Rashbam's Commentary on Exodus: An Annotated Translation

In the twelfth century CE, Rabbi Samuel ben Meir (Rashbam), a pious and learned rabbi, wrote a biblical commentary that broke radically with the way that rabbis generally interpreted the Bible. His method emphasized the "plain" meaning of the text; it avoided the use of legends or far-fetched interpretations--even those that had been hallowed by tradition--and sought to explain the biblical text, rather than to edify. This book makes Rabbi Samuel's work on Exodus available to the English re...