By COLlive reporter
A second book about the Rebbe is being published in the months leading up to the 20th yartzeit anniversary of Gimmel Tammuz – this one from a more personal perspective.
“My Rebbe” was written by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, one of the most respected rabbis and Jewish thinkers today who is most known for his revolutionary commentary on Talmud Bavli.
The 250 page book is being published by Maggid Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers in Jerusalem, which publishes Rabbi Even-Israel’s acclaimed books in Hebrew, English, Russian, and French.
The publication date is May 1, 2014, a month before HarperWave releases “Rebbe – The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History” by bestselling author Rabbi Joseph Telushkin.
While Telushkin offers an outsider viewpoint, Rabbi Even-Israel’s book is a more personal one, being a Lubavitcher chossid himself, commentator on Tanya and chassidus and Rav of Chabad’s historic Tzemach Tzedek Synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Koren Publishers described the book as “part biography, part memoir, part manual for great leadership” and said it “will motivate readers to contemplate their own mission in the world and aspire toward meaningful living.”
“With the admiration of a close disciple, the astute observation of a scholar and the spiritual depth of a mystic, Steinsaltz crafts an intimate portrait of a revolutionary religious leader whose dedication to intellectual, religious, and spiritual principles impacted generations of followers,” Koren said.
In recent lectures about the Rebbe in Washington, DC, Montreal and Philadelphia, Rabbi Even-Israel referenced the book he was writing about the Rebbe, about whom he spoke with particular reverence and passion, calling his greatness “unparalleled.”
In the biography-memoir, the legendary Talmudic scholar and prolific author “shares his firsthand account of this extraordinary individual who shaped the landscape of twentieth-century religious life,” Koren said.
The hardcover will be sold in the U.S. for $24.95. Pre-orders for $18.72 are being offered on Amazon.com.
VIDEO: Rabbi Even-Yisroel speaks at Chabad of Westmount in Montreal about the Rebbe and the book he was completing in 2012
If Telushkins book is accurate,it’s is perhaps a bigger zchus than Steinsaltz..Its not difficult for a committed Chabadnik to write about the Rebbe..
Will be interesting to see how they will both compare to the supreme masterpiece Toward a Meaningful Life by chozer and maniach Rabbi Simon Jacobson
The book cover suggests that it will be written in English. Is that the case?
How did you read Telushkin’s book its not out yet, they are still only available for pre-order?
you are correct. nobody is putting down telushkin
but it is not b’kavodik to call Steinzalt’s book “second” book.
Additionally you point out correctly that one is a true chossid while the other is an admirer.
You can’t compare both books. Rabbi Steinsaltz stands alone, in his supreme category, on all level: alone in his genius, alone in his chassidishkeit and unique kesher with the Rebbe, alone in his sensitivity, alone in his penetrating perception of every detail – from the smallest to the greatest. If collive can’t make this point, history will.
I am looking forward to reading both books. I am sure the will both offer unique and
different perspectives.
Was going to say something similar. Dear collive editors, please put a little more consideration on the text of this article and rephrase accordingly.
I read telushkins book and he has done a very nice job. He used JEM interviews plus many other good sources to compile his book. I believe it will be very accepted, I found it to be on par with rebbes army in some ways, which was a very nice book to.
I attended that fantastic lecture at Chabad of Westmount. Really an honor and a privilege!
WIth all due respect, how can you compare a book written by Telushkin to a book by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz-Even Israel? There is absolutely no comparison. The former, Telushkin is a conservadox Admirer of the Rebb and the latter, Steinsaltz is a chassid, a teacher of chassidus and a world renowned brilliant Torah scholar.
This book has been years and years in writing. To call it ” a second book” is inaccurate and disrespectful.
Thanks