The Essential Talmud

Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz is a teacher, philosopher, social critic and prolific author who has been hailed by Time Magazine as a "once-in-a-millennium scholar." He has devoted his life to making the world of Jewish knowledge accessible to all, including the entirety of Jewish canon (Torah, Prophets, and Writings), the Babylonian Talmud, the Mishna, Mishneh Torah (Maimonides's Code of Jewish Law), and many others.

After a 45-year effort, Rabbi Steinsaltz completed a monumental elucidation of the entire Talmud in modern Hebrew, now used all over the world. Rabbi Steinsaltz then partnered with Koren Publishers Jerusalem to launch the Koren Talmud Bavli, a groundbreaking new edition of the Talmud that includes a modern English translation, color illustrations and previously-censored passages. He has also translated and provided commentary on the Torah in the long-awaited Steinsaltz Humash, which includes a treasure trove of information to make the text clear, fascinating, and relevant to users of all backgrounds.

Guided by his trailblazing educational philosophies, the Steinsaltz Center, a unique pedagogical accelerator bearing his name, develops tools and programs that provide future scholars and lay people alike with fluid explanations of core Jewish sources that set the stage for profound and creative engagement with the texts. The Center also houses the Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications, a research institute and a publishing house for the Rabbi's works.

Rabbi Steinsaltz has written more than 60 books and hundreds of articles, established the Makor Chaim network of schools in Israel and the former Soviet Union, and holds several honorary degrees, including the Israel Prize for Jewish Studies and Israel's first President's Prize. He was born and lives in Jerusalem.