Podcasts about rabbi sacks

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2014. Follow along with the audio here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/korach/servant-leadership/ This week we are featuring a Rabbi Sacks essay on a similar theme, entitled 'The Servant as Leader'. Read and download the written essay, and all translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/korach/the-leader-as-servant/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/korach/the-leader-as-servant/ ___________________ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2019. To read and download the written essay, and all translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shelach-lecha/fear-of-freedom/ This week we are featuring the written essay entitled 'The Real World' written by Rabbi Sacks in 2012. Find it here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shelach-lecha/the-real-world/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available in English, French and Turkish: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/shelach-lecha/the-real-world/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Why did Israel launch defensive strikes against Iran's nuclear sites — and what does this mean for regional security? AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. (res.) Avital Leibovich joins from IDF reserve duty to explain Operation Rising Lion — Israel's precision military strikes aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities. Find out why Israel saw this defensive action as vital to protect millions of lives and prevent Iran's nuclear breakout. Resources: 5 Key Reasons Behind Israel's Defensive Strike on Iran's Imminent Nuclear Threat Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod:  Latest Episodes:  What Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks' State of the Jewish World Teaches Us Today AJC's CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman  Late Thursday night, Israel launched a series of preemptive strikes against Iran in a military offensive dubbed Operation Rising Lion. The wave of strikes comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for obstructing its inspections after the revelation of a secretive nuclear site. What is happening on the ground, what's next, and what are the implications for Israel, Iran, and the broader Middle East? AJC Jerusalem director, Avital Leibovich, who also serves as Lieutenant Colonel in the IDF reserves, joins us now from reserve duty as counterattacks from Iran have begun. Avital, thank you for joining us with pleasure. Avital, negotiations for a new nuclear deal with Iran have been underway since April. There have been five rounds, maybe six, and another was going to begin on Sunday. President Trump also asked Israel to hold off on this preemptive operation. So why did Israel choose to launch these strikes? At this particular time, Avital Leibovich  Israel took a decision already to prepare for a preemptive attack on Iran. Since November, what happened in November? In November, Hezbollah lost the majority of its capabilities, of its military capabilities, and also of its leadership. Actually, a lot of his leaders, military leaders, have been eliminated, starting with Nasrallah, Hassan, Nasrallah, and going on to all the major generals of the organization. And basically the Shiite axis, as we call it here in Israel, was broken. Add to this, what happened a month later in December, when Assad's regime crashed, collapsed and was replaced by an anti Iranian man, jihadist, which jihadist background, by the name of Ahmed al Shara. So Iran was actually by on its own, really, because instead of circling Israel from the north, both from Syria and from Lebanon. Now it was circling in a very one dimension way, only from the east. So in order to do that, Iran figured out it needed to really upscale its nuclear capabilities, and for that, they sped up a few processes, for example, uranium enrichment, but not only that, also the weaponization of a potential nuclear bomb. And all of these steps actually brought us to a point that we are today, the point of no return. Iran will not be able to return to 20 years ago, 30 years ago, when it did not have those capabilities as it has today. For us in Israel, this is an issue of existence, either we exist or we don't, and that is the sole reason why the preemptive strike actually began today. This is according to Israeli intelligence, we have all the indications and data showing us this really major leap. And look the IAEA, you know, they issue reports every couple of months. It's their kind of responsibility for us. It's a matter of life and death. We cannot, you know, comply only with reports. And the reports sit on some shelf somewhere and and there's a lot of dust which is piling up on these reports for us, we needed action. So based on this very accurate intelligence, and some of this intelligence that has been accumulated for many, many years, you can see in the attack in Iran, you can see the very accurate attacks, the pinpointed strikes, which actually are directed at specific terrorists and not causing damage to uninvolved civilians, just To the locals. Yeah, Manya Brachear Pashman And how do you evaluate the Trump administration's response so far, given the diplomatic efforts underway? Well, Avital Leibovich I think that he is using the attacks to leverage and put pressure on Iran to resume the negotiation table in a few days. And as you know, there were six rounds of talks, and the best of my knowledge, there were huge gaps between the two sides, the American side and the Iranian side. I'm not sure these gaps can be bridged. We heard over and over again, President Trump say that Iran will never be able to enrich uranium. And then we heard Iranian leaders like Hamina say, this is the basic right of the Iranian people to enrich uranium. So I'm not sure how you can get you can bridge such a deep gap overall, I think that the President. Uh, has been congratulating Israel on its excellent attacks until now. But again, we are in the beginning. We're in the beginning phase of the attacks, although they're spread all over Iran. This is still the first day. We need to keep this in mind. Manya Brachear Pashman  The targets included more than nuclear sites. It included ballistic missile sites as well, and we're receiving word that Iran has fired ballistic missiles toward Israel as we speak, they fired ballistic missiles on Israel in April. If this counterattack continues, do you expect the United States to step in to defend Israel, and do you expect some of your neighbors to step in and help as well as they did in April the United Arab Emirates or Bahrain Avital Leibovich So as for the neighbors, I think that if their aerial space will be violated and breached by Iran, then of course, they have the right, like any other country, they're sovereign, to protect their own airspace. First of all, they will be protecting themselves and their people, not Israel, as for the US. This really depends on what Iran chooses to do next. The retaliation that Iran had practiced until now was launching 100 plus drones, explosive drones, to Israel. Almost all of these drones have been intercepted. This happened in the morning today. Now if Iran will decide that the ballistic missiles or the cruise missiles that it will launch here, will attack not only Israel, but also US bases across the region. Then here, there's a question, how will the US respond? Will the US retaliate as well? If that would happen, we could have even a more significant strike together the US and Israel. Manya Brachear Pashman  These attacks killed two lead scientists, IRGC commanders, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders. Is there a long-term goal of prompting a regime change? Avital Leibovich  So first of all, there are few types of targets in Iran, and you mentioned some of them. Physics and nuclear scientists are, of course, a critical human resource to the Iranian regime, as they rely on their long term knowledge and expertise on producing the bomb as soon as possible, as quick as possible, and by eliminating them in a way, you are removing the immediate threat. Other options are economic options. For example, really Iran relies on oil and buys it from China and maybe other countries as well. So obviously, Israel could decide to target its oil reserves, and this will be, of course, a significant economic blow. The third option is to target the government, leadership, politicians. Now, Israel, up to this moment, did not choose an economic target or a political target, but this may change in the future. The military targets, of course, are the most immediate targets that Israel is attacking, and the idea is to eliminate the immediate threat on Israel for the long range? Well, in the Middle East, in this part of the world, unfortunately, long range is something we can only put as a vision which is not bad. I'm happy to dream. I'm dreaming often Iran, which is similar to the Iran we knew before 1979 before the revolution, a moderate country, a human, loving country with values that I can share and adopt just the same. I'm looking at a different Middle East, maybe in a few years, with an expansion of the Abraham Accords, and creating an axis of moderate countries and other Shiite countries. So all of these changes that we're witnessing right now in the region and may still witness in the future, may all have an impact also on the long range outcome of the current war, which is unprecedented. Manya Brachear Pashman   I know Israel calls this a preemptive attack, but what do you say to countries who have already expressed concern about what they call an unprovoked attack? Avital Leibovich Well, I think it's enough for them just to look at the many kind of materials, which Israel and the Israeli. Army released today, showing what they have done, what Iran has done on its own soil. Now, when you follow the targets we just spoke about, you can see that these are not civilian targets. In other words, Israel is not attacking a school or a building just in the middle of Tehran for nothing. It's attacking deliberate military related sites. Actually, I think that, if I'm daring to dream again, I think that the people of Israel and the people of Iran have a lot in common. They're both people with deep heritage, with beautiful cultures. So I do envision one day a different regime in Iran, such a regime that could really bring the two countries together, opening a new page. And I think it will do a better Middle East here for all of us. Manya Brachear Pashman  We have talked about how Hamas embeds itself among the Palestinian civilians in Gaza. So no matter how precise Israel's attacks are, civilians are killed. Does Iran do the same thing? Or, I should say, does the Iranian regime do the same thing in Iran? Avital Leibovich  Obviously, Iran is not a democracy, and there is a similarity here with Hamas. We are talking about almost a fanaticist religious kind of aspect, which is also very similar to Hamas. Actually, Hamas and Iran have been connected for decades, for many, many decades, so they do share a lot of similarities. But unfortunately, the freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of of culture, is not something which is of an ordinary situation in Iran. It's very unfortunate. You know, I'm sometimes following the social media in Iran, and I see how people speak about the regime. I see how they curse the regime. I see how they aspire for better lives. I see them organize parties in basements and so so the regime will not find out. I see them the women wearing jeans underneath hijabs long dresses, trying to conceal them for God forbid, so they would not be considered as not modest. So it's very unfortunate that the public is suffering in Iran, and we see that, not only in the general atmosphere, but also we see it with the standards of life, they have only electricity a couple of days of couple of hours a day. Water is scarce. The the prices of food, they are huge. Take, for example, today, one American dollar, it equals almost 1 million rials. For comparison, $1 equals three point 60 Israeli shekels. So yeah, they're suffering from many, many perspectives. Manya Brachear Pashman  Thank you so much for joining us stay safe.  Avital Leibovich   Thank you, Manya, and I'll just thank everybody for their support. I'm Israel. If Manya Brachear Pashman  you missed last week's episode, be sure to tune in for a special crossover episode between people of the pod and Books and Beyond, the podcast of the Rabbi Sacks legacy, Dr Tanya white, host of Books and Beyond, and Joanna benaroche, global, Chief Executive of the legacy, sit down with my colleague, Maggie wishegrad Fredman to discuss how the wisdom and perspective of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks still endures today.  

