The Lasting Influence of Rashi on Jewish Learning
Rabbi Shlomo ben Yitzchak, famously known as Rashi, was one of the greatest commentators on the Torah and Talmud. He lived in medieval France and served as a halachic authority, head of a yeshiva, and an esteemed paytan (liturgical poet).
Rashi’s commentary on the Tanach (Hebrew Bible) is considered the most foundational and essential of all biblical commentaries. While he primarily explains the peshat (straightforward meaning) of the text, he also incorporates insights from Midrashic teachings and focuses on grammatical nuances. The significance of his work is highlighted in the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 285), which rules that one may fulfill the obligation of reading “Shnayim Mikra Ve’Echad Targum” (the practice of reviewing the weekly Torah portion by reading the text twice and the translation once) using Rashi’s commentary instead of Targum Onkelos.
Similarly, Rashi’s commentary on the Talmud Bavli is considered the bedrock of Talmudic study. His explanations appear in every printed edition of the Talmud and form the basis for understanding complex Talmudic discussions. Virtually every major Talmudic commentator who lived after Rashi's time quoted and analyzed his insights. Although Rashi did not complete a commentary on all tractates, his grandson, the Rashbam, and his son-in-law, the Rivam, later completed those sections.
The Story Behind “Rashi Script”
Interestingly, Rashi script, the semi-cursive Hebrew font commonly used for Rashi's commentary, is not Rashi’s own handwriting, nor did he invent it. In fact, Rashi lived 375 years before the font was created and never used it himself.
The name “Rashi script” comes from the first Hebrew book ever printed with Rashi’s Torah commentary, published in Italy in 1475. The printer chose a unique, stylized typeface to visually differentiate the commentary from the Torah text, and this design became known as “Rashi script.”
This style has since become standard for printing commentaries in the margins or bottom sections of Jewish sacred texts. In most editions of the Chumash (Pentateuch), Talmud, Tur, and Shulchan Aruch, the primary text is printed in block letters, while commentaries, especially Rashi’s commentary, appear in Rashi script.
Rashi script is characterized by its rounded, flowing form, based on Sephardic Jewish handwriting that dates back to the Second Temple period. Though visually distinct, it remains a vital part of the traditional layout of Jewish texts, helping readers easily navigate between source texts and commentaries.
Rashi’s legacy lives on not only through his brilliant commentaries that continue to guide Torah and Talmud study, but also through a script that symbolizes his influence. Though he never saw the letters that now bear his name, Rashi’s wisdom and clarity remain etched into the very fabric of Jewish learning.
