Peter Eisenman, a secular Jewish architect, was the architect behind the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin which opened in 2005. The €25 million ($29.25 million) project includes a grid of 2,711 concrete slabs.
What is so significant about 2,711? This is the number of pages in all of gemara, Shas Bavli. This was Divinely orchestrated as the number 2,711 was not Eisenman’s intention as is shown in the following conversation between R' Josh Spinner and Peter Eisenman which took place in 2005.
R' Spinner: “Does the number of columns have any significance for you?” He replied that the number was not only incidental, but accidental. He had planned and hoped for much higher a number, but it was reduced to approximately 2,700 due to various considerations. And 2,711 (concrete slabs) happened to be the final number. “Mr. Eisenman, do you know that the Talmud has exactly 2,711 pages?” He stepped back in shock. “Are you sure?” “Yes, sir, I am.” “What a story,” said the Jewish architect. The Nazis tried to destroy the Torah but that is what keeps us alive.
