Kayle (exegete)
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Kayle (Yiddish or Hebrew: קֵילְא, pronounced /keɪlə/) was a Biblical exegete who super-commentated on Rashi.
She lived in the late Middle Ages in Germany. Kayle is the only woman known to have composed a Hebrew super-commentary, and demonstrates "learning and intricacy" with a "deft reading of Rashi".[1]
Four of her comments survive in MS Zurich Heid. 26 (f. 22r, 28r, 41r), copied in Ljubljana in 1515 and containing a collection of super-commentaries on Rashi.[2]
- Gen. 28:10, And Jacob left Beersheba. Rashi explains that Jacob left because Isaac had hated the women of Canaan, but "Kayle answered, it was because Rebecca had said, 'I hate my life . . . if Jacob takes one of these women, why should I live?' and because Esau had left for Ishmael (Gen. 28:9)".
- Gen. 28:15, What I said to you. Rashi explains that this means "what I said concerning you" but "Kayle answered, if so, it would have been in the present tense".
- Gen. 33:10, And you have shown me favor. Rashi explains that Esau had "appeased" Jacob. Kayle says that Rashi did not mean to imply that Esau had done anything wrong.
- Gen 45:24, Do not argue on the way. Rashi gave "Another explanation: do not take long steps, and enter the city by day" but "Kayle answered: do not take long steps because they say (Taanit 10b,[3] Berakhot 43b[4]) that long steps weaken the eyesight".