blogs/brentspodek

One of the most important rabbis in the world passed away earlier this week. 

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz was, without any exaggeration, a transformative figure in Jewish history. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin described him as a “modern-day Rashi” for his work in translating the 5422 pages of the Babylonian Talmud from ancient Aramaic to modern Hebrew. From there, publishers translated his work into English, French, Russian and Spanish. Thousands of people - myself included - have been able to access the Talmud because of his work.

The Babylonian Talmud is the foundation of Judaism as we know it. It is the core of any yeshiva education, and I am far from the only rabbi who learned Talmud, also known as Gemara, with Rabbi Steinsaltz at my side. The version of the Talmud in my office, which has been the basis for nearly every class I’ve taught or sermon I have given, is the version with Rabbi Steinsaltz’s commentary. 

Amazingly, while translating the Babylonian Talmud would have been a life’s accomplishment for most people, he also translated the less central Jerusalem Talmud and also wrote more than 60 books on philosophy, mysticism, theology and even zoology. 

I always felt particularly connected to Rabbi Steinsaltz because like me, he was raised in a secular household and came to a serious study of Judaism only later in life. When I struggled in my study of Talmud, I always took comfort in knowing that my guide and teacher started from the same place I did, and he could master and explain the entire Talmud, then I with my limited gifts could probably understand whatever daf, or page, I was slogging through. 

If you are not familiar with Rabbi Steinsaltz’s work, two great and accessible places to start is The Essential Talmud or  The 13 Petalled Rose, his study of Kabbalah. 

You can also learn more about Rabbi Steinsaltz from his obituaries in Haaretz, The Times of Israel, and the New York Times.

May the memory of the righteous be a blessing for us all.