אות - רכג

A number of people were once praising Rashi’s commentaries in the Rebbe’s presence. The gist of the conversation was that for a straightforward commentary on the Bible one need use only Rashi’s commentary as many of the others follow the philosophers ( Tzaddik #410) . [Some biblical commentaries occasionally abandon the traditional Talmudic and Midrashic interpretation in favor of one agreeing with philosophical teachings. These should be avoided. The only necessary commentary is that of Rashi .]

The Rebbe then remarked, “You may not realize it, but Rashi is like the Torah’s brother. 329 Cf. Proverbs 7:4; Shabbat 145b; Sanhedrin 7b. Every Jew, from childhood on, studies both the Written and Oral Torah with Rashi’s commentary. Think of this and you will understand Rashi’s unique greatness.”