Adin Steinsaltz
We will do things with an eye toward future generations, not with a stopwatch and an annual calendar. The Jewish calendar is a calendar of thousands of years. A lot of patience and a lot of work are needed. I'd be happy if in another few years these chairs are filled by scholars who are greater than us and we can say: ‘I kept the chairs warm for you.’
Brief audio excerpts from Steinsaltz’s interview for Jewish Sages of Today
Steinsaltz spent forty-five years creating a translation and commentary of the Talmud
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“What is the Talmud?”
Steinsaltz explains the Talmud’s significance and discusses why he felt it was critical to create a clear and accessible translation; this is the introduction to his book The Essential Talmud: An Introduction.
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An excerpt from Steinsaltz’s translation and commentary from the first tractate of the new English Steinsaltz edition, Masechet Ta'anit
Steinsaltz has authored more than sixty books, ranging from theology to social commentary to zoology to his translation and commentary on the Talmud. Below is a selected list; for a more complete list of works, click here
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Pebbles of Wisdom
(Jossey-Bass, 2009)
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The Essential Talmud: Thirtieth Anniversary Edition
(Basic Books, 2006)
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We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do
(Jossey-Bass, 2005)
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A Guide to Jewish Prayer
(Schocken, 2000)
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The Woman of Valor: Eshet Hayil
(Jason Aronson, 1994)
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In the Beginning: Discourses on Chasidic Thought
(Jason Aronson, 1992)
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The Thirteen Petalled Rose: A Discourse on the Essence of Jewish Existence and Belief
(Jason Aronson, 1992; reissued 2006)
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Biblical Images: Men and Women of the Book
(Harpercollins, 1986)
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A selection of sixteen articles by Steinsaltz on the website chabad.org
A selected list of institutions founded by Steinsaltz
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The Aleph Society
Founded in 1988, The Aleph Society supports and oversees Steinsaltz’s worldwide network of institutions, educational programs, and publishing projects.
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Hesder Yeshiva, Takoa
Steinsaltz serves as Rosh Yeshiva of this educational institution, founded in 1999, which combines service in the Israeli army and advanced Jewish study.
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Institute for Jewish Leadership Training in the CIS
Transmits Jewish identity and passion to a people who had been forced into assimilation and who may have otherwise never had the chance to explore their Judaism; founded in 1994.
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Free Jewish University in Moscow
Established in 1990, this is the first degree-granting institution of Jewish studies in the former Soviet Union.
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Mekor Haim Yeshiva High School
Dedicated to creating young leadership who can become role models, the school’s primary goal is, through education, to develop a “spiritual intelligence” in its students.
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The Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications
Founded in 1965 to make sacred texts like the Talmud accessible to students of all ages and Jewish backgrounds.
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Re-established Jewish Sanhedrin
Steinsaltz serves as Nasi of the Sanhedrin in this effort to reestablish a council of seventy-one Jewish sages as the Supreme Court and legislative body for the Jewish people as was present in Judea during the Roman period.
Steinsaltz serves on the re-established Jewish Sanhedrin
Videos, a blog, and more
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Videos of Steinsaltz
As found on YouTube
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Blog about Steinsaltz’s work
Daily teachings and more from Steinsaltz; produced by Arthur Kurzweil, author of On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz and Pebbles of Wisdom from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.
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Responses by Steinsaltz
Thought-provoking responses to questions posed to a panel of religious leaders as part of The Washington Post and Newsweek’s online collaboration “On Faith.”
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The Global Day of Jewish Learning
Conceived to mark the completion of Steinsaltz’s monumental translation on the Talmud, the inaugural 2010 Global Day, November 7, 2010, brought Jews around the world and across the spectrum of beliefs and backgrounds together in a day of study and unity. It is now an annual event.