Rabbi Adin Even Israel Turns 79

By COLlive reporter

The renowned Talmud commentator and scholar Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz) marked his 79th birthday at a Chassidic farbrengen with students of one of his institutions.

The event on Sunday included Torah insights and melodies as the “once-in-a-millennium scholar,” as he was once hailed by Time magazine, spoke about the essence of the day.

“It seems that a birthday is the time for introspection,” he said. “In the Bible, the only birthday mentioned is one for Pharaoh. What does Pharaoh do? He brings up memories. This person he sent to prison. This person he beheaded. Pharaoh considers his options. One he brings back to work, the other he hangs.

“It’s a time of summarizing. A time to survey what’s happened in the past, and to analyze things as they are now. Pharaoh’s advantage was that he could hand out positions and hangings just like that. If I could do that, I’d feel better,” joked the Rabbi.

Congregants at the historic Tzemach Tzedek Shul in the Old City of Jerusalem are expected to extend their birthday wishes to Rabbi Even-Israel who serves as a rabbi and Mashpia there.

Born in Jerusalem in 1937 to secular parents, Rabbi Steinsaltz studied physics and chemistry at the Hebrew University. He established several experimental schools and, at the age of 24, became Israel’s youngest school principal.

In 1965 he began his monumental Hebrew translation and commentary on the Talmud. He completed the 46 volumes in the series in November, 2010. His commentary is now being published in English by Koren Publications.

The Rabbi’s classic work of Kabbalah, The Thirteen Petalled Rose, was first published in 1980 and now appears in eight languages. In all, Rabbi Steinsaltz has authored some 60 books and hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from zoology to theology to social commentary.

Continuing his work as a teacher and spiritual mentor, Rabbi Steinsaltz established a network of schools and educational institutions in Israel and the former Soviet Union.