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Great Chanukah Gi
The perfect gift for someone who treasures sefarim! Rashi
RABBEINU SHLOMO YITZCHAKI
Great Jewish Classics, a gorgeous, full-color coffeetable book by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, explores some of our most important and beloved sefarim, in fascinating text and stunning pictures. From Rashi to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, from Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch to Rav Ovadia Yosef, from Torah and Talmud commentaries to collections of halachic responsa to works of mussar — Great Jewish Classics introduces us anew to more than 100 classic Jewish sefarim that have molded and guided our people.
Rashi
Orchos Tzaddikim AUTHOR UNKNOWN
T
he “father of all Torah commentators” is Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (1040-1105), known as Rashi, an acronym for his name. His indispensable annotations on Scripture and Talmud are clear and concise, and they speak to both erudite scholars as well as to novice students.
O
What merit did Rashi have to write this commentary that achieved such universal acclaim? Tradition attributes it to the merit of his pious parents, who had been childless for many years. Rashi’s father, R’ Yitzchak, once had a precious jewel and was approached by people who wished to buy it to adorn their idol. R’ Yitzchak agreed to travel by ship with them to their leader, but en route, he cast the gem into the sea. Afterward he was informed from on high that he would be rewarded with the birth of a precious son who would illuminate the world with his Torah knowledge.
section focuses on a different middah, and clearly describes the nature of the trait, combining various teachings of our Sages with
mesmerizing
pearls
of
wisdom,
maxims, and parables, giving the student an appreciation of what he must do to properly transform himself.
There is a legend that once, while Rashi’s mother was pregnant with him, she walked down one of the narrow lanes in the Jewish Quarter of Worms and an oncoming wagon careened toward her, threatening her and her unborn child. She pressed herself against a wall, which formed a niche and protected her. For centuries, Jews have pointed to the niche in the wall where this was said to have occurred, and it is visible even today. Rashi’s fame was so great — and this story was so well known — that although this miracle occurred in Germany, it is even recorded in Judeo-Arabic manuscipts written in Yemen during the Middle Ages.
The reconstructed niche in the wall in Worms where Rashi’s mother is said to have been miraculously saved
ne of the fundamental mussar classics, Orchos Tzaddikim (lit., The Ways of the Righteous), provides a precise system
for perfecting one’s character traits. Each
The author of this beloved sefer of ethics is unknown. What we do know is that the book was first published in a Yiddish translation in Krakow some 500 years ago, and its original Hebrew was first published in 1580 in Prague. Since then, over 80 editions have been printed. The author originally named his work Sefer HaMiddos
Rashi’s primary focus was to explain the peshuto shel mikra, the simple, plain meaning of the text (see, for example, Rashi to Genesis 3:8), though he frequently cites midrashim to provide a more comprehensive understanding.
(The Book of Traits), but it was renamed
In his humility, Rashi readily conceded that his commentary is not the only approach to a simple understanding of the text. His illustrious grandson, the Rashbam, also an exegete, in his commentary (Genesis 37:2) recounts, “[Rashi,] my mother’s father, the great light of the exile … devoted himself to explaining the plain meaning of the text. I, Shmuel, son of his son-in-law R’ Meir, of blessed memory, disagreed with him [about certain explanations] in his presence, and he acknowledged to me that, had he the time, he would write additional commentaries based on the ‘simple understandings’ that come to light each day.”
“This book is named The Book of Traits.
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Orchos Tzaddikim by a later copyist. In the introduction, the author writes, I wrote it and sealed it with the seal of wisdom to instruct man with intelligence, for it to serve as a handbook — to be a tool by which he can correct his traits and actions. The artisan who has the proper equipment can do his work, but without the tools he needs, he can do Orchos Tzaddikim, Prague, 1580
nothing. Therefore, my son, listen to
258 | Great Jewish ClassiCs
also available by
Rabbi Moshe Bamberger
Family-friendly recipes for every day and special occasions Thousands of Miriam Pascal’s fans asked for it, and now, finally, here it is: A stunning collection of recipes for real-life cooking — and real people — from the famous “overtime cook!”
also available by Miriam
Pascal
• Over 160 doable recipes you’ll make again and again • Mouthwatering photo for every dish • Accessible, easy-to-find ingredients • Easy-to-follow instructions • Menu suggestions for family and special occasions • “Plan Ahead” and/or freezer tips for each recipe • Pesach substitutions guide • Comprehensive Index
15,000 COPIES SOLD!
Chanukah Titles HALACHIC HANDBOOK
THE LAWS OF CHANUKAH
by Rabbi Yitzchak Rosedale edited by Rabbi Shmuel Felder
THE STORY OF CHANUKAH by Sarah Leon
CHANUKAH
WITH BINA, BENNY AND CHAGAI HAYONAH
by Yaffa Ganz
DAYS OF JOY
INSIGHTS OF THE SFAS EMES by Rabbi Yosef Stern
CHANUKAH
in the ArtScroll® Holiday Series
Available at your local Hebrew bookseller or at www.artscroll.com • 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724)
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