, Germany needed a gem for his priestly garments.

“We know the perfect person to buy a gem from – ר' יצחק"

was not excited to ר' יצחקsell a gem to be used for עבודה זרה

What should he do? He could make a lot of money by selling the gem to the church!

But NO! He would not make money from עבודה!So he thought of a plan .זרה

“It is not easy to see this gem in the dark house. Come with me on my boat in the ocean for a little sail. There we will talk business!”

On the boat, ר יצחק showed the Cardinal’s men the precious gem. They oohed and ahhed at its beauty.

And then – horrors of horrors! ר יצחק stood up to better inspect the gem!

He lost his balance and tripped – dropping the expensive gem in the waters of the deep blue ocean!

The Cardinal’s men were horrified and upset. But there was nothing to do!

knew he ר יצחקhad done the right thing –even at such a great monetary loss. And Hashem rewarded him. His wife soon became pregnant with a special child.

Once, ר יצחק‘s wife was walking on the narrow street of the Jewish quarter of Worms when suddenly a nobleman on a horse came galloping towards her!

Frantic with worry, she tried to press herself against the wall – but there was no room! She would certainly be hit! What would happen to the little baby inside of her?

But miracles of miracles! The wall bent inwards and the horsemen galloped past her. Until today, you can see this bent wall in the Jewish quarter of Worms.

For she was carrying a special baby – one who would light up the world with his explanations of Torah!

and his wife merited to have a ר יצחקspecial son – because of their love and devotion to Hashem.

Rashi supported himself by planting vineyards and selling wine in the city of Troyes, France.

Rashi had 3 learned daughters who all married great Talmidei Chachomim.

But his greatest gift is the words of Torah he explained – so that every child could love and understand Chumash.

Today, we are so lucky because now we are ready to learn Rashi.