My first hobby is the Talmud because by profession I am, or I have to describe myself as, a defrocked mathematician.
I began as a teacher of mathematics and physics.
I was caught by the Talmud and I really did not want to be a Talmudist.
I wanted to deal with it as a hobby, but the hobby grew. I'm still in love with that hobby of mine.
At the same time, I'm interested in almost everything – from detective stories to science fiction to mathematics to animals.
I am also interested in people – sometimes I even like them.
I am interested in good literature, even though I do not read enough of it.
I prefer children's stories to most earnest literature.
I am interested in science for many reasons, and sometimes in politics.
Sometimes I'm also interested in football, if I have time to watch it; if not, I at least read about it in the newspapers.
So I'm interested in what people are interested in, and not because I have some reason, but because I am curious.
I am still trying to learn, and almost everything fascinates me.
So as long as there is something to learn, I like to learn more and to know more about everything.
–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From an interview with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz with Rabbi WIlliam Berkowitz in 2006