New Initiative to Honor Souls of Fallen IDF Soldiers
by Moshe New – chabad.org
In response to the mounting casualties on and following Oct. 7, the Steinsaltz Center has announced a new initiative aimed at honoring the souls of fallen IDF soldiers. The project, titled “A Mishna for Every Neshama,” seeks to elevate the memory of these brave individuals who lost their lives defending the Jewish people through a now-complete edition of the Mishnah, the primary text of the Talmud.
Rabbi Adin Even-Israel (Steinsaltz), the world-renowned Talmudist, Kabbalist, educator, community rabbi, philosopher, and prolific author—whose work the Steinsaltz Center perpetuates—spent his life making Torah knowledge accessible to all. His guiding principle, “Let my people know,” has illuminated the path for countless individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of Jewish teachings.
Even-Israel’s corpus of elucidated work includes the complete Tanach, Talmud, Mishneh Torah, and the Tanya, as well as many other titles.
Many of these fundamental works, all elucidated for the modern reader in Even-Israel’s signature style, are available in English on Chabad.org’s Torah Texts as part of a collaboration between the Steinsaltz Center and Chabad.org, who share a vision of making Torah accessible for all.
The newly announced initiative will undertake the next step in Steinsaltz’s life’s mission releasing a newly completed and reworked English translation of the elucidated Mishnah.
A Mishna for Every Neshama
Customarily, Jewish people memorialize the souls of their dear departed by studying Mishnah, which shares the same letters as neshamah, the Hebrew word for “soul.”
“The idea came to us in the months following the outbreak of the war to dedicate the last Seder Taharot to everyone who fell on Oct. 7.” says Rabbi Meni Even-Israel, director of the Steinsaltz Center. “This is something that everyone can participate in. It is for every soul. Everyone who fell defending our people will be mentioned in the opening page. These people gave the ultimate sacrifice for Jews and the Jewish people and by immortalizing them in this way, we elevate their souls,” says Steinsaltz.
Thus the order of Taharot, the final section of the Mishnah, which deals with the laws of ritual purity, will serve as a tribute to the bravery and dedication of these “pure” souls
The Steinsaltz Center is opening up the project to the general public, allowing people to dedicate a Mishnah (or more) in tribute to the fallen heroes.
“By joining in this project, you are joining your soul with the soul of the rest of the Jewish people,” Steinsaltz says. “This is a one-off edition. Your donation will be forevermore.”
To partner in this project, please click here.
