Rashi was born and lived most of his life in the capital of the county of Champagne, Troyes, a major commercial center on the main trade route between Italy and the North Sea. Twice a year trade fairs were held in Troyes (which is close to the Rhineland), fairs that attracted merchants from all over the Holy Roman Empire and from England and Italy as well. The Jews of Troyes were primarily merchants, and many owned land. At this time, they were protected by the counts of Champagne, and there was little persecution by their Christian neighbors. Rashi was a vintner (a rabbi was an unpaid position), and he used his knowledge about worldly affairs in his commentaries. He was familiar with different standards of currency, banking, and commerce; he knew about agriculture and animal husbandry; he was also conversant with such trades as soldering, engraving, weaving, embroidery, and even laundering.
Little is known about Rashi's father Isaac. There is one reference to him that indicates he was a martyr; however, there is no mention of how he was martyred, and it seems unlikely that Rashi would have written so little about him had he died a martyr.
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