Hebrew Grammar (1524) - Page 8

He who studies and acquires Torah for himself

but has not studied the foundation of grammar, does not understand.

He is like a plowman who wants to drive oxen,

but his hands are without a goad and a staff.

Whose interpretation is this:

He who has studied and acquired the law for himself.

And has not studied the foundation of grammar, nor understands it.

Is like a plowman wishing to lead oxen.

And his hands are without a goad and a rod.

Nor have the long-winded commentaries of grammarians ever pleased me, even among the Latins, so far am I from approving of a superstitious annotation of precepts here. Above all, the ancients please me, each of whom—as he is older—is also briefer and clearer. Of this kind, Donatus and Diomedes exist among the Latins; among the Hebrews, Rabbi David Kimhi and his brother, Rabbi Mosche Kimhi of Spain. Their...