By COLlive reporter
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion inaugurated a new pathway named after Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz OBM, one of the most prolific scholars and commentators on Jewish teachings of the last century.
The new street, Shvil Harav Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, is located by Gan Hapaamon on Jabotinsky Street in the Talbiya neighborhood of Jerusalem, opposite the Inbal Hotel. It stands as a tribute to Rabbi Even-Israel’s enduring legacy in Torah scholarship and education.
The dedication ceremony on Wednesday was attended by City Council and community members, his wife, Mrs. Chaya Sarah Even-Israel (nee Azimov), and sons, Rabbi Menachem Even-Israel and Rabbi Amechayen Even-Israel, who now lead the Steinsaltz Center.
Rabbi Even-Israel, born in Jerusalem in 1937 (5697), became a prominent Torah scholar and educator at a young age, serving as a school principal by age 23. In the 1960s, he founded the Institute for Talmudic Publications, through which he published his groundbreaking commentary on the Gemara. His work, guided personally by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, revolutionized access to Gemara study by making it more understandable and accessible to a broader audience.
Beyond his scholarly achievements, Rabbi Even-Israel established educational institutions in Jerusalem, Moscow, and Gush Etzion. His contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Israel Prize for Jewish Studies, the President’s Medal of Distinction, and recognition as a “Worthy Citizen of Jerusalem.”
In his introduction to his commentary on Tanya, Rabbi Steinsaltz explained the central role of the “beinoni”—the average person who strives daily to serve Hashem—as a symbol of attainable spiritual greatness. His life’s mission was to make Jewish knowledge accessible to all, helping countless individuals connect more deeply with their heritage.
“It is with great respect and excitement that we inaugurate today in Jerusalem a special path named after Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, of blessed memory,” said Mayor Lion. “A native of this city, Rabbi Steinsaltz was a visionary who, with immense talent and dedication, opened a window to the world of Talmud and Judaism for so many. Through his innovative and accessible commentaries, he brought countless hearts closer to Torah and Jewish heritage. This tribute in Jerusalem honors a dear individual whose profound contributions to Jewish knowledge and spirituality continue to flourish.”
Rabbi Steinsaltz’s legacy continues today through the Steinsaltz Center in Jerusalem, which furthers his educational and publishing activities.
