Famed Talmud Scholar to Give Speech in L.A. : Research: Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of Israel will discuss Passover theme. He and others are translating book of Jewish law and learning into English.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz of Israel, one of the world’s foremost Talmudic scholars, will make a rare appearance in Los Angeles on Monday during a public address on the Passover theme of “The Fourth Child.”

Steinsaltz, the winner of the Israel Prize--that nation’s highest honor--is best known for the work that he and a team of scholars have undertaken to translate into English the Talmud, a sweeping multivolume collection of Jewish law and learning completed in the 6th Century.

There are two versions, each named after its place of origin--the Babylonian text, which runs 2.5 million words, and the lesser known Jerusalem or Palestinian Talmud.

A typical page of the Talmud will include a discussion of the Mishnah, or text, and the Gemara, or commentaries. It contains the wisdom of Jewish sages on the law and ritual in relation to medicine, science, legend and daily life.

The Steinsaltz Talmud will mark the first time that the original Babylonian Talmud--originally written in Aramaic--has been completely translated into any language other than Hebrew.

The creation of an English-language Talmud “can begin to reconnect American Jews to their rich heritage,” said Phyllis Folb, spokeswoman of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, which is sponsoring Steinsaltz’s appearance.

The federation said Steinsaltz, who is Orthodox, is highly regarded among Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews.

His talk will be based on observations about the “fourth child.” Traditionally during the Passover Seder, the story is told about four children--a wise child, a wicked child, an innocent child and a fourth child who is unable to ask the right question about Jewish freedom from Egyptian bondage, which is commemorated at Passover.

Steinsaltz, 58, will speak at 8 p.m. Monday at Bnai David-Judea Congregation, located at 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Admission is $8.