Bochur Publishes Groundbreaking Sefer on Rashi’s Family

In an unprecedented milestone for the Oholei Torah Beis Medrash, HaTomim Ephraim Lewis of Shiur Daled Zal has released a Sefer “Mishpichosam LiBeis Avosam,” which showcases extensive research on Rashi’s extended family.

“When I was growing up, I developed an interest in knowing about Seforim and their authors,” Ephraim said. “In Seforim stores I always was busy, and eventually, I ended up gaining a lot of knowledge about Seforim. Even in 6th grade, whenever my Rebbi would mention a name of a Meforash, he would ask me to tell the class about who he was.”

In Mesivta, Ephraim developed a strong interest in the history of Rishonim.

“One day, I was asked how the R”I (Rabbeinu Yitzchok) was related to Rashi. I didn’t know, but it got me started in researching, and I found that the R”I was a great-grandson of Rashi (his mother was a sister of Rabeinu Tam. As for her identity, interestingly, there is a machlokes what her name was which I referenced in the Sefer).”

For the next year, Ephraim did research on Rashi’s family, and added anyone who he was able to prove was related. This “family tree” eventually grew to almost three-hundred people on it, and, when he was a student in Shiur Alef, he printed a booklet entitled “Mishpichos Rabboseinu Horishonim,” a small booklet of 60 pages.

“That booklet was written very tersely and was very hard to follow,” Ephraim admits. “I eventually rewrote the entire project, until the family tree reached an extended family tree of over five hundred people,” he says. “I collaborated with an editor and a graphic designer, and the Sefer was born.”

The Sefer does not include historical events, since there are many Seforim like that already, he explains. Rather, it serves as an encyclopedia of Rashi’s family and anyone related.

“The Rebbe encouraged people many times to use their talents for Kedusha,” Rabbi Elchonon Lesches, the Menahel of the Beis Medrash said. “Seeing Ephraim dedicate his interest in history to put together such a Sefer has made a very strong impression; it shows a clear example of the success one can achieve through hard work and learning.”

Rabbi Nisson Deitsch, the Menahel of Beis Medrash Shiur Aleph and Beis, shared that Ephraim is an example to all other Talmidim that everyone has their ‘Chelek Batorah.’

“If you are ready to work hard, you will find your Chelek Batorah and you will be Matzliach,” he says. “It was an honor to have Ephraim as a talmid in our yeshiva.”