"A number of times over the years I have mentioned to Rabbi Steinsaltz that in his lectures, interviews, and writings, there are always such wonderful 'gems' embedded within the transcripts and essays, and I find myself repeating these 'gems' to people.

'Perhaps not gems,' he responds. 'Maybe pebbles.'"—From the Introduction

Internationally acclaimed Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is considered to be one of the most brilliant and influential rabbis of our time. He has been lauded by Time magazine as a "once-in-a-millennium scholar" and by Ted Koppel of Nightline as "one of the very few wise men that I've ever met."

Arthur Kurzweil—himself a Jewish scholar, author, teacher, publisher, and a longtime disciple of Rabbi Steinsaltz—has gathered in one place a collection of "pebbles" of wisdom from Rabbi Steinsaltz. This wonderful book is filled with wisdom from more than thirty years of Rabbi Steinsaltz's lectures, writings, interviews, conversations, and reflections.

Pebbles of Wisdom includes Rabbi Steinsaltz's thoughts on the big topics of life including the meaning of happiness, the search for the purpose of one's life, the point of suffering, discovering oneself, dangers along the spiritual path, the process of transforming oneself, and the challenges of faith.

Biography

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is a teacher, philosopher, social critic, and prolific author. His lifelong work in Jewish education has earned him the Israel Prize, that country's highest honor. He is best known for his monumental commentary on the Babylonian Talmud.

Rabbi Steinsaltz is the author of over sixty books including The Thirteen Petalled Rose, The Essential Talmud, The Miracle of the Seventh Day, Opening the Tanya, and We Jews, and he is the subject of the book On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz. He has served as scholar in residence for the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and for the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton University. His honorary degrees include doctorates from Yeshiva University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Bar Ilan University, Brandeis University, and Florida International University.