Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

On Friday, we learned that Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz passed away in Israel. He was a true Gadol Ha'Dor, one of the great Sages of our generation. Decades ago, he initiated a new layout of the Talmud, consisting of a Hebrew translation of the original Aramaic and a synopsis of some of the writings of early commentators and legal codifiers. In recent years, many of his volumes have been translated into English.

For many Jews around the world, it was Rabbi Steinsaltz who introduced them to the world of Talmud study. Now, other Jewish text companies have followed his lead.

A devout traditional Jew, he loved all Jews. Back in the 1980's, while living in New York, I watched him teach before a large audience in a liberal progressive synagogue. Rabbi Steinsaltz interacted with all Jews. He built bridges and tore down walls. He was a living example of a true Torah scholar in the way he conducted himself in all ways.

Yhi Zichro Baruch - May his memory be a blessing.

Rabbi Howard Morrison