His fame rests not only on the content of his explanations but on their style which remains clear and concise throughout. His commentary has become the most comprehensive and popular in existence and provided the basis for most subsequent studies of the Torah, Talmud, and Jewish Law.

His commentary on Chumash, first printed in 1465, was the first dated Hebrew book, and appears in a special script now know as "Rashi script". His commentaries are considered the standard work without which it is impossible to understand the Talmud.