President Herzog Celebrates Complete French Gemara Translation
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted a reception in his official residence in Jerusalem to mark the completion of the first full French translation and elucidation of the Talmud by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz).
by COLlive Editor · COLliveAn event held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, attended by President of Israel Isaac Herzog, celebrated the completion and publication of the first full French translation and elucidation of the Talmud based on the work of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz).
The French edition, translated and elucidated according to the groundbreaking commentary of Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, was made possible through the support of the Patrick and Lena Drahi Foundation.
The ceremony took place on the 9th of Tammuz, marking 782 years since the burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1244, when thousands of volumes of Jewish manuscripts were publicly destroyed. The completion of the French Talmud on this historic date underscored the enduring resilience of Jewish learning and the triumph of scholarship over persecution.
President Herzog emphasized the significance of making the Talmud accessible to new audiences, saying: “The publication of the Talmud in French opens the door to bringing the Talmud to so many people, both within the Jewish world and to the world at large.”
Patrick Drahi reflected on the values embodied in the Talmudic tradition, stating: “Disagreement is an integral part of the Talmud, and within the Talmud it leads to mutual enrichment. I hope that the publication of this edition will also contribute to our ability to listen to the voice of the other.”
Rabbi Meni Even-Israel, CEO of the Steinsaltz Center, highlighted the historical significance of the occasion: “The publication of the Talmud in French and today’s event symbolize the continuity and eternity of the Torah of Israel and the people of Israel.”
The completion of the French Talmud represents a major milestone in Jewish scholarship and accessibility, making one of Judaism’s foundational texts available to the French-speaking world through the innovative approach developed by Rabbi Steinsaltz. The project serves as both a memorial to the destruction of Jewish learning in medieval France and a celebration of its renewal for future generations.
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