Jonathan Sacks, at The Blogs

Nov 29, 2024, 1:43 PM

The Tragedy of Good Intentions (Toldot, Covenant & Conversation)

It is the deep, reverberating question at the heart of Toldot. Why did Rebecca tell Jacob to deceive Isaac and take Esau’s blessing? Her instruction is brisk and peremptory: Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you:...

Nov 22, 2024, 8:11 AM

The Next Chapter (Chayei Sarah, Covenant & Conversation)

One of the most striking features about Judaism in comparison with, say, Christianity or Islam, is that it is impossible to answer the question: Who is the central character of the drama of faith? In both of the other...

Nov 7, 2024, 9:49 PM

The Power of Example (Lech Lecha, Covenant & Conversation)

So familiar are we with the story of Abraham that we do not always stop to think about what a strange turn it is in the biblical narrative. If we fail to understand this, though, we may fail to...

Sep 27, 2024, 5:40 PM

Leadership: Consensus or Command? (Nitzavim-Vayelech)

The great transition is about to take place. Moses’ career as a leader is coming to an end, and Joshua’s leadership is about to begin. Moses blesses his successor. Then God does. Listen carefully to what they say, and...

Sep 20, 2024, 8:22 PM

Freedom Means Telling the Story (Ki Tavo, Covenant & Conversation)

Here's an experiment. Walk around the great monuments of Washington DC. There, at the far end, is the figure of Abraham Lincoln, four times life-size. Around him on the walls of the memorial are the texts of two of...

Sep 5, 2024, 3:57 PM

Power from the Outside or Self-Restraint from Within (Shoftim)

This summer, we've seen riots on the streets of London and Manchester on the one hand, Tripoli on the other. On the face of it there was nothing in common between them. In London the rioters were holding rocks....

Aug 23, 2024, 7:20 PM

Why Civilisations Fail (Eikev, Covenant & Conversation)

What is the real challenge of maintaining a free society? In parshat Eikev, Moses springs his great surprise. Here are his words: Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God... Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied,...

Aug 16, 2024, 1:45 PM

The Idea that Changed the World (Va’etchanan)

It is one of the great stories of all time, and Moses foresaw it three thousand years before it happened. Here he is speaking in this week’s parsha: See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my...

Aug 1, 2024, 11:32 PM

Natural or Supernatural? (Matot-Masei)

The book of Bamidbar draws to a close with an account of the cities of refuge, the six cities – three on each side of the Jordan – set apart as places to which people found innocent of murder,...

Jul 25, 2024, 3:50 PM

Pacing change (Pinchas, Covenant & Conversation)

Embedded in this week’s parsha is one of the great principles of leadership. The context is this: Moses, knowing that he was not destined to lead the next generation across the Jordan into the promised land, asked God to...

About Me

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020) was a global religious leader, philosopher, the author of more than 25 books, and moral voice for our time. He served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. Rabbi Sacks passed away in November 2020. His series of essays on the weekly Torah portion, entitled "Covenant & Conversation" will continue to be shared, and distributed around the world.