What did rashi do?

Rashi (1040-1105), a French Rabbi by the name of Shlomo Yitzchaki, is best known for his comprehensive commentary on the Talmud and commentary on the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), the Passover Haggadah, and the midrash Breisheet Rabbah. In particular, his commentary on the Torah and Talmud is still considered one the fundamental basics that Orthodox Jews must learn to understand the Written and Oral Torah.

Rashi also wrote responsa, composed several liturgical piyutim, was a major transmitter of Jewish tradition, and raised up grandsons and disciples who led the Jewish Torah-world in the ensuing generations.