Sapirstein Edition: Rashi, by Rabbi Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg

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Sapirstein Edition of Rashi
by Rabbi Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg
In collaboration with Rabbi Yaakov Petroff, Rabbi Yoseph Kamenetsky, and Rabbi Yaakov Blinder
Contributing Editor: Rabbi Avie Gold The Artscroll Series Published by Mesorah Publications, New York: 2007
A Project of the Mesorah Heritage Foundation
ISBN 10: 1-5781-9114-9
ISBN 13: 978-1-5781-9114-7

Reviewed by Boris Segel - February 19, 2009

Rabbi Shlomoh ben Yitzchak is perhaps best known as Rashi, and as the premier commentary on the Chumash (Torah). The Sapirstein Edition of Rashi is a five-volume set that contains the complete text of the Chumash in Hebrew along with an English translation that has been rendered according to Rashi. In addition, this set also includes the full text, in Hebrew, of Rashi's and Onkelos' commentaries on the Chumash. The Hebrew text of Rashi's commentaries appears in both Rashi Script (Ksav Rashi) and in vowelized standard Hebrew type. This vowelized text has been inserted, phrase by phrase, within the English elucidation of Rashi's commentaries, along with an English translation of Rashi's word. This translation is presented in bold face, allowing the reader to easily differentiate between the explanation of the Rashi text, and the translation of the text. Extensive footnotes further elucidate the text and provide additional commentaries, questions about the text (and answers), and sources for additional study.

The Sapirstein Edition of Rashi was written by the renowned Rashi scholar, Rabbi Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg, in collaboration with other renowned scholars such as Rabbi Yaakov Petroff, Rabbi Yoseph Kamenetsky, and Rabbi Yaakov Blinder. This set is divided into five volumes, with one volume devoted to each book of the Torah. The books, themselves, are beautiful to look at, with embossed covers with gold lettering. This set is available in full-sized, student, and personal-sized editions, and in each size, the volumes are available individually and in slipcased-sets. All editions feature reinforced bindings ensuring that these volumes will stand up to years of heavy use.

Most import, Sapirstein Edition of Rashi makes Rashi accessible to readers of all skill levels, including those who do not yet read Hebrew or Rashi script. In addition, this set not only provides an accurate rendering of the Rashi text, but also clearly and accurately explains Rashi's ideas and commentaries. Rashi's in-depth use of Hebrew grammar (dikduk) to explain and analyze the text of the Chumash is covered in-depth, as is his use of medieval French words (Rashi was born in Troyes, France in 1040 C.E.).

If you are new to the study of Rashi, or simply looking for new insights into his commentaries, the Sapirstein Edition of Rashi is a phenomenal resource and it is perfect for both home and school use. For those already familiar with the Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, you'll find that this set is presented in a similar manner. In addition, it includes the Haftaros in Hebrew and English translation, and a brief biography of Rashi can be found in the Bereishis (Genesis) volume.

Related Reviews:

Onkelos on the Torah: Genesis, by Israel Drazin and Stanely M. Wagner.
Understanding the Bible Text: The text of Sefer Bereishis in English and Hebrew, along with the text of Targum Onkelos and Rashi's commentaries, and extensive commentaries from a variety of ancient and modern sources.
The Rubin Edition of The Prophets, by Rabbi Nosson Scherman.
A three-volume matched set of the Early Prophets, with Commentary Anthologized from the Rabbinic Writings.

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