Lost for Decades: Rare Rashbam Manuscript Found in Moscow

A remarkable discovery has excited both Torah scholars and historians: a rare manuscript containing the commentary of Rashbam, one of the great sages of the Rishonim period, has been identified in the Russian State Library in Moscow after being considered lost for decades.

The manuscript's rediscovery sheds new light on one of the most influential Torah commentators of the medieval era and brings back into view a valuable piece of Jewish intellectual and spiritual history.

Who Was Rashbam?

Rashbam, Rabbi Shmuel ben Meir, was the grandson of Rashi and one of the leading Tosafists of medieval France. Living during the height of the Rishonim period, he became renowned for his clear and straightforward approach to Torah commentary.

Unlike many commentators who focused heavily on Midrashic interpretations, Rashbam placed particular emphasis on the plain meaning of the text, carefully analyzing grammar, language, and context. In some instances, his explanations differed from those of his illustrious grandfather, Rashi, making his commentary especially valuable to students of Tanakh.

A Manuscript Thought Lost for Generations

The manuscript, known to scholars as "Manuscript No. 103" from the Jewish Theological Seminary in Breslau, played a crucial role in the publication of the first printed edition of Rashbam's commentary in 1881.

After that publication, however, the manuscript vanished.

For many decades, researchers had no knowledge of its whereabouts, and it was widely considered lost.

It now appears that in the aftermath of World War II, the manuscript found its way into Soviet territory and eventually became part of the archives of the Russian State Library.

Why Was It Overlooked?

According to researchers, the manuscript remained hidden in plain sight for years because it was mistakenly cataloged as a work by Rashi.

The error likely occurred because the manuscript's title page was missing and because the surviving text begins in the middle of the Book of Genesis, making identification more difficult.

As a result, one of the most important surviving manuscripts of Rashbam's commentary remained unnoticed for decades.

The Discovery in Moscow

The manuscript was recently identified by researcher Israel Dovitsky while examining materials from the famous Ginzburg Collection, which is housed in the Russian State Library.

The discovery has generated considerable excitement among scholars, who hope the manuscript will contribute to a deeper understanding of Rashbam's teachings and the transmission of Torah scholarship through the generations.

torah s"A Special Light in Our Generation"

Russia's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berel Lazar, reflected on the significance of the discovery:

"Precisely in an orphaned generation like ours, we suddenly see such lights being revealed, light that deepens our understanding of Torah and gives us the strength to live with the Torah, a Torah of life and a Torah of light that illuminates our lives.

"Israel is not forsaken. From Above, we are being given a special light to encourage us and strengthen us to continue spreading Torah everywhere and to every Jew."

For Torah scholars and history enthusiasts alike, the rediscovery of this long lost manuscript serves as a powerful reminder that even centuries later, treasures of Jewish learning continue to emerge, enriching our understanding of the Torah and the great sages who devoted their lives to its study.