The interactions that are possible between Jews and non-Jews in modern times are fundamentally different from those of any previous era in Jewish history. Particularly in the Western world, Jews and non-Jews meet each other in civil society on an equal footing. In the secular context of the modern state, a consensus has been reached about religious freedom. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists may live side by side—and each by his own faith shall live. “toleration” is a concept very hard to apply in the context of monotheism. Religious beliefs cannot, and really should not, figure as options on a list of legitimate alternatives.

However, there are partial solutions about which not enough has been said. Judaism, despite the absolute and exclusionary quality of its monotheism, has a side that tends toward openness and toleration. This side of Judaism has also an expression in the Jewish abstention from proselytizing. Even ultimately, Judaism does not view itself as the religion of all people. It is the religion of the Jews alone and is, for almost all its practitioners, inherited. The assumption that Judaism is the religion of one people (and a few unsought converts) is emphatically a normative principle and is important to our discussion because it suggests that, within Jewish doctrine, there is room for the religious beliefs of others. Rabbi Steinsaltz’s involvement in interfaith relations brings him to places around the world to meet with diplomatic and religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama and chief cardinals at the Vatican. In 2000, he delivered a keynote address at the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations, and in 2004, he presented at the World Symposium of Catholic Cardinals and Jewish Leaders, hosted by the World Jewish Congress. In November 2005, Rabbi Steinsaltz was hosted by the Vatican, where he delivered a lecture on "Infinity in Science and Faith" at the STOQ (Science, Theology and the Ontological Quest) '05 International Conference on "Infinity in Science, Philosophy and Theology." Through these visits and others, the Rabbi has opened a dialogue among the world’s foremost religious leaders and scholars. Each year, Rabbi Steinsaltz is invited to Hong Kong by the Ohel Leah Synagogue, where he gives lectures and Talmud classes that are open to the entire community. Hundreds of people who have attended his lectures over the years eagerly await his annual return and the opportunity to study with him once again. During a tour of China, Rabbi Steinsaltz presented a Chinese translation of his commentary to Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) to the Chinese National Academy of Social Sciences. On a recent visit to Australia, he delivered a series of talks in Sydney and Melbourne that engaged more than 1,000 participants. The Rabbi also spoke to the Russian Jewish community there and lead a Shabbat retreat for the Russian-speaking Jews that featured in-depth study of fundamental Jewish topics like prayer and Shabbat. He is often invited to speak in Rome by the Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Shmuel Di Segni. Rabbi Steinsaltz has given classes at the Rabbinical School there and spoken to the community about two of his books that are published in Italian, [http://www.steinsaltz.org/dynamic/book_details.asp?id=22 The Essential Talmud] and [http://www.steinsaltz.org/dynamic/content.asp?id=22 The Thirteen Petalled Rose]. In response to the brutal attacks of September 11, 2001 and the escalation of violence in the land of Israel, Rabbi Steinsaltz issued an international Call to Prayer to unite the Jewish people during a time of crisis. [http://www.steinsaltz.org/dynamic/content.asp?id=64 A prayer composed by Rabbi Steinsaltz], which asks God to respond with mercy to the pleas of Israel, was distributed in the United States, Israel, the former Soviet Union, and around the world and inspired thousands to compose their own personal prayers and to reflect on the need for Jewish unity to bring about a more peaceful world.

==Biography==

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