Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The Three Weeks in our time

Remember the past but do not be held captive by it. Still, in today’s fast-moving culture, we undervalue acts of remembering.

The curse of loneliness

Jews were hated because of their religion, then.they were hated because of their race, now they are hated because of their nation state

Covenant & Conversation for Chukat: Anger Management

Maimonides sets out a surprisingly contemporary account of Judaism as a training in emotional intelligence. Moses' anger as an example.

When truth is sacrificed for power

In a contest for power, if I lose, I lose. But if I win, I also lose, because in diminishing my opponents I have diminished myself.

Sanctifying the Name of God

The Jewish people categorise all the victims of the Holocaust and later, all terror victims, as “those who died al kiddush Hashem.”

Insights for Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut

A collection of resources for learning about Israel's special days and teaching them to the family.

From priest to people

This parsha tells the story of one of the greatest, if rarely acknowledged, contributions of Judaism to the world.

Ceremony and Celebration: Inspiration for Pesach

Rabbi Sacks accompanies your Seder and the entire holiday in this choice of his unforgettable thoughts.

Violence and the sacred

Sacrifices divert the destructive energy of violent reciprocity. But justice could do the same, if society reached that level.

The spirit of community

It is almost as if Rabbi Sacks z"l is talking to us today, remarking on how Jews the world over are trying to help those in Ukraine.

Tetzave: Three important lessons for successful Jewish parenting

The three ways in whichl lighting the Menorah is comparable to educating chlldren.

Terumah: The labour of gratitude

Bad things may happen but God has already given us the remedy if we know where to look for it.

Healing the heart of darkness

If knowledge, emotion, and reason lead us to be moral, why is it that humans hate, harm and kill?

The structure of the good society

Understanding the logical structure of the Ten Commandments, Many alternatives have been tried for these laws, and most have ended in tears.

The face of evil (Beshalach)

In today’s terminology, the Egyptians were rational, the Amalekites were not. Only with rational actors there can be negotiated peace.

Telling the Story

Macintyre: “I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the prior question ‘Of what story.. do I find myself a part?’”

Free will and freedom

Enslaving others, Pharaoh himself became enslaved. He became a prisoner of the values he himself had espoused.

Shemot: On not obeying immoral orders

This parasha has the first recorded instance in history of civil disobedience.

When can we lie?

Truth and peace are both values, but which do we choose when they conflict? Not everyone among the rabbinic Sages agreed.

Light up your Hannukah with the teachings of Rabbi Sacks zt"l

As we celebrate Chanukah, here are a number of different resources from Rabbi Sacks zt"l about the Festival of Light! Hannukah sameach!

The heroism of Tamar

From Tamar's bravery, the Sages learned that a person should be willing to jump into a furnace of fire rather than shame another in public.

Herzog awards posthumous Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

President Herzog on late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: He became a masterful articulator of the Jewish foundation of universal values.

Herzog awards posthumous award to Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Remembering my brother, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

"Over this last year,I lost a brother but gained a giant." Alan Sacks says in a special interview with Arutz Sheva

YU opens Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Center for Values and Leadership

New center inaugurated at Yeshiva University in honor of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 1 year after his passing.

Jill Biden pays tribute to Jonathan Sacks at yeshiva fundraiser in Detroit

First Lady gives keynote speech at Detroit yeshiva, paying tribute to former Chief Rabbi of Britain, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

'How perfect were the Matriarchs and Patriarchs?' In memoriam

A deep and enlightening article that exemplifies the wisdom of the rabbi and mentor who passed away one year ago.

Beyond Nature

Covenant introduces moral law. A moral law is not the same as a scientific law. Scientific laws describe, whereas moral laws prescribe.

The meaning of Sukkot and the Sukkah

A selection of articles and videos of interest from the Rabbi Sacks archive on the holiday of Sukkot:

Rabbi Sacks on the meaning of the Sukkah

The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on the Sukkot holiday: 'You can experience eternity in a moment - all you have to do is celebrate.'

A nation of storytellers

To know who we are is, in large part, to understand the story or stories of which we are a part.

Leaders learn

Biblical kings had prophets to guide them, but they continued to learn. That is the mark of a statesman rather than a politician.

Defining reality

We are a small nation. We are smaller than many of our neighbouring nations. But we are different.

To lead is to listen - Eikev 5781

In Judaism we do not see God; we hear God. To listen to God is to be open to God.and that is what Moses is saying throughout Devarim.

The fewest of all peoples

We may be the fewest of all peoples, but when we heed God’s call, we have the ability,to mend and transform the world.

Conflict Resolution Matot-Masei 5781

The negotiation between Moses and the 2 tribes in our parsha follows closely the principles arrived at by the Harvard Negotiation Project,

The Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av

Questions, stories and points for discussion on the saddest period of the Jewish Year.

Miriam, Moses’ friend

Some say that the loss of a sibling is harder to bear than the loss of a parent - Moses has to deal with that bereavement in this parasha.

Servant leadership

What was wrong with Korach and his fellow agitators? He wanted power. HIs followers each had their reasons to feel resentful toward Moses.

Jerusalem, the beating heart of Judaism

In 2017,Rabbi Sacks spoke about the impact the Six Day War had on him as a young student at university..

Sprints and Marathons: Acharei Mot–Kedoshim 5781

The good news is: there once was a Moses. Because of him, the people survived. The bad news is: what happens when there is no Moses?