A Powerful Response to History
The timing of the event carried profound symbolic weight. It took place on the 9th of the Hebrew month of Tammuz—the exact date marking 782 years since the tragic Burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1242, when thousands of sacred Jewish manuscripts were set ablaze by order of King Louis IX. Launching the fully translated Talmud in French on this precise day serves as a powerful testament to the eternity of Jewish learning, celebrating the ultimate victory of the Jewish spirit over centuries of persecution.
President Isaac Herzog praised the achievement during the ceremony, stating:
"The printing of the Talmud in French opens a gateway to bring these sacred texts to so many people, both within the Jewish community and to the wider world."
Bringing the Steinsaltz Revolution to the French-Speaking World
Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, who passed away in 2020, dedicated 45 years of his life to a singular, revolutionary mission: making the complex Babylonian Talmud accessible to every Jew. Driven by his lifelong motto, "Let my people know," he broke down the barriers of ancient Aramaic by adding modern punctuation, vocalization, and scientific, botanical, and historical illustrations that brought the text to life.
While his unconventional approach initially faced fierce resistance from certain ultra-Orthodox circles for altering the traditional page layout, his work eventually achieved global consensus and became a staple in study halls worldwide. Now, that very same revolution has reached its finish line in the French language.
Philanthropist Patrick Drahi spoke about the unique intellectual and cultural value of Talmudic discourse:
"Disagreement and debate are integral parts of the Talmud, and within its pages, they lead to mutual enrichment. My hope is that the publication of this edition will also contribute to our collective ability to listen to different perspectives."
Rabbi Meni Even-Israel, the late rabbi's son and CEO of the Steinsaltz Center, concluded the event with a sense of deep pride and destiny:
"The publication of the Talmud in French and today's event symbolize the continuity and eternity of the Torah of Israel and the Jewish people."
The completion of this project stands as a historic milestone. It opens the doors of Talmudic wisdom to countless new learners, scholars, and seekers, strengthening the living bridge between timeless Jewish tradition and the modern world.
