Adin Steinsaltz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz
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| עדין אבן-ישראל שטיינזלץ | |
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Steinsaltz in 2010
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| Born |
Adin Steinsaltz
11 July 1937 |
| Died | 7 August 2020 (aged 83) Jerusalem, Israel
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| Resting place | Har HaZeitim |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Alma mater | Hebrew University of Jerusalem |
| Occupation | Rabbi, author |
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Notable work
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The Talmud: The Steinsaltz Edition |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah |
| Children | Menachem, Amechaye, Esther Sheleg |
Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz (1937–2020) was a famous Israeli rabbi, teacher, and writer. He was known for making Jewish texts easier to understand.
His most famous work is the Steinsaltz edition of the Talmud. The Talmud is a very important book in Jewish law and tradition. He translated it from its original language into modern Hebrew. He also added helpful notes to make it easier for people to learn. This edition has been translated into English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Steinsaltz received many important awards. These include the Israel Prize for Jewish Studies in 1988. He also got the President's Medal in 2012. In 2017, he received the Yakir Yerushalayim prize.
He passed away in Jerusalem on August 7, 2020. His death was due to pneumonia.
Contents
Life and Work
Early Life and Education
Adin Steinsaltz was born in Jerusalem on July 11, 1937. His parents were Avraham and Leah Steinsaltz. His father was a student of a famous Jewish thinker, Hillel Zeitlin. His parents moved to what is now Israel in 1924. His father was part of a group working for Israel's independence.
As a teenager, Adin became more interested in his Jewish faith. He studied with Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Heilprin. He also studied math, physics, and chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At the same time, he continued his rabbinical studies.
After finishing his studies, he started several special schools. At just 24 years old, he became Israel's youngest school principal.
Making the Talmud Accessible
In 1965, he created the Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications. This was the start of his huge project: translating the Talmud. He translated it from its original Aramaic into Hebrew, English, Russian, and other languages. His editions include a full explanation to help people understand.
He finished his Hebrew translation of the entire Babylonian Talmud in 2010. His Talmud editions are used by many people around the world.
Other Writings and Teachings
Steinsaltz wrote many books on Jewish topics. His book on Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), The Thirteen Petalled Rose, was first published in 1980. It is now available in eight languages.
In total, he wrote about 60 books and hundreds of articles. These covered subjects like the Talmud, Jewish philosophy, and history. He also wrote a book about the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
He was also a respected teacher. In 1972, he joined the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. He also helped start Yeshivat Mekor Chaim and Yeshivat Tekoa. He served as the head of the Shefa Middle and High Schools.
Work in the Soviet Union
Steinsaltz was a follower of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He helped Jews in the Soviet Union. In 1995, he was given the title of Duchovny Ravin (Spiritual Rabbi) for Russian Jewry. This meant he was a spiritual guide for Jews in Russia.
He traveled to Russia every month from Jerusalem. He founded the Jewish University in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. This was the first university in the former Soviet Union to offer degrees in Jewish studies.
In 1991, he changed his family name from Steinsaltz to Even-Israel. This was based on advice from Rabbi Schneerson.
Later Life
Steinsaltz lived in Jerusalem with his wife, Sarah. They had three children and many grandchildren. In 2016, he had a stroke, which made it hard for him to speak. His son, Rabbi Menachem Even-Israel, now leads the Steinsaltz Center in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Steinsaltz passed away on August 7, 2020, in Jerusalem. He was 83 years old.
As an Author
Steinsaltz was a very productive writer and commentator. He wrote many books about Jewish knowledge, traditions, and culture. He also created original commentaries on important Jewish texts. These include the Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings), the Babylonian Talmud, the Mishna, the Mishneh Torah, and Tanya.
Some of his published works include:
- Biblical Images (1984)
- The Candle of God (1998)
- The Essential Talmud (1976)
- A Guide to Jewish Prayer (2000)
- In the Beginning (1992)
- My Rebbe (2014)
- The Tales of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1993)
- The Miracle of the Seventh Day (2003)
- Simple Words (1999)
- The Thirteen Petalled Rose (1980)
- We Jews (2005)
As a Speaker
Before his stroke, Rabbi Steinsaltz often gave evening talks in Jerusalem. These talks were very popular and sometimes lasted until 2:00 in the morning. Important people, like former Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, would attend these talks.
See Also
In Spanish: Adin Steinsaltz para niños
