A Spark Of
Brilliance
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
will share his wisdom
at Shaarey Zedek.
JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER
n Orthodox Jew speaking
on the theme of Jewish uni-
ty?
If anyone can do it, Rab-
bi Adin Steinsaltz can, said Rab-
bi Chaim Bergstein of Bais
Chabad of Farmington Hills.
"My take on him is that he's
willing to discuss matters openly
that other people are not willing
to discuss, and sometimes he
comes to conclusions that run con-
trary to what people consider the
true standard of belief," he said.
Rabbi Steinsaltz, who has
translated over 50 volumes of Tal-
mud into Hebrew, Russian,
French and Spanish and authored
over a dozen analytical works on
the ideas contained in the Torah,
Talmud and Kabbalah, will speak
on the topic "Truths & Myths of
Jewish Unity" at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek next Wednesday
A
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: A superb teacher.
evening. Admission is free.
The visit is a kind of homage to
Morris and Beverly Baker, whose
foundation underwrote the publi-
cation of the Steinsaltz Edition
Talmud — Volume XI, Tractate
Ketubot, Part V.
Mrs. Baker decided to cele-
brate the rabbi's achievement
publicly.
"[Rabbi Steinsaltz's publicist]
said when these are published,
families like to celebrate with din-
ners or cocktail parties. I said,
`Well, neither of family, and in his 20s became an
those interest me. observant Jew.
After the death of the alter
I'd like the rabbi
to speak and rebbe, Menachem Schneerson,
have it open to there was talk that Rabbi Stein-
saltz would be the next spiritu-
the public.'
"It is a great al leader of Chabad. Those were
honor to have just rumors, said Rabbi Herschel
someone of his Finman, a Lubavitcher.
He called Rabbi Steinsaltz
stature come to
our community," "just another Chasid," but ac-
Mrs. Baker said. knowledged him as a genius.
The event is Likewise, Rabbi Bergstein said
co-sponsored by while Rabbi Steinsaltz is a gifted
the Midrasha scholar, he is not considered an
Center for Adult authority on Chasidism nor a
Jewish Studies of spiritual leader.
His true gift is his ability to
the Agency for
Jewish Educa- translate the most esoteric ideas
tion and Congre- in the Torah in terms the aver-
gation Shaarey age person can understand, Rab-
bi Bergstein said.
Zedek.
"His significance is primarily
Rabbi Stein-
saltz, whose age not in Chasidic Judaism but in
is somewhere be- his ability to give the entire Jew-
tween 50 and 60, began his work ish population access to classic
on the Talmud in the 1970s and Jewish works ... His greatness is
produces three or four volumes a that he is a superb teacher," the
year, along with other books that rabbi said.
As a person, Rabbi Steinsaltz
include The Thirteen-Petalled Rose
and The Long Shorter Way. His is "always smiling, he's always
work is infused with both an ob- happy. Why? It's so clear to him.
vious love and a deep under- He doesn't have to argue with
you."
standing of his subject.
Rabbi Bergstein recalled Rab-
Mrs. Baker called him an
"auto-didact," explaining that he bi Steinsaltz's sage and prag-
did not come through the ranks matic advice to him about a
of the Lubavitcher movement. He politically hot issue in Israel. Es-
was raised in a secular Israeli sentially, he told him to worry
. :
SPERBER'
E m
about the things he can change
rather than the troubles a world
away.
"In a few words he disarmed
my rancor," Rabbi BerEstein said.
But his directness also has
earned him scorn. Rabbi Stein-
saltz has been accused of heresy
because of his intellectual hon-
esty and his unorthodox ap-
proach to the study of Torah.
For example, he'll use artifacts
uncovered in archeological digs
to explain a talmudic point — an
approach frowned upon by those
who are more "dogmatic" in their
beliefs, Rabbi Bergstein said.
As for his upcoming talk on
Jewish unity, the approach will
probably be to focus on the prac-
tice of Judaism as a unifying
thread for all Jews.
"I believe he will focus on the
study of Talmud as the basis of
unity. Jews are unified beyond
common history and language:
we are unified internally, are ba-
sically one essence.
"It pains me to see conflict. It
pains me to see how we have
such deep divisions. It has de-
generated into 'us against them,'
and I think that's what's very sad.
If there is a person who's capable
of addressing the issue honestly,
it is Rabbi Steinsaltz. He is ca-
pable of bringing the discussion
to the realm of congenial discus-
sion." El
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