Rabbi Steinsaltz launches new English translation of Torah
Steinsaltz recently returned to work following a stroke.
By JEREMY SHARONUpdated: JUNE 19, 2017 04:41RABBI ADIN STEINSALTZ(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
A new English translation of the Torah by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz and the Koren publishing house has recently been completed and is scheduled to hit books stores in September 2018.The translation of the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses, was conducted by a team of translators from the rabbi’s Shefa institutions who worked under Steinsaltz’s supervision, while the rabbi also edited and proofread the text.Steinsaltz’s commentary on the Torah which came out in Hebrew last year was also translated into English by the team.The new translation of the Chumash was launched last week at an event in New York put on by the Aleph Society, which supports Steinsaltz’s institutions and helps disseminate his work, which also marked the rabbi’s 80th birthday.His son Rabbi Menachem Even-Israel Steinsaltz, director of Steinsaltz’s Shefa institutions, said at the event: “In today’s era, information flows like water and at great speed, but despite this there is still ignorance and a lack of understanding of many concepts, and I hope that the life’s work of my father will serve as a springboard to bridge these gaps for the entire Jewish people.”Steinsaltz himself did not travel to the event since he is still recovering from a severe stroke he suffered in December 2016, although he has partially returned to work of late, and has begun authoring new articles.The rabbi is perhaps best known for his monumental translation and elucidation of the Talmud, but has also authored more than 60 books on Jewish thought, life and mysticism and is an Israel Prize laureate.