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.

This expanded version of the classic text on Jewish theology--by the scholar Newsweek called "a genius of the highest order"--demonstrates the contemporary relevance of this proud legacy of the Jewish people The Essential Talmud is a masterful introduction to the beliefs, attitudes, and methods of the sacred text by which the Jewish people have lived and survived through the ages-by the renowned Israeli rabbi, scholar, and teacher. Rabbi Steinsaltz is the first to capture the flavor and spirit of the Talmud as a human document and to summarize its main principles as an expression of divine law. This expanded edition features a new preface by the rabbi, a historical overview of life in the times of the Talmud, and an in-depth look at the content and appearance of the original Talmudic page. This seminal volume makes abundantly clear the importance of the Talmud in the lives of modern Jews. "This book is indispensable to those, Jews and Christians alike, who would like to gain an insight into what it is that moves the contemporary Jew." (Rabbi Solomon S. Bernards, B'Nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League)