The Rabbi Sacks Legacy

Vayelech-Nitzavim. Rabbi Sacks continues the conversation from last week on the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people, and how it affects every one of us. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Ki Tavo. Rabbi Sacks speaks this week of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people, which is formed and maintained through conversation and loyalty. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Ki Teitse. Rabbi Sacks speaks this week of the seemingly strange command against Amalek. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Shoftim. Rabbi Sacks speaks this week of how the Torah is the eternal voice on ideals for society, democracy, politics, freedom and human dignity. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

This week we read the parsha of Re'eh, where Rabbi Sacks will discuss how Jewish law (Halakhah)sets clear guidelines for mourners, allowing us to honour both the dead and the living, sustaining the delicate balance between grief and consolation, the loss of life that gives us pain, and the re-affirmation of life that gives us hope. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice...

Rabbi Sacks was recently asked some questions on the subject of leadership by a student on the Executive Education Programme at the Harvard Business School. The questions focussed on his own leadership journey and the lessons he has learnt along the way. The video, originally intended just to help the student with her assignment, ended up being shown to her entire course (with our permission!). So...

Eikev. What is the real challenge of maintaining a free society? Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha of Eikev, to emphasise the key ways that religion strengthens a sustainable society. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Va'etchanan. Rabbi Sacks enters into the ages old debate on whether the first of the ten commandments is truly the first of the 613 mitzvot, and by breaking down this question, he examines how we view the essence of commandments. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Devarim. Rabbi Sacks raises and answers three fundamental questions about the book of Devarim. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

On Thursday 13th July, Rabbi Sacks delivered a keynote lecture on the concept of what he called 'Cultural Climate Change' and what religion has to offer in an increasingly secularised West. The lecture was hosted by The Chautauqua Institution, an arts and cultural lifelong learning community on the shores of Lake Chautauqua in Western New York.

It's a fateful moment in history. We've seen divisive elections, divided societies and the growth of extremism -- all fueled by anxiety and uncertainty. "Is there something we can do, each of us, to be able to face the future without fear?" asks Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. In this electrifying talk at TED2017, the spiritual leader gives us three specific ways we can move from the politics of "me" t...

Mattot-Masei. Jewish prophets were the world’s first social critics and their message continues through the centuries. Rabbi Sacks takes a look this week at prophetic truths, and what we must learn from them today. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Pinchas. When Moses asks for God to appoint a successor to lead the people, God gives him precise instructions for a three-step process. What is the significance of these detailed instructions? What does it tell us about the nature of leadership in Judaism? Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Balak. "How and why are Jews different. The biblical answer is surprising and profound..." Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Chukat. The Jewish laws known as chukkim are not meant to be necessarily understood by us, but nevertheless they should be followed. In the light of recent neuroscience we can suggest that they are laws designed to bypass the prefrontal cortex, the rational brain, and create instinctive patterns of behaviour to counteract some of the darker emotional drives at work in the human mind. Covenant and...

Korach. "The Korach rebellion was the single most dangerous challenge to Moses’ leadership during the forty years that he led the people through the wilderness." How was this conflict resolved? Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Shelach Lecha. You can take the Jewish people out of Egypt but it's far harder to take Egypt out of the Jewish people. Rabbi Sacks explores how the people changed their mindset after being freed from slavery. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Beha'alotecha. "We identify with the heroes of the Bible because, despite their greatness, they never cease to be human, nor do they aspire to be anything else. Hence the phenomenon of which the sedra of Beha’alotecha provides a shattering example: the vulnerability of some of the greatest religious leaders of all time, to depression and despair." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha, to...

Naso. "Naso is a series of practical lessons in how to ensure, as far as possible, that everyone feels recognised and respected, and that suspicion is defused and dissolved." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha of Naso, to explore the Torah's emphasis on the pursuit of peace. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Mauric...

Bamidbar. "Here in the Torah is the way to create a freedom that honours order, and a social order that honours human freedom. There is no other way." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha of Bamidbar, to explore the repeated themes of the Torah, and what we can learn from them. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Mauri...

Behar & Bechukotai. "Minority rights are the best test of a free and just society." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's double parsha, to look at the Torah's perspective on the treatment of minorities. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Emor. "Time plays an enormous part in Judaism." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha of Emor, to delve into the duality of Jewish Time. Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Tazria-Metsorah. If it is a sin to talk negatively about others, is it a mitzvah to talk positively? Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's double parsha of Tazria-Metsorah, to delve into the idea of "Lashon Tov". Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Shemini. "What is the significance of the “eighth day,” the phrase that gives our sedra its name? To understand the profound symbolism of the number eight, we have to go back to creation itself." Rabbi Sacks takes a look at this week's parsha of Shemini, to explains why... Covenant and Conversation 5777 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne...

This is the ninth episode of the new podcast series from Rabbi Sacks on how to be an inspired (and inspiring) parent. Each short episode focuses on one of Rabbi Sacks' 13 principles of inspired parenting. In this episode, listen to Rabbi Sacks discuss the importance of being in the world but not of the world, of living by your standards and not by the standards the world might seek to impose on yo...