Customer Reviews

On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz: 25 Years of Pre-Dawn Car Trips, Mind-Blowing Encounters, and Inspiring Conversations with a Man of Wisdom

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This is a marvelous book, which will be read for as long as Rabbi Steinsaltz himself is read. I expect that we're speaking of centuries. It allows the reader to recognize that the Rabbi belongs to the category of general teachers, teachers for all, who reach us not through the complexity of their thought but through a kind of ceaseless wisdom and closeness. Suzuki Roshi comes to mind, there are very few others. What a joy to read.

As a recent convert to Judaism I found the book inspiring. Arthur illustrates that one does not have to be brought up in an observant home in order to have fullfilled jewish life. One can turn at any time in there life and become observant. Once I picked up his book I could not put in down. I immediately orderd "The Thirteen Petalled Rose" as well as several books by Rabbi Steinsaltz.

We are instructed by 'Pirke Avot' to get ourselves a Rabbi, a teacher, a spiritual guide. Arthur Kurzweil took this teaching seriously and has for many years questioned, dialogued with and learned with his own chosen teacher. In this very rich and instructive intellectual and spiritual adventure story Kurzweil tells of his meetings and talks with his revered teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.
Kurzweil also tells his own story of return to Judaism, and something of Rabbi Steinsaltz's story. Rabbi Steinsaltz whose father was a kibbutznik himself returned to religious Judaism at the age of seventeen. The fact that he went on to became the great 'talmid chacham',maker and presenter to the Jewish world of a remarkable new translation of the Talmud , and is today considered one of the greatest of all Jewish spiritual leaders is devotedly described in this book.
Arthur Kurzweil in searching for a teacher volunteered to be of any kind of help he could to the Steinsaltz organization. He was given the task of meeting Rabbi Steinsaltz at the airport and chauffering him during his visits to New York. For twenty- five years Kurzweil has chauffered and gained valuable hours of discussion with Rabbi Steinsaltz.
However even before meeting Steinsaltz , Kurzweil was on a path of returning to traditional Judaism. His genealogical researches which are pioneering and central were first undertaken before his meeting with Rabbi Steinsaltz. And this though Rabbi Steinsaltz subsequently greatly encouraged him in these researches, insisting upon the spiritual importance of each person knowing their own roots. Out of this knowledge Rabbi Steinsaltz feels there will certainly come deeper religious obligation.
Arthur Kurzweil in this book is constant in his praise of his teacher. This focusing on his teacher in a way leads him to underplay his own great contributions to the 'Jewish world' As editor he has helped bring to the public many outstanding works of Judaica including works of extremely great spiritual value , such as Yitzhak Buxbaum's 'Jewish Spiritual Practices' Nachum Amsel's work on Jewish Morality and Ethics and Seth Kaddish's work on Jewish Prayer.
Kurzweil describes Rabbi Steinsaltz's meetings with Jewish intellectuals and writers in New York upon the appearance in English of two volumes of his Talmud translation. In citing Steinsaltz's answers to some of these writers' questions he in a sense clarifies a good part of the meaning of the Steinsaltz enterprise. Rabbi Steinsaltz sees the Jewish people , or the greatest share of them as having lost a vital part of their body and soul. They do not know their own religious tradition. In a sense his translation of the Talmud is meant to help them restore that soul.
In other words Steinsaltz is not simply a rabbi for individuals but for the Jewish people as a whole. Here Kurzweil too chronicles Steinsaltz's connection with Habad ( His wife comes from a Habad family) and the whole outreach effort in the Jewish world. But Kurzweil makes it clear that Steinsaltz does not put himself under the rubric of any particular Jewish group but rather works for the Jewish people as a whole.
Kurzweil is not simply a student. He is a vivid and active admirer. He has helped publish much of Rabbi Steinsaltz's work in English. Kurzweil in searching for guidance and wisdom in raising his children also turned to Rabbi Steinsaltz and was helped. The Rabbi advised him among other things that teaching of children need not be confined to what they literally understand.
While it is impossible to question Kurzweil's admiration and devotion to his teacher it is possible to ask whether he is not a bit too uncritical. Even Moshe Reibenu is after all seen in the Jewish tradition as having his faults. And it might even be said that there is something 'non- Jewish' in the kind of total worship various Hasidic groups have displayed towards their 'tzaddikim'.
Yet it must be said that Kurzweil is a devoted student, a person of great intelligence who in his dialogue with Rabbi Steinsaltz also provides knowledge and insight. There may not be equality between student and teacher yet what is felt here is a great mutual respect. And my sense is that Rabbi Steinsaltz has a great appreciation of Arthur Kurzweil as more than simply chauffeur and student, but as true friend and 'mensch'.
I loved reading this book and I think that all those who care about Jewish learning and life, will also do so.

This is a book you can hardly put down once you start reading it - the author is so authentic and gives us a personal insight into the life of Rabbi Steinsaltz. Recommend reading The Thirteenth Petaled Rose before or after reading this book.

Anyone who reads this book will find him or herself to be very fortunate indeed to go along for the ride. I have read numerous books, but never one so powerful. It evokes such a wide range of emotions with a turn of a page. You'll find yourself laughing out loud, with tears in your eyes, perplexed or contemplative. Once you finish, you'll want to read it again. Don't be surprised if you find yourself quoting this book to family and friends. I highly recommend it!

Arthur Kurzweil has been a leading figure in Jewish publishing in America for more than 20 years. In this delightful book, he shares the wisdom and humanity of his spiritual teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, with readers. The author is honest, straightforward, and enlightening in this thought-provoking book. Highly recommended.
Edward Hoffman, Ph.D., author
THE WAY OF SPLENDOR: JEWISH MYSTICISM AND MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

I loved this book. It really helped me to understand Rabbi Steinsaltz. I did think that Mr. Kurtzweil added a lot about his own teaching because he is trying to get speaking engagements out of it, but in general the book is fantastic. Due to what I learned in this book I was inspired to start a study group for _The 13 Petaled Rose_, Rabbi Steinsaltz's seminal work.

I highly recommend this book.

I've gotten to know the author as I was lucky enough to take a course that he taught on the Kaballah this past summer at Kallah 2009. I recognize some of the stories from the class. Reading this book took me back to that wonderful experience. It's a great book. Thank you, my good friend Arthur!

Everything written by Rabbi Steinsaltz is worth reading and keeping. He is one of the greatest thinkers, scholars, and mystics of our time. I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to see R. Steinsaltz in his down time. You can learn so much from simply watching how a great man does mundane, everyday tasks.
If you're looking for a concise handbook geared towards those unfamiliar with the beliefs, practices, and guidelines of Orthodox Judaism, you should try The Outsider's Guide To Orthodox Judaism It's a great gift for your "outsider" friend, boss, or coworker.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz was and still a source of inspiration to me, to my family and to my friends.
Do not look upon him as simply a Jewish scholar, because he is much much more than that. He is a man for all seasons; a man of goodness, intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom. A philosopher, a teacher, a mentor and a pillar of our civilized world.

His wisdom, and his teachings enriched our hearts and minds. This book reveals the multiple aspects and facets of this great man. It is a heart felt book rich with stories that come directly from the heart and a brilliant mind.

I loved it. What a treasure!!