Known as “Rashi”
Author: Rashi on Tenach and Talmud Bavli
29 Tammuz 4865 (1105)
What merit did the parents of Rashi have to give birth to such a child?
Rashi’s father was a dealer in precious stones, which was an unusual profession for a Jew at that time. He had in his possession a very large precious stone that was well-known in the community of Troyes. One day the church nobleman told him that they wanted to purchase the stone and put it in a crown or crucifix that would be used in the church services. He was offered a huge amount of money for the stone. But Rashi’s father wouldn’t agree. He was heavily pressured and even threatened to sell the stone.
So Rashi’s father decided to meet the nobleman on a boat and whilst showing him the diamond he sort of accidently lost balance and the stone fell into the water as if by mistake. Is is told over that this sacrifice was one of the merits that earned him a child like Rashi.
Godfrey of Boullion, was the leader of the French knights in the First Crusade. He stopped in Troyes on the way to Eretz Yisrael and asked Rashi if he would be successful. Rashi told him that initially he would capture Yerushalaim from the Muslims, but he would only hold on to it for less than a week. Then the Christians would be driven from Jerusalem and he would return to France with only two horses.
Godfrey was so angry, he told Rashi that if he came back with even three horses he would personally destroy the Jewish community and kill him. The Crusade went just as Rashi predicted. He captured Yerushalaim but less than a week later he lost it and many of his soldiers were killed. Godfrey remembered the prediction and made sure that, if nothing else, he returned with three horses. And indeed he did. However, as he crossed under the arch of the city the keystone of the arch collapsed and one of the horses was killed.
Godfrey realized that every word of the sage had been true and he came humbly to Rashi’s home to ask forgiveness. But when he arrived he was informed that Rashi had already passed away.