In 2014, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks stood on the AJC Global Forum stage and delivered a powerful call to action: “We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy… We never defined ourselves as victims. We never lost our sense of humor. Our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God.” Over a decade later, at AJC Global Forum 2025, AJC's Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman, revisits that message in a special crossover episode between People of the Pod and Books and Beyond, the podcast of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. She speaks with Dr. Tanya White, one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and host of Books and Beyond, and Joanna Benarroch, Global Chief Executive of the Legacy, about Rabbi Sacks's enduring wisdom and what it means for the Jewish future. Resources: The State of the Jewish World Address: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks The Inaugural Sacks Conversation with Tony Blair Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod:  Latest Episodes:  “They Were Bridge Builders”: Remembering Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky AJC's CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman: On this week 16 years ago, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks published Future Tense, a powerful vision of the future of Judaism, Jewish life, and the state of Israel in the 21st Century. Five years later, he delivered a progress report on that future to AJC Global Forum.  On the sidelines of this year's Global Forum, my colleague Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman spoke with two guests from the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, which was established after his death in 2020 to preserve and teach his timeless and universal wisdom. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   In 2014, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed our Global Forum stage to offer the state of the Jewish world. Modeled after the US President's State of the Union speech given every year before Congress and the American people, this address was intended to offer an overview of what the Jewish people were experiencing, and to look towards our future. The full video is available on AJC's website as well as the Sacks Legacy website. For today's episode, we are holding a crossover between AJC's People of the Pod podcast and Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. On Books and Beyond, each episode features experts reflecting on particular works from Rabbi Sacks. Channeling that model, we'll be reflecting on Rabbi Sacks' State of the Jewish World here at AJC's 2025 Global Forum in New York. AJC has long taken inspiration from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and today, AJC and the Rabbi Sacks legacy have developed a close partnership. To help us understand his insights, I am joined by two esteemed guests. Dr. Tanya White is one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and the founder and host of the podcast Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. Joanna Benarroch is the Global Chief Executive of the Rabbi Sacks legacy. And prior to that, worked closely with Rabbi Sacks for over two decades in the Office of the Chief Rabbi.  Joanna, Tanya, thank you for being with us here at AJC's Global Forum.  Tanya White:   It's wonderful to be with you, Meggie. Joanna Benarroch:   Thank you so much, Meggie.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   I want to get to the State of the Jewish World. I vividly remember that address. I was with thousands of people in the room, Jews from different walks of life, Jews from around the globe, as well as a number of non-Jewish leaders and dignitaries. And what was so special is that each of them held onto every single word.  He identifies these three areas of concern: a resurgence of antisemitism in Europe, delegitimization of Israel on the global stage, and the Iranian regime's use of terror and terror proxies towards Israel.  This was 2014, so with exception of, I would say today, needing to broaden, unfortunately, antisemitism far beyond Europe, to the skyrocketing rates we're living through today, it's really remarkable the foresight and the relevance that these areas he identified hold.  What do you think allowed Rabbi Sacks to see and understand these challenges so early, before many in the mainstream did? And how is his framing of antisemitism and its associated threats different from others? And I'll let  Tanya jump in and start. Tanya White:  So firstly, I think there was something very unique about Rabbi Sacks. You know, very often, since he passed, we keep asking the question, how was it that he managed to reach such a broad and diverse audience, from non Jews and even in the Jewish world, you will find Rabbi Sacks his books in a Chabad yeshiva, even a Haredi yeshiva, perhaps, and you will find them in a very left, liberal Jewish institution. There's something about his works, his writing, that somehow fills a space that many Jews of many denominations and many people, not just Jews, are searching for. And I think this unique synthesis of his knowledge, he was clearly a religious leader, but he wasn't just uniquely a religious leader.  He was a scholar of history, of philosophy, of political thought, and the ability to, I think, be able to not just read and have the knowledge, but to integrate the knowledge with what's going on at this moment is something that takes extreme prowess and a very deep sense of moral clarity that Rabbi Sacks had. And I would say more than moral clarity, is a moral imagination. I think it was actually Tony Blair. He spoke about the fact that Rabbi Sacks had this ability, this kind of, I think he even used the term moral imagination, that he was able to see something that other people just couldn't see.  Professor Berman from University of Bar Ilan, Joshua Berman, a brilliant Bible scholar. So he was very close to Rabbi Sacks, and he wrote an article in Israeli, actually, an Israeli newspaper, and he was very bold in calling Rabbi Sacks a modern day prophet.  What is a prophet? A prophet is someone who is able to see a big picture and is able to warn us when we're veering in the wrong direction. And that's what you see in the AJC address, and it's quite incredible, because it was 11 years ago, 2014. And he could have stood up today and said exactly the same thing. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  But there is nonetheless a new antisemitism. Unlike the old it isn't hatred of Jews for being a religion. It isn't hatred of Jews as a race. It is hatred of Jews as a sovereign nation in their own land, but it has taken and recycled all the old myths. From the blood libel to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.  Though I have to confess, as I said to the young leaders this morning, I have a very soft spot for antisemites, because they say the nicest things about Jews. I just love the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Because, according to this, Jews control the banks, Jews control the media, Jews control the world. Little though they know, we can't even control a shul board meeting. Tanya White:  So what's fascinating is, if you look at his book Future Tense, which was penned in 2009.The book itself is actually a book about antisemitism, and you'll note its title is very optimistic, Future Tense, because Rabbi Sacks truly, deeply believed, even though he understood exactly what antisemitism was, he believed that antisemitism shouldn't define us. Because if antisemitism defines who we are, we'll become the victims of external circumstances, rather than the agents of change in the future.  But he was very precise in his description of antisemitism, and the way in which he describes it has actually become a prism through which many people use today. Some people don't even quote him. We were discussing it yesterday, Joanna, he called it a mutating virus, and he speaks about the idea that antisemitism is not new, and in every generation, it comes in different forms. But what it does is like a virus. It attacks the immune system by mutating according to how the system is at the time.  So for example, today, people say, I'm not antisemitic, I'm just anti-Zionist. But what Rabbi Sacks said is that throughout history, when people sought to justify their antisemitism, they did it by recourse to the highest source of authority within that culture. So for example, in the Middle Ages, the highest recourse of authority was religion. So obviously we know the Christian pogroms and things that happen were this recourse the fact, well, the Jews are not Christians, and therefore we're justified in killing them.  In the Enlightenment period, it was science. So we have the and the Scientific Study of Race, right and Social Darwinism, which was used to predicate the Nazi ideology. Today, the highest value is, as we all know, human rights.  And so the virus of antisemitism has mutated itself in order to look like a justification of human rights. If we don't challenge that, we are going to end up on the wrong side of history. And unfortunately, his prediction we are seeing come very much to light today. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  I want to turn to a different topic, and this actually transitioned well, because Tanya, you raised Prime Minister Tony Blair. Joanna, for our listeners who may have less familiarity with Rabbi Sacks, I would love for you to fill in a larger picture of Rabbi Sacks as one of the strongest global Jewish advocates of our time. He was a chief rabbi, his torah knowledge, his philosophical works make him truly a religious and intellectual leader of our generation.  At the same time, he was also counsel to the royal family, to secular thought leaders, world leaders, and in his remarks here at Global Forum, he actually raised addressing leading governing bodies at the European Union at that time, including Chancellor Merkel. These are not the halls that rabbis usually find themselves in. So I would love for you to explain to our audience, help us understand this part of Rabbi Sacks' life and what made him so effective in it.  