Lech lecha, Sacks

Rabbi Sacks

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - My Favourite Teachings

Dr Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, lectures in his first Reith Lecture on the 'The Persistence of Faith'. Explaining how he believes that the moral framework provided by religion is still the best alternative to the personalised, free-market ethics which prevail today.

In this lecture entitled 'The Environment of Faith', Dr Jonathan Sacks considers the state of Britain's religions. He asks; have modern cultures forgotten their faith forever?

Reith Lectures Archive: 1976-2010

The Environment of Faith - BBC Reith Lectures 1990: The Persistence of Faith - Lecture 1

What are the key principles to helping lead a life of true happiness? Rabbi Sacks delivers a talk on the subject at Yeshiva University on 28th January, 2014 where he is serving as the Kressel and Ephrat Family University Professor of Jewish Thought.

"The 7 Principles to Inner Happiness" - Rabbi Sacks at Yeshiva University


In late November 2013, as part of the Jewish Agency’s Assembly in Jerusalem, Makom hosted a fascinating conversation between Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, and historian and writer Professor Fania Oz-Salzberger.

Introduced and moderated by Yonatan Ariel, Executive Director of Makom, the event turned out to be a highly-enjoyable and interesting conversation between two very different intellectuals – one orthodox, one secular; one male, one female; one British, one Israeli.

A Salon Conversation between Rabbi Sacks & Prof. Oz-Salzberger

On Monday 17th October 2014, Rabbi Sacks attended an International Colloquium on “The Complementarity of Man and Woman” convened by The Vatican under the auspices of Pope Francis (more details at http://humanum.it/en/). Following Pope Francis who opened the colloquium and addressed the delegates, Rabbi Sacks delivered one of the keynote presentations in front of an audience of faith leaders and scholars from across religions and 23 countries around the world. In his speech, Rabbi Sacks spoke in support of the institution of marriage and “the most beautiful idea in the history of civilisation: the idea of the love that brings new life into the world.” 

The Love That Brings New Life Into The World - Rabbi Sacks' Speech In The Vatican

Lech Lecha. Truly Abraham became the father of many nations. But who and what was Abraham? Why was he chosen for this exemplary role? 

Covenant and Conversation 5777 on Spirituality is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l. To join Rabbi Sacks’ mailing list, please subscribe via www.rabbisacks.org. You can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RabbiSacks.

On Being a Jewish Parent (Lech Lecha, Covenant & Conversation 5777)

Listen to a Sukkot shiur by Rabbi Sacks to discover what it is about the book of Kohelet that makes it such a relevant text for today's society.

Lessons From Kohelet - A Sukkot Shiur By Rabbi Sacks

What is Judaism? A religion? A faith? A way of life? A set of beliefs? A collection of commands? A culture? A civilisation? It is all these, but it is emphatically something more. It is a way of thinking, a constellation of ideas: a way of understanding the world and our place within it. Judaism contains life-changing ideas. 

Each week as part of his Covenant & Conversation series for 5778, Rabbi Sacks will explore a single life-changing idea in the Hebrew Bible. You can download a written version of his commentary from www.RabbiSacks.org.

Covenant and Conversation 5778 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Inner-Directedness | Lech Lecha, Covenant & Conversation 5778

I am delighted to share with you the newest cycle of Covenant & Conversation essays on the weekly parsha (Torah reading). I am particularly excited to introduce a Family Edition accompaniment to this year's series which has two main aims. First, to present the ideas in Covenant & Conversation in a simplified way, making my ideas more accessible to children and teenagers. Second, to act as an educational resource for parents, teachers and anyone else to engage their children and students in meaningful and stimulating conversations about the parsha. You can download a transcript of this podcast as well as the Family Edition from www.RabbiSacks.org. Covenant and Conversation 5779 is kindly supported by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation in memory of Maurice and Vivienne Wohl z”l.

Four Dimensions of the Journey (Lech Lecha 5779)

Here is the audio recording of Rabbi Sacks' Covenant & Conversation commentary essay on the Torah portion of Lech Lecha 5780.

You can download a PDF of this commentary, as well as an accompanying Family Edition, from rabbisacks.org/a-palace-in-flames-lech-lecha-5780/.

Covenant & Conversation is kindly sponsored by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation.

A Palace in Flames (Lech Lecha 5780)

Here is the audio recording of Rabbi Sacks' Covenant & Conversation commentary essay on the Torah portion of Vayigash 5780.

You can download a PDF of this commentary, as well as an accompanying Family Edition, from rabbisacks.org/vayigash-5780/

Covenant & Conversation is kindly sponsored by the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation.

The Future of the Past (Vayigash 5780)

Covenant & Conversation is Rabbi Sacks' weekly commentary on the Torah portion. All his Covenant & Conversation essays for 5781 are themed around the concept of Leadership and what lessons the Torah can teach us about it. 

You can download the essays from the website for free. For more articles, videos & other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.rabbisacks.org or follow @RabbiSacks.

Bereishit 5781 - Taking Responsibility (Covenant & Conversation)

Covenant & Conversation is Rabbi Sacks' weekly commentary on the Torah portion. All his Covenant & Conversation essays for 5781 are themed around the concept of Leadership and the lessons we can learn from the leaders in the Torah.

“Lessons in Leadership” was originally written and recorded in 5774 (2014).

You can also download the full weekly essays from the website for free. For more articles, videos & other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.rabbisacks.org or follow @RabbiSacks.

Noach 5781- Righteousness Is Not Leadership

Covenant & Conversation is Rabbi Sacks' weekly commentary on the Torah portion. All his Covenant & Conversation pieces for 5781 are themed around the concept of Leadership and the lessons we can learn from the leaders in the Torah.

“Lessons in Leadership” was originally written and recorded in 5774 (2014).

You can also download the full weekly essays from the website for free. For more articles, videos & other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.rabbisacks.org or follow @RabbiSacks.

Lech Lecha 5781 - The Courage not to Conform

Covenant & Conversation is Rabbi Sacks' weekly commentary on the Torah portion. All his Covenant & Conversation pieces for 5781 are themed around the concept of Leadership and the lessons we can learn from the leaders in the Torah.

“Lessons in Leadership” was originally written and recorded in 5774 (2013-2014).

You can also download the full weekly essays from the website for free. For more articles, videos & other material from Rabbi Sacks, please visit www.rabbisacks.org or follow @RabbiSacks.

Covenant & Conversation 5781: Lessons in Leadership

Vayera 5781 - Answering the Call

Follow the audio shiurim, lectures and speeches of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, global religious leader, philosopher, author of over 30 books and moral voice for our time. Rabbi Sacks served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth between September 1991 and September 2013. A full biography - together with an extensive online archive of Rabbi Sacks' work - is available at www.rabbisacks.org or you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @rabbisacks.

Lech Lecha 5781 - The Courage not to Conform

The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust