Chabad Lubavitch mourns the passing Friday morning of Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinsaltz.
A towering figure of Jewish scholarship, Rabbi Steinsaltz pioneered the study of Talmud among the uninitiated. The Talmud: The Steinsaltz Edition—the rabbi’s groundbreaking translation from Aramaic into modern Hebrew and then into English—introduced the study of Talmud to the lay public. Through his commentaries, translations and his prolific works, he also brought classical Chasidic texts and teachings to a wide, contemporary audience.
Teacher and mentor at yeshivas in Israel and elsewhere, Rabbi Steinsaltz nurtured an enduring passion for Jewish study and a sustaining love for the Jewish People among his Jewish students.
Rabbi Steinsaltz was a deeply devoted Chasid of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. In his book My Rebbe, he wrote of the Chasid-Rebbe relationship as it shaped his life’s work, and of the Rebbe’s profound influence on him in matters personal and professional.
Upon the passing of Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai—the founder of the Academy of Yavneh and the spiritual leader of Jewry as it emerged after the destruction of the second Temple—the Mishna says, “the splendor of wisdom ceased.” The sentiment now resonates with Rabbi Steinsaltz’s students, mentees and admirers.
An interview with Rabbi Steinsaltz: https://www.lubavitch.com/interview-rabbi-adin-steinsaltz-on-the-lubavitcher-rebbe/
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Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld
This is one of the saddest days for me. What impressed me so much about this great tzadik, was not the just his amazing intellect, and the abundant love and kindness that he shared, but the modesty in which he carried himself. May his memory be a blessing for eternity.
Rodney Falk
I purchased my first copy of Rav Steinsaltz’s Gemara in 1968 in Israel, the year of, or year after its initial publication. Today I relearned the first Mishna with his commentary from that same volume and my eyes filled with tears. The knowledge of his existence in this world, and the thoughts expressed in his numerous works always helped sustain my Yiddishkeit, and his passing was a deep blow to me. What an outstanding and humble scholar, with a twinkling eye and a profound mind.
May his memory be a blessing, and may his works flourish
Jacob Fisher
He was an amazing man. There are almost no other people like him in the world! …
I have had the privilege of hearing him several times and even studying his fascinating books. It was a great experience.
Too bad he’s not with us anymore … sad. painful. It is unbelievable that it happened !.
Now, our mission is to keep his books and essays, to distribute everything he has taught. Come on, let’s get started …
Curtis Joseph
It’s as if my mentor us still here in all of us
Shoshana Grossbard
a great loss for the Jewish world