Joanna Benarroch:  Thanks, Meggie. Over the last couple of weeks, I spent quite a bit of time with people who have been interested in learning more about Rabbi Sacks and looking at his archive, which we've just housed at the National Library in Israel. Then I spent quite a significant amount of time with one of our Sacks Scholars who's doing a project on exactly this.  How did he live that Judaism, engaged with the world that he wrote so eloquently about when he stepped down as chief rabbi. And a couple of days ago, I got an email, actually sent to the Sacks Scholar that I spent time with, from the gifted archivist who's working on cataloging Rabbi Sacks' archive. She brought our attention to a video that's on our website.  Rabbi Sacks was asked by a young woman who was a student at Harvard doing a business leadership course, and she asked Rabbi Sacks for his help with her assignment. So he answered several questions, but the question that I wanted to bring to your attention was: what difference have you sought to make in the world?  The difference that he sought to make in the world, and this is what he said, “is to make Judaism speak to people who are in the world, because it's quite easy being religious in a house of worship, in a synagogue or church, or even actually at home or in the school. But when you're out there in the marketplace, how do you retain those strong values?  And secondly, the challenge came from University. I was studying philosophy at a time when there were virtually no philosophers who were religious believers, or at least, none who were prepared to publicly confess to that. So the intellectual challenges were real. So how do you make Judaism speak to people in those worlds, the world of academic life, the world of economy?  And in the end, I realized that to do that credibly, I actually had to go into the world myself, whether it was broadcasting for the BBC or writing for The Times, and getting a little street cred in the world itself, which actually then broadened the mission. And I found myself being asked by politicians and people like that to advise them on their issues, which forced me to widen my boundaries.” So from the very beginning, I was reminded that John–he wrote a piece. I don't know if you recall, but I think it was in 2005, maybe a little bit earlier. He wrote a piece for The Times about the two teenagers killed a young boy, Jamie Bulger, and he wrote a piece in The Times. And on the back of that, John Major, the prime minister at the time, called him in and asked him for his advice.  Following that, he realized that he had something to offer, and what he would do is he would host dinners at home where he would bring key members of either the parliament or others in high positions to meet with members of the Jewish community. He would have one on one meetings with the Prime Minister of the time and others who would actually come and seek his advice and guidance.  As Tanya reflected, he was extremely well read, but these were books that he read to help him gain a better understanding into the world that we're living in. He took his time around general elections to ring and make contact with those members of parliament that had got in to office, from across the spectrum. So he wasn't party political. He spoke to everybody, and he built up. He worked really hard on those relationships.  People would call him and say so and so had a baby or a life cycle event, and he would make a point of calling and making contact with them. And you and I have discussed the personal effect that he has on people, making those building those relationships. So he didn't just do that within the Jewish community, but he really built up those relationships and broaden the horizons, making him a sought after advisor to many.  And we came across letters from the current king, from Prince Charles at the time, asking his guidance on a speech, or asking Gordon Brown, inviting him to give him serious advice on how to craft a good speech, how long he should speak for? And Gordon Brown actually gave the inaugural annual lecture, Memorial Lecture for Rabbi Sacks last in 2023 and he said, I hope my mentor will be proud of me.  And that gave us, I mean, it's emotional talking about it, but he really, really worked on himself. He realized he had something to offer, but also worked on himself in making his ideas accessible to a broad audience. So many people could write and can speak. He had the ability to do both, but he worked on himself from quite a young age on making his speeches accessible. In the early days, they were academic and not accessible. Why have a good message if you can't share it with a broad audience? Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  What I also am thinking about, we're speaking, of course, here at an advocacy conference. And on the one hand, part of what you're describing are the foundations of being an excellent Jewish educator, having things be deeply accessible.  But the other part that feels very relevant is being an excellent global Jewish advocate is engaging with people on all sides and understanding that we need to engage with whomever is currently in power or may who may be in power in four years. And it again, speaks to his foresight.  Joanna Benarroch:  You know, to your point about being prophetic, he was always looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead. He was never looking at tomorrow or next week. He was always, what are we doing now that can affect our future? How do I need to work to protect our Jewish community? He was focused whilst he was chief rabbi, obviously on the UK, but he was thinking about the global issues that were going to impact the Jewish community worldwide. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Yes. I want to turn to the antidote that Rabbi Sacks proposed when he spoke here at Global Forum. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  I will tell you the single most important thing we have to do, more important than all the others. We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy.  Do you know why Judaism survived? I'll tell you. Because we never defined ourselves as victims. Because we never lost our sense of humor. Because never in all the centuries did we internalize the disdain of the world. Yes, our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So he highlights the need to proudly embrace the particularism of Judaism, which really in today's world, feels somewhat at odds with the very heavy reliance we have on universalism in Western society. And underpinning this, Rabbi Sacks calls on us to embrace the joy of Judaism, simchatah, Chaim, or, as he so fittingly puts it, less oy and more joy. How did both of these shape Rabbi Sacks's wider philosophy and advocacy, and what do they mean for us today? Tanya White:  Rabbi Sacks speaks about the idea of human beings having a first and second language. On a metaphorical level, a second language is our particularities. It's the people, it's the family we're born. We're born into. It's where we learn who we are. It's what we would call today in sociology, our thick identity. Okay, it's who, who I am, what I believe in, where I'm going to what my story is. But all of us as human beings also have a first language. And that first language can be, it can manifest itself in many different ways. First language can be a specific society, a specific nation, and it can also be a global my global humanity, my first language, though, has to, I have to be able to speak my first language, but to speak my first language, meaning my universal identity, what we will call today, thin identity. It won't work if I don't have a solid foundation in my thick identity, in my second language. I have nothing to offer my first language if I don't have a thick, particular identity.  And Rabbi Sacks says even more than that. As Jews, we are here to teach the world the dignity of difference. And this was one of Rabbi Sacks' greatest messages. He has a book called The Dignity of Difference, which he wrote on the heels of 9/11. And he said that Judaism comes and you have the whole story of Babel in the Bible, where the people try to create a society that is homogenous, right? The narrative begins, they were of one people and one language, you know, and what, and a oneness of things. Everyone was the same. And Rabbi Sacks says that God imposes diversity on them. And then sees, can they still be unified, even in their diversity? And they can't.  So Rabbi Sacks answers that the kind of antidote to that is Abraham. Who is Abraham? Abraham the Ivri. Ivri is m'ever, the other. Abraham cut this legacy. The story of Abraham is to teach the world the dignity of difference.  And one of the reasons we see antisemitism when it rears its head is when there is no tolerance for the other in society. There is no tolerance for the particular story. For my second language. For the way in which I am different to other people. There's no real space for diversity, even when we may use hashtags, okay, or even when we may, you know, proclaim that we are a very diverse society. When there is no space for the Jew, that's not true dignifying of difference. And so I think for Rabbi Sacks, he told someone once that one of his greatest, he believed, that one of his greatest novelties he brought into the world was the idea of Torah and chochma, which is torah and wisdom, universal wisdom. And Rabbi Sacks says that we need both.  We need to have the particularity of our identity, of our language, of our literacy, of where we came from, of our belief system. But at the same time, we also need to have universal wisdom, and we have to constantly be oscillating and be kind of trying to navigate the space between these two things. And that's exactly what Rabbi Sacks did.  And so I would say, I'll actually just finish with a beautiful story that he used to always tell. He would tell the story, and he heard this story from the late Lubavitcher, Menachem Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who was a very big influence on Rabbi Sacks and the leader of the Chabad movement.  So in the story, there's two people that are schlepping rocks up a mountain, two workers, and one of them just sees his bags that are full of rocks and just sees no meaning or purpose in his work. The other understands that he's carrying diamonds in his bag.  And one day they get a different bag, and in that bag there's rubies, and the person who carries the rocks sees the rubies as rocks, again, sees that as a burden. But the person who's carrying the rubies and understands their value, even though they may not be diamonds, understands the values of the stones, will see them in a different way.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe said, if we see our identity, our Judaism, as stones to carry as a burden that we have to just schlep up a mountain, then we won't see anyone else's particular religion or particular belief system or particularity as anything to be dignified or to be valued.  But if we see our religion as diamonds, we'll understand that other people's religions, though for me, they may be rubies, they're still of value. You have to understand that your religion is diamonds, and you have to know what your religion is, understand what it is. You have to embrace your particularity. You have to engage with it, value it, and then go out into the world and advocate for it. And that, to me, was exactly what Rabbi Sacks did. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So much of what you're outlining is the underpinning of being a successful engager in interfaith and inter religious work. And Rabbi Sacks, of course, was such a leader there. At  AJC, we have taken inspiration from Rabbi Sacks and have long engaged in interfaith and inter-religious work, that's exactly a linchpin of it, of preaching one's own faith in order to engage with others. Tanya White:  That's the oy and the joy. For Rabbi Sacks, it's exactly that, if I see it as the oy, which is schlepping it up the mountain, well, I'm not going to be a very good advocate, but if I see it as the joy, then my advocacy, it's like it shines through. Joanna Benarroch:  It's very interesting, because he was interviewed by Christian Amanpour on CNN in 2014 just after he stepped down, as she she quoted the phrase “less oy and more joy” back to him, referring to his description of the Jewish community. When he came into office in 1991 he was worried about rising assimilation and out-marriage. And she said: How did you turn it around?  He said, “We've done the book of Lamentations for many centuries. There's been a lot of antisemitism and a lot of negativity to Jewish identity. And if you think of yourself, exactly as you're describing, as the people who get hated by others, or you've got something too heavy to carry, you're not going to want to hand that on to your children.  If you've got a very open society, the question is, why should I be anything in particular? Being Jewish is a very particular kind of Jewish identity, but I do feel that our great religious traditions in Judaism is the classic instance of this.  We have enormous gifts to offer in the 21st century, a very strong sense of community, very supportive families, a dedicated approach to education. And we do well with our children. We're a community that believes in giving. We are great givers, charitably and in other ways.  So I think when you stay firm in an identity, it helps you locate yourself in a world that sometimes otherwise can be seen to be changing very fast and make people very anxious. I think when you're rooted in a people that comes through everything that fate and history can throw at it, and has kept surviving and kept being strong and kept going, there's a huge thing for young people to carry with them.” And then he adds, to finish this interview, he said, “I think that by being what we uniquely are, we contribute to humanity what only we can give.” What Rabbi Sacks had was a deep sense of hope. He wore a yellow tie to give people hope and to make them smile. That's why he wore a yellow tie on major occasions. You know, sunshine, bringing hope and a smile to people's faces. And he had hope in humanity and in the Jewish people.  And he was always looking to find good in people and things. And when we talk about less oy and more joy. He took pleasure in the simple things in life. Bringing music into the community as a way to uplift and bring the community together.  We just spent a lovely Shabbat together with AJC, at the AJC Shabbaton with the students. And he would have loved nothing more than being in shul, in synagogue with the community and joining in.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Thank you Joanna, and that's beautiful. I want to end our conversation by channeling how Rabbi Sacks concluded his 2014 address. He speaks about the need for Jewish unity at that time. Let's take a listen.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  We must learn to overcome our differences and our divisions as Jews and work together as a global people. Friends, consider this extraordinary historical fact: Jews in history have been attacked by some of the greatest empires the world has ever known, empires that bestrode the narrow world like a colossus. That seemed invulnerable in their time. Egypt of the pharaohs, Assyria, Babylonia, the Alexandrian Empire, the Roman Empire, the medieval empires of Christianity and Islam, all the way up to the Third Reich and the Soviet Union. Each one of those, seemingly invulnerable, has been consigned to history, while our tiny people can still stand and sing Am Yisrael Chai. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  In Rabbi Sacks' A Letter in the Scroll, he talks about the seminal moment in his life when he most deeply understood Jewish peoplehood and unity. And that was 1967, the Six Day War, when the Jewish people, of course, witnessed the State of Israel on the brink of existential threat. To our AJC audience, this may ring particularly familiar because it was evoked in a piece by Mijal Bitton, herself a Sacks Scholar, a guest on our podcast, a guest Tanya on your podcast, who wrote a piece about a month after 10/7 titled "That Pain You're Feeling is Peoplehood'.  And that piece went viral in the Jewish world. And she draws this parallel between the moment that Rabbi Sacks highlights in 1967 and 10, seven, I should note, Tanya, of course, is referenced in that article that Mijal wrote. For our audiences, help us understand the centrality of peoplehood and unity to Rabbi Sacks' vision of Judaism. And as we now approach a year and a half past 10/7 and have seen the resurgence of certain communal fractures, what moral clarity can we take from Rabbi Sacks in this moment? Tanya White:  Okay, so it's interesting you talked about Mijal, because I remember straight after 7/10 we were in constant conversation–how it was impacting us, each of us in our own arenas, in different ways. And one of the things I said to her, which I found really comforting, was her constant ability to be in touch. And I think like this, you know, I like to call it after the name of a book that I read to my kid, The Invisible String. This idea that there are these invisible strings. In the book, the mother tells the child that all the people we love have invisible strings that connect us. And when we pull on the string, they feel it the other side.  1967 was the moment Rabbi Sacks felt that invisible pull on the string. They have a very similar trajectory. The seventh of October was the moment in which many, many Jews, who were perhaps disengaged, maybe a little bit ambivalent about their Jewish identity, they felt the tug of that invisible string. And then the question is, what do we do in order to maintain that connection? And I think for Rabbi Sacks, that was really the question. He speaks about 1967 being the moment in which he says, I realized at that moment every, you know, in Cambridge, and everything was about choice. And, you know, 1960s philosophy and enlightenment philosophy says, at that moment, I realized I hadn't chosen Judaism. Judaism had chosen me.  And from that moment forth, Rabbi Sacks feels as if he had been chosen. Judaism had chosen him for a reason. He was a Jew for a reason. And I think today, many, many Jews are coming back to that question. What does it mean that I felt that pull of the string on the seventh of October?  Rabbi Sacks' answer to that question of, where do we go from here? I think very simply, would be to go back to the analogy. You need to work out why Judaism is a diamond. And once you understand why Judaism is a diamond and isn't a burden to carry on my back, everything else will fall into place.  Because you will want to advocate for that particularity and what that particularity brings to the world. In his book, Future Tense, which, again, was a book about antisemitism, there was a picture of a lighthouse at the front of the book. That's how Rabbi Sacks saw the antidote for antisemitism, right? Is that we need to be the lighthouse. Because that's our role, globally, to be able to be the light that directs the rest of the world when they don't know where they're going. And we are living in a time of dizziness at the moment, on every level, morally, sociologically, psychologically, people are dizzy. And Judaism has, and I believe this is exactly what Rabbi Sacks advocated for, Judaism has a way to take us out of that maze that we found ourselves in. And so I think today, more than ever, in response to you, yes, it is peoplehood that we feel. And then the question is, how do we take that feeling of peoplehood and use it towards really building what we need to do in this world. The advocacy that Judaism needs to bring into the world. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  We all have a role, a reason, a purpose. When Rabbi Sacks spoke to us a decade ago, more than a decade ago, at this point, those who were in the room felt the moral imperative to stand up to advocate and why, as Jews, we had that unique role.  I am so honored that today, now with Rabbi Sacks not here, you continue to give us that inspiration of why we are a letter in the scroll, why we must stand up and advocate. So thank you, Tanya and Joanna, for joining us at Global Forum and for this enlightening conversation. Tanya White:  Thank you so much for having us. Thank you. Joanna Benarroch:  Thank you so much.  Manya Brachear Pashman: If you missed last week's episode, please be sure to listen as two AJC colleagues pay tribute to their friends Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky who were brutally murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May.   

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2020. To read and download the written essay, and all translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/behaalotecha/loneliness-and-faith/. This week we are featuring the written essay entitled 'Is a Leader a Nursing Father?' written by Rabbi sacks in 2012. Find it here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/behaalotecha/is-a-leader-a-nursing-father/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available in English, French and Turkish: hhttps://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversa…e-with-the-world/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2015. To read and download the written essay, and all translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/naso/the-courage-to-engage-with-the-world/ or to follow along with the audio here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/naso/sages-and-saints/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: hhttps://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/naso/the-courage-to-engage-with-the-world/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2017. To read and download the written essay, and all translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bamidbar/the-ever-repeated-story/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/bamidbar/the-ever-repeated-story/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2015, as part of the Ethics series. To read and download the written essay, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/behar/the-economics-of-liberty/ This week we are also featuring an essay from Rabbi Sacks on Behar-Bechukotai entitled The Limits of the Free Market. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/behar/the-limits-of-the-free-market/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/behar/the-limits-of-the-free-market/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2016, as part of the Spirituality series. To read and download the written essay, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/emor/holy-times/ This week we are also featuring an essay from Rabbi Sacks on Emor entitled Eternity and Mortality. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/emor/eternity-and-mortality/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/emor/eternity-and-mortality/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. This audio from Rabbi Sacks was recorded in 2018. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/acharei-mot/love-not-enough/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/acharei-mot/love-is-not-enough/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

19 years ago Rabbi Sacks delivered this Yom HaZikaron-Yom Ha'atzmaut address. He spoke, as was his annual tradition as Chief Rabbi, at the Bnei Akiva ceremony in May 2006, at Finchley Synagogue (Kinloss). These words, 19 years later, could almost have been freshly written for today. His message is timeless, and timely. Find more content like this on our Israel page: https://rabbisacks.org/israel/

The Sacrifices of Childbirth (Rabbi Sacks on Tazria-Metzora) by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Welcome to the Covenant & Conversation series, Rabbi Sacks' commentary pieces on the weekly Torah portion, exploring ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2020. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shemini/limits/ You can also find Rabbi Sacks' written article on Parshat Shemini now shared for 5785 available to read, print, and share in multiple translations. https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shemini/food-for-thought/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/shemini/food-for-thought/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

In these insanely difficult times, with mobs of evil Islamists and Western Jew Hating Leftists marching in the streets of Europe and North America on a daily basis, the Jewish people come once more to Pesach, the ritual remembrance of our escape from bondage in Egypt under the Pharaohs.There are still Israeli and American hostages held in the cesspool of Gaza by the evil #Fakestinians, who are so demonic they not only strangled two little children to death in front of their mother, but also kept their bodies as bargaining chips and shields for more than a year. Beyond the misery and anger at our external enemies, Jews also grapple with a bizarre phenomenon - that of self-hating Western liberal Jews who side with the Islamists who want to kill us all. It has proven true time and again, that when I look for guidance to the departed Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory, he has unfailingly already written deeply and carefully about the issue I am wrestling with.Ahead of Pesach, I read Rabbi Sacks's essay, "The Ambivalent Jew."Am Israel Chai, Good Pesach and Shabbat Sholom.Confusion and death to our enemies.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2018. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/tzav/giving-thanks/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Tzav available to read, print, and share in multiple translations. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/tzav/the-thanksgiving-offering/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2015. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayikra/why-do-we-sacrifice/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Vayikra available to read, print, and share in multiple translations. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayikra/why-do-we-sacrifice/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 29 minutes 25 secondsSynopsis: AND WE'RE BACK! This episode is brought to you by the letter "I"—for insomnia. In a spontaneous decision to return to my old practice, I turned a sleepless night into a new installment of TSJ. If you're looking to up your gratitude game, this one's for you. We start with a recap of my gratitude journal practice, explore an idea in Modim and the Jewish approach to gratitude, then dive into an excerpt from a Seneca letter, using it as a springboard to discuss Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's understanding of Pesach storytelling—and how all of this ties into one of the key benefits of meditation. As always, if you have feedback, I'd love to hear it!Sources- Abudarham - Commentary on Modim- Rambam: Mishneh Torah, Sefer Ahavah: Hilchos Tefilah u'Birkas Kohanim 7:14; Hilchos Berachos 1:1-4- Seneca: Letter #13- Pesachim 10:4- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: The Jonathan Sacks Haggada - Collected Essays on Pesach, Begin with Shame, End with PraiseOther Resources Mentioned- Rabbi Dr. Elie Feder, "Gematria Refigured: A New Look At How The Torah Conveys Ideas Through Numbers"- Sam Harris: the "Waking Up" app-----The Torah content from now until Erev Pesach has been sponsored by Yehudis Korn l'zecher nishmas Moshe ben Yeshayahu Yehuda.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharelSupport the show

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2017. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayakhel/encampments-journeys/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Pekudei available to read, print, and share in multiple translations. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/pekudei/encampments-journeys/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2015. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayakhel/the-spirit-of-community/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Vayakhel from 2012, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayakhel/mirrors-of-love/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayakhel/mirrors-of-love/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Today, we're doing something a little different.Most of our episodes feature incredible role models—people who are navigating the balance between Torah and work with strength and clarity. But today, we're going back in time to talk about someone who is no longer with us. Someone who lived over a century ago, yet whose story feels just as relevant today as it did then.This is the story of the baal habayis who shocked the Netziv.Now, focusing on a historical figure isn't a new concept for Shtark Tank. In fact, if you haven't yet listened to ourincredible series on the legacy of Rabbi Sacks, I highly recommend it. But today's episode is unique for another reason.For the first time, this is not an interview. There's no back-and-forth discussion. It's just me, sharing a story that had adeep impact on my own life. This story comes from the fourth volume of Makor Baruch, the historical memoir written by Rav Baruch Epstein, the esteemed author of Torah Temimah, Tosefes Bracha, Baruch She'amar, and many other sefarim.Makor Baruch was written toward the end of his life, and the fourth volume, in particular, is devoted to his illustrious uncle—the Netziv, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin.Through its pages, we get a rare, intimate look at the Netziv's wisdom, his middos, and his unwavering commitment toTorah and his talmidim.Some sections of this work were later translated into English under the title My Uncle, the Netziv, a book that generated its fair share of controversy. Discussions about secular studies in Volozhin, women learning Gemara, evenreading newspapers on Shabbos—these topics sparked plenty of debate. But that's not what we're here to talk abouttoday.Today, we're telling the story of one of the Netziv's top talmidim—a young man who, left Yeshiva to become a baal habayis.You will hear about the Netzivs advice for staying shtark in the workforce, how this talmid followed that advice, and ameleve malka that turned wild.Join Our Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. You will also get the chance to submit questions for the show itself. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional Content is also available at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠shtarktank.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2017. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/ki-tissa/the-sabbath-first-day-or-last/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Ki Tissa from 2012, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/ki-tissa/the-birth-of-a-new-freedom/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/ki-tissa/the-birth-of-a-new-freedom/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2020. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/tetzaveh/dressing-to-impress/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Tetzaveh from 2012 on a similar theme, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/tetzaveh/the-aesthetic-in-judaism/ (Multiple translations of the essay are also available here.) For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/tetzaveh/the-aesthetic-in-judaism/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2017. To read and download the written essay and find all the translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/terumah/the-architecture-of-holiness/ For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/terumah/the-architecture-of-holiness/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2018. To read and download the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/mishpatim/the-power-of-empathy/ You can also find our written article on Parshat Mishpatim from 2012, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/mishpatim/the-slow-end-of-slavery/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/mishpatim/the-slow-end-of-slavery/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

True kindness isn't just about giving—it's about giving without taking away dignity. In this powerful and thought-provoking shiur, Rabbi Dunner explores the Torah's approach to tzedakah, revealing why an interest-free loan is the highest form of charity. With insights from Rabbi Sacks, Chassidic masters, and Mussar giants, this shiur will change the way you think about generosity, power, and responsibility.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2019. For the written essay and translations, click here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/yitro/mount-sinai-and-the-birth-of-freedom/ You can find our written article on Parshat Yitro from 2012, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/yitro/the-custom-that-refused-to-die/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/yitro/the-custom-that-refused-to-die/ ----- For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Listen to this audio recording from Rabbi Sacks in 2017. For the written essay and translations, click here: www.rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/beshallach/the-divided-sea/ You can find our written article on Parshat Beshallach from 2013, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/beshallach/music-language-of-the-soul/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/beshallach/music-language-of-the-soul/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

How did the Israelites win over their former masters? Is such a thing even possible? It seems so. Take five minutes to study a fabulous answer to this question proffered by Rabbi Sacks in his commentary to the Chumash.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the written article on Parshat Bo, available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bo/the-necessity-of-asking-questions/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/bo/the-necessity-of-asking-questions/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2013, and he recorded the audio in 2017. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jewish ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the full written article on Shemot available to read, print, and share, by visiting: rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversa…/shemot/who-am-i/ Translations in Hebrew, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Turkish, Persian and Russian are also available. A new accompanying FAMILY EDITION is now also available: rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversa…/shemot/who-am-i/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jewish ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the full written article on Shemot available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/shemot/who-am-i/ Translations in Hebrew, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Turkish, Persian and Russian are also available. A new accompanying FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/shemot/who-am-i/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jewish ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the full written article on Vayechi available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayechi/when-can-we-lie/ This week we are also sharing the Vayechi essay by Rabbi Sacks entitled The Last Tears, and available here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayechi/the-last-tears/ A new accompanying FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayechi/the-last-tears/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written and recorded by Rabbi Sacks in 2015. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jewish ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the full written article on Vayigash available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayigash/first-psychotherapist/ This week we are also sharing the Vayigash essay by Rabbi Sacks entitled Three Steps for Mankind, and available here: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayigash/three-steps-for-mankind/ A new accompanying FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayigash/three-steps-for-mankind/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written and recorded by Rabbi Sacks in 2017. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Join host Dr. Tanya White as she delves into Rabbi Sacks' groundbreaking works and their relevance to today's pressing global and Jewish conversations. Launching January 2025 on all major podcast platforms. https://rabbisacks.org/books-and-beyond-podcast/ You can also sign up here to be notified as soon as Episode One drops: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBKfvEAgALKPo_seZuILImKjbeupfq2yVrc6uGs2YmaGifAg/viewform Or follow on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/books-beyond-the-rabbi-sacks-podcast-with-dr-tanya-white/id1788047629

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jewish ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find both the video and the full written article on Vayeshev available to watch, read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayeshev/what-is-the-theme-of-the-stories-of-genesis/ A new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayeshev/what-is-the-theme-of-the-stories-of-genesis/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written and recorded by Rabbi Sacks in 2010. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, exploring new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the written article on Vayishlach available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayishlach/the-jewish-journey/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayishlach/the-jewish-journey/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2014. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Although there is no audio available for the essay we are sharing with our readers this week, here is a recording from the archives, accompanying this essay: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayetse/laban-the-aramean/ You can find the written article on Vayetse that expands upon these ideas available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayetse/the-birth-of-the-worlds-oldest-hate/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayetse/the-birth-of-the-worlds-oldest-hate/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2014. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

