 In 1863 the Russian government appointed Steinberg censor of all Jewish publications, both domestic and foreign.In 1887 he was requested by the government to inspect the "yeshibah" at Volozhin with a view to introducing into the curriculum of that institution the study of the Russian language and literature and other general subjects.Steinberg succeeded in convincing the officials of the institution of the necessity of such reforms, and they promised to carry out his plans; two years passed, however, without their complying with the request of the government, and the institution was closed in spite of Steinberg's pleadings for another year's delay.