Medieval Ashkenazi refers to the Jewish communities that developed in Central and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly from the 10th to the 15th centuries. The term "Ashkenazi" originates from the Hebrew word for Germany, as many of these communities were initially established in regions like Germany and later spread to areas such as Poland and Lithuania. These communities contributed significantly to Jewish culture, religious scholarship, and economic life. They produced notable figures, such as the Rashi, a prominent medieval commentator on the Talmud and Torah. The Ashkenazi Jews also developed a distinct language, Yiddish, which combined elements of German and Hebrew.