Rashbam: Keeping the Covenant (Vaetchanan)
Keeping is key in Deuteronomy 7:9. God “keeps the covenant” when the Israelites “keep the mitzvot.” Rashbam’s has a twist on what God’s keeping means.
Rashbam
Rashbam and Andrew of St. Victor (D’varim)
Rashbam. Andrew of St. Victor. Two medieval French scholars, devoted to the plain-sense contextual interpretation of the Bible. One Jewish, one Christian.
Rashbam: Priest and Prison (Matot-Masei)
Numbers 35 describes the cities of refuge. Accidental killers find safety there, but also a prison – they must remain there until the high priest dies.
Rashbam: Moses, Editor-in-Chief (Balak)
Moses, according to the Rashbam, does not only transcribe God’s word into Torah. He also acts as editor, at least in the case of Balaam’s blessings.
Rashbam: Why Water? (Chukat)
The Israelites move towards the Promised Land, traveling through other kingdoms. They promise not to take any water – confounding later French commentators.