⁠What would Rabbi Sacks say? Here is second part of the two-part series, "Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks", in which Shtark Tank explores the timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Part 2 of the Rabbi Sacks series discusses: * Money and Happiness * Balancing Work and Family * Tzedaka * Hope During Difficult Times Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. In honor of his yahrtzeit, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centred life with career ambitions. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:50) Money and Happiness (21:40) Work and Family (31:07) Tzedaka (39:50) Messages of Hope You will hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world. You will also listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Resources Mentioned: - www.RabbiSacks.org (A treasure trove of content, including writings, audio, and video, carefully curated for easy access.) - Facing the Future Without Fear, Together (TedTalk from Rabbi Sacks in 2017) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/facing-the-future-without-fear-together-ted-talk-at-ted2017/ - Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times (A keynote address at the Legatum Institute in 2020) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/restoring-the-common-good-in-divided-times/ - Happiness in the Jewish Perspective (Lecture at Emory University in 2010) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/happiness-in-the-jewish-perspective/ - The Birth of Hope (2019 Covenant and Conversation piece on parashat Bechukotai) https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bechukotai/the-birth-of-hope/ - Agents of Hope (2003 BBC programme made with Rabbi Sacks) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/bbc-rosh-hashanah-programme-2003/ Guest Bios: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"L Renowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles Gade Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks is a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book Join the Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, check out their Quiet WhatsApp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. Join the WhatsApp group using this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Although there is no audio available for the essay we are sharing with our readers this week, here is a recording from the archives, accompanying this essay: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/toldot/jacob-right-take-esaus-blessing/. You can find the written article on Toldot that expands upon these ideas available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/toldot/the-tragedy-of-good-intentions/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/toldot/the-tragedy-of-good-intentions/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2014. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Parshas Chayei Sarah: Land and Children  The Parsha Perspective is in honor of Eretz Yisroel.  May G-d protect our brave soldiers.  May G-d return all the hostages in Gaza immediately.      The Parsha Perspective is in loving memory of Edward Ben Efraim, Shlomo Ben Edward, and Yirachmiel Daniel Ben Gedalia. May their souls be uplifted and their memories a blessing.  This week's Parsha Perspective is dedicated in honor of the Yahrzeit of HaRav Ya'akov Tzvi Ben Dovid Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory. Serving as the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, he authored 25 books that resonated globally. His profound wisdom, combined with empathy and compassion, established him as a guiding light on the world stage. Rabbi Sacks returned his holy soul on the 20th of Cheshvan in 2020, yet his teachings continue to inspire and guide countless people worldwide. May his enduring legacy be a source of blessing for generations to come. Click here to listen, watch and connect! Parshaperspective.com Our Parsha begins with the passing of Sarah at 127 years old. Avraham mourned deeply for her and then negotiated with Ephron to purchase a burial plot in Chevron.  The land, known as Mearas HaMachpelah, was acquired for 400 shekels and would serve as a family burial site for future generations. After mourning for Sarah, Avraham turned his attention to findingfinding a wife for his son Yitzchak. He sent his most trusted servant, Eliezer, on a mission to find a suitable match. We find out how was Avraham was blessed.  We learn how God's words come to be. 

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Although there is no audio available for the essay we are sharing with our readers this week, here is a recording from the archives, https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/chayei-sarah/beginning-the-journey/. You can find the written article on Chayei Sarah that expands upon these ideas available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/chayei-sarah/the-next-chapter/. Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/chayei-sarah/the-next-chapter/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2013. This was also the first Covenant & Conversation piece we shared after the untimely passing of Rabbi Sacks zt"l, so it is fitting that this week, 4 years since that week, we learn it again in his memory. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

What would Rabbi Sacks say? In this two-part series, 'Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks', Shtark Tank explores timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time - religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. As his yahrzeit approaches, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centred life with career ambitions. In this episode: Discover how Rabbi Sacks's wisdom on this very topic is at the heart of one of his most popular books. Hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world.Listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Guest Bios: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l Renowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles Gade Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks Alan Sacks is the youngest bother of Rabbi Sacks and a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica Brown Dr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book 'Morning Has Broken: Faith After October 7th' in paperback from December (https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Has-Broken-Faith-October/dp/1592646832).

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. Although there is no audio available for the essay we are sharing with our readers this week, here is a recording from the archives, https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayera/the-miracle-of-a-child/. You can find the written article on Vayera that expands upon these ideas available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/vayera/walking-together/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/vayera/walking-together/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2008, and the audio was recorded in 2016. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

Welcome to Covenant & Conversation essays, Rabbi Sacks' commentary on the weekly Torah portion, explores new ideas and sharing inspiration from the Torah readings of the week. You can find the full written article on Noach available to read, print, and share, by visiting: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/noach/individual-and-collective-responsibility/ Multiple translations of the essay are also available here. For intergenerational discussion on the weekly Parsha and Haftara, a new FAMILY EDITION is now also available: https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation-family-edition/noach/individual-and-collective-responsibility/ For more articles, videos, and other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.RabbiSacks.org and follow @RabbiSacks. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to share weekly inspiration from Rabbi Sacks. This piece was originally written by Rabbi Sacks in 2011, and the audio version was recorded in 2017. With thanks to the Schimmel Family for their generous sponsorship of Covenant & Conversation, dedicated in loving memory of Harry (Chaim) Schimmel.

In September 2012, Rabbi Sacks delivered a Selichot address at the service in Hampstead Synagogue. Have you ever wondered what Professor Ludwig Guttmann (the founder of the Paralympic Games), Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have in common? Watch this inspirational address to learn how Rabbi Sacks linked these together to discuss the the essence of living and acting as a Jew.   View video footage and read the transcript here: https://rabbisacks.org/videos/midnight-selichot-address-5772-to-live-and-act-as-a-jew/

On 21st September 2019, Rabbi Sacks delivered the Midnight Selichot address at the service in Hampstead Synagogue. Listen to his inspiring sermon on how to forgive. View video footage and read the transcript here: https://rabbisacks.org/videos/an-unforgiving-age-watch-rabbi-sacks-pre-selichot-address/

On 12th September 2009, Rabbi Sacks delivered the Midnight Selichot address at the service in Hampstead Synagogue. Listen to his inspiring sermon on how to create self-change, how to respond to crisis, and how to forgive. With thanks to Philip Baigel for providing the recording of this sermon. View video footage and read the transcript here: https://rabbisacks.org/videos/how-to-evolve/

In 2014 Rabbi Sacks recorded six thoughts for Ellul, providing wisdom and guidance as he reflected on the year gone by, and the new year soon to begin. In this final message of the 'Thoughts for Ellul' mini-series, Rabbi Sacks discusses Professor Reuven Feuerstein, and draws a parallel between his highly-esteemed work as a child psychologist and our relationship with God. Recorded ten years ago, this remains a timeless message for us all, particularly as we may wish to reflect on our spirituality as Rosh Hashanah draws ever closer. Find the full recordings here: rabbisacks.org/archive/thoughts-for-ellul/

In 2014 Rabbi Sacks recorded six thoughts for Ellul, providing wisdom and guidance as he reflected on the year gone by, and the new year soon to begin. In his fifth message, Rabbi Sacks reflects on the origins of forgiveness in the Bible, and what that means for us today. Find the full recordings here: rabbisacks.org/archive/thoughts-for-ellul/

In 2014 Rabbi Sacks recorded six thoughts for Ellul, providing wisdom and guidance as he reflected on the year gone by, and the new year soon to begin. In this fourth message ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Sacks begins with a story about assimilation, which becomes a moving comment on how we connect to God, and when He hears our cry. Find the full recordings here: rabbisacks.org/archive/thoughts-for-ellul/