Only Edition
Chachmei Ashkenaz : Sefer Dikdukei Rashi on the Torah, Riva di Trento 1560
Contains fundamental explanations on the methods of grammar by the great Torah commentator, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi), in his commentary on the Torah.
There is great significance in understanding the roots of Rashi’s concise words in his commentary, as the Shelah HaKadosh writes: "In every single word of Rashi, there are wonderful hidden meanings, for he composed his work with divine inspiration."
This book is already cited by the Maharshal in his work Yeri’ot Shlomo; by Rabbi Shabbetai Sofer of Przemyśl the author of the Siddur, and others.
The author’s name is not mentioned in the title page, and the Chida writes in Shem HaGedolim that "its author is unknown." Subsequent evidence suggests that:
The work was likely written in the fifteenth century, by an Ashkenazic scholar who was greatly influenced by the teachings of the Ashkenazic sages. The author cites twice the words of Rabbi Yisrael of Bruna, one of the foremost later authorities in Ashkenaz.
Riva di Trento 1560-1561.
First Edition. 48 leaves. 19 cm, and is in good condition with some holes and pasting in the inner margins, as well as antique ownership marks.
Who is the Author?
Until now, there were speculations that the author was an Italian scholar of the 16th century. But now, based on our research , we can prove that this is an earlier work, likely from the 15th century, and probably by an Ashkenazic scholar.
In the past, there were various suggestions about the author’s identity, such as Rabbi Yosef Ottolenghi of Cremona, the printer Rabbi Ya’akov Marcaria, or even the grammarian Rabbi Elijah Bachur. However, we have found that the author cites twice the words of one of the foremost early authorities in Ashkenaz – Rabbi Yisrael of Bruna!
Since the author cites Rabbi Yisrael of Bruna in the first person
("Rabbi Yisrael of
Bruna told me"), it seems the author had a direct connection with him. In addition, the author cites passages from Ashkenazic liturgical poems and the work "Mesorah of Maharam" by Maharam of Rothenburg, indicating that he was an Ashkenazic scholar or at least heavily influenced by Ashkenazic Torah thought.
See the extensive discussion on the Otzar HaChochmah forum regarding this book, in the thread "A renewed investigation of Sefer Dikdukei Rashi."
