(b.Troyes, France 1040; d. Troyes, France 1105 [29 Tammuz 4865]). Commentary to the Pentateuch.

Predates The First Published Rashi Edition By Approximately 18 Years. Contains the complete commentary of Rashi on the Pentateuch with many important marginal annotations by several different hands. Known as "parshandata" (commentator par excellance), the words of Rashi's matchless commentary encompassing both literal and Midrashic elements are studied at all levels of scholarship. This manuscript remained in private hands and until recently was unknown to scholars. This important, complete Rashi manuscript was apparently unknown to both to Professor Abraham Berliner and to the assidious researcher and cataloguer of Rashi manuscripts, D.S. Blondheim. It is not cited in his monumental Liste des Manuscripts des Commentaires Bibliques de Raschi (Paris 1932), originally published in Revue des Etudes Juives (1931). Textual Variants: This manuscript abounds in many interesting and obviously correct readings and textual variants. In many instances the text is more complete and contains important material missing in the standard published editions. EXAMPLES: I: Genesis, Vayeitzei, Chapter 30, verse 21-22 (p.43v in manuscript). Regarding the words of the Rabbis concerning the birth of Dinah, Leah was said to say to herself, should this baby also be a male, then my sister Rachel will not even have the maternal status of the maidservants. Leah thus righteously prayed and the foutus was changed to a female. This manuscript bolsters this reflection with a citation from the Piyut: Chiluf Dinah Ke-Yehosef - which is entirely lacking in the standard published editions and other early Rashi manuscripts. This addition is clearly correct as the same citation follows in the next verse. Rashi cites a similar Piyut bolstering the contention that Esau wished to marry Rachel upon learning she had borne no children. The standard published editions, (including the critical edition by A. Berliner, Frankfurt, 1905 - who states that he examined hundreds of manuscripts - and the recently published Mikraot Gedolot "Haketer", Bar Ilan University, Jerusalem 1997, edited by M. Cohen based upon scores of manuscripts) all contain only the second Piyut citation. II. Genesis, Noach, Chapter 7, verse 23 (p.12r in manuscript)."Vayishar ach Noach"- only Noah was left… Rashi cites a Midrash that among his duties in within the Ark Noah was late in feeding the lion - whereupon the lion attacked Noah. Presumably Noah would have been able to resume his duties even after the lion-bite, but Rashi states because of the wound, Noah was "barely left." and grew to become quite incapacitated. This manuscript adds the following: Noah ultimately became entirely disabled and Noah’s son Shem was forced to take over the father’s duties. This addition is entirely uncited in the above mentioned critical editions; nor in the earliest known dated Rashi manuscript (Munich no.5, dated 1233); nor the 13th-century Weimer manuscript, or Vienna Ms. no. 24 (which lacks the Midrash entirely). It should be noted that Rabbi M. Kasher in his Torah Shlaimah cites a variant Midrash which states that upon departing the Ark, the responsibility of offering a sacrifice to God was remarkably defered from Noah to Shem since Noah’s knew his disability debarred him from offering such a sacrifice. III. Exodus, Mishpatim, Chapter 23, verse 19. The published version of Rashi states "Af Hashevi’ith Chayeveth Be-bikurim." All the supra-commentators have lengthy expositions upon this comment for it’s apparant contradiction with halacha- (see Ohr Hachaim, Siftei Chachamim for an explanation of the problem). This manuscript omits the problematic passage (p.120 r) - but was subsequently added by a later owner in the form of a marginal note, apparently found in another manuscript. IV: The censor of the manuscript erased certain words that appeared to be uncomplimentary to Gentiles. In some cases these passages were eliminated entirely from the published editions, yet the original version (albeit with a partial erasure by the censor) is still extant in this manuscript. Exodus, Mishpotim, Chapter 22, verse 30 (p.118v) states that "treifa" meat be given to dogs. The published version simply states that dogs deserve this reward for remaining silent and not barking during the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. This manuscript however contains additional material stating animals that died naturally were sold to Gentiles, while animals that became "treif" because of an attack by a wolf went to the dogs. The two statements seem to categorize both Gentiles and dogs alike, thus prompting censhorship. Marginal Notes: Marginal notes appear in a few hands and contain not only textual emendation and additions based upon other manuscripts but also lengthy notes discussing Rashi's meaning together with additional material (For an example see page 43v). The marginal notes also cite other scholars (See note on bottom of p.4r citing Maimonides; p. 140v citing R. Yoseph bar Shimshon). Additional Material: The final leaf contains an explanation of Kedusha (reciting the words "kadosh" three times) based upon a Targum Yonathan b. Uziel. * The end of Sefer Shemoth repeats Rashi's commentary regarding the Choshen Ve'aifod, beginning with the words "Amar Rsh" (R. Shlomo) - and closing with the statement that the description is hereby repeated "Lemaan Yarutz Ha Koreh Bo" - so that the reader can grasp it fully. This manuscript was in the collection of Asher Myers (chairman of the Jews’ College Library, d. 1902. The manuscript quite clearly escaped the attention of scholarship. Although Blondheim had access to Hirschfeld's published catalogue of the Hebrew Manuscripts of the Montefiore Library (1904) which was dedicated to Asher Myers, he did not have access to Hirschfeld's unpublished listing of the other manuscripts of Jews’ College (including the Myers Collection). Thus until now, Rashi scholars will have been unaware of the importance of this manuscript. Provenance: 1. Moshe b. Yaakov. 2. Menachem b. Yitzchak Asculi. 3. Vidal Moses b. Harofe Joseph b. Porat. (Sold at the fair in Recanati on October 8, 1851. This individual also purchased MS Moscow, Guenzburg 132, that same year) 4. Asher Myers, (Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, and Chairman of Jews’ College Library) 5. Jews College Library.