I wrote my first book, I published it in 1955, it was in Yiddish and it was called And The World Was Silent.

My teachers [ had the most impact in my life]. Of course, my father and grandfather, but after my family, my teachers.

I believe in the story [ of Adam and Eve]. For me, it's a story.

The Jewish tradition of learning-is learning. Adam chose knowledge instead of immortality.

I think so. 9/11 has been a turning point in American history, there's no doubt about that.

When I see what is happening all over the world today - the violence - the stupid, arrogant, grotesque violence that is dominating humankind. I cannot not remember that there were other times, of course [the Second World War]. I never compare.

For nearly 3,500 years Exodus has left such an imprint on people's memories that I cannot imagine it had been invented just as a legend or a tale.