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| Nachmanides' commentary on the Torah |
Introduction
This article, based extensively on the research by Professor
Shalem Yahalom,[1]
discusses the differences in interpretative style between Nachmanides (or Ramban,
1194-1270) and Rashi (1040-1105). Rashi was prepared to cite Midrashim
and use them verbatim because he considered Tradition as sufficient proof of
authenticity. Nachmanides, however, disputed such a claim and instead went out
of his way, sometimes quite creatively, to show textual proof or bring
arguments as a means of establishing authority. In his Torah commentary,
Nachmanides does not merely repeat earlier exegetical (interpretative)
traditions, as Rashi does with his reliance on Midrash, but rather:
“asserts the importance of analyzing all information critically” (Yahalom 2020:207).
Nachmanides begins his Torah commentary full of praise and
respect for Rashi:
“In his words will I meditate, and in their love will I ravish…”
