Jonathan Sacks Libros

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth in the United Kingdom offers a refreshing and insightful commentary to the Koren Haggada, together with illuminating essays on the themes and motifs of the Festival of Freedom. Sensitively translated, the traditional texts are carefully balanced alongside the Chief Rabbi's contemporary ideas, in a modern and user-friendly design. With new interpretations and in-depth analyses of the Passover liturgy and ritual, Rabbi Sacks' style is engaging, intelligent at times daring in its innovation and always inspiring. With essay titles as diverse as Pesah, Freud and Jewish Identity and Pesah and the Rebirth of Israel, as well as explorations of the role of women in the exodus, and the philosophy of leadership and nation-building, the Chief Rabbi's Haggada is a thought-provoking and essential companion at the Seder table.

Exploring themes of freedom, love, responsibility, identity, and destiny, this first volume of a five-part commentary series delves into the intersections of Jewish tradition and universal concerns. Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks combines insights from Western philosophy and literature to offer a profound understanding of the human experience under divine sovereignty. Through his erudite and eloquent writing, readers engage with a sophisticated dialogue between life and Torah, enriching their spiritual and intellectual perspectives.

The prayer book features a unique alignment of Hebrew and English texts, enhancing the understanding of Yom Kippur prayers. With insightful commentary by Sacks, it emphasizes key words and differentiates between poetic and prose elements, all presented in elegant fonts. This approach aims to uncover the deeper meanings behind the prayers, making it a valuable resource for those observing the holy day.

The Koren Sacks Rosh HaShana Mahzor combines Koren's sophisticated graphic design with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' insightful translation, introduction, and commentary. This elegant prayer book provides a profound and meaningful experience for the Jewish New Year, appealing to both traditional and contemporary readers seeking inspiration and connection during this significant time.

In this second volume of a five-part collection, the author delves into the intersections of "parashat hashavua" commentaries, addressing universal themes such as freedom, love, responsibility, identity, and destiny. Through insightful exploration, the work connects traditional texts to contemporary issues, inviting readers to reflect on their relevance in today's world.

Despite predictions of continuing secularisation, the twenty-first century has witnessed a surge of religious extremism and violence in the name of God. In this powerful and timely book, Jonathan Sacks explores the roots of violence and its relationship to religion, focusing on the historic tensions between the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Drawing on arguments from evolutionary psychology, game theory, history, philosophy, ethics and theology, Sacks shows how a tendency to violence can subvert even the most compassionate of religions. Through a close reading of key biblical texts at the heart of the Abrahamic faiths, Sacks then challenges those who claim that religion is intrinsically a cause of violence, and argues that theology must become part of the solution if it is not to remain at the heart of the problem. This book is a rebuke to all those who kill in the name of the God of life, wage war in the name of the God of peace, hate in the name of the God of love, and practise cruelty in the name of the God of compassion. For the sake of humanity and the free world, the time has come for people of all faiths and none to stand together and declare: Not In God's Name.

The Chief Rabbi propounds his views on the ethics of responsibility - believing that in this area the Jewish religion has much to contribute to the modern world, a world in urgent need of peace and reconciliation

Set against the backdrop of the summer of 2020, the narrative explores the profound interconnectedness of individuals during challenging times. It delves into themes of community, resilience, and the essential support systems that emerge when faced with adversity. The story highlights personal and collective experiences that reveal the importance of solidarity and understanding in navigating a crisis, ultimately emphasizing our shared humanity.

The Jewish People in its very being constitutes a living protest against a world of hatred, violence and war. Radical Then, Radical Now is a powerful testimony to the amazing resilience of the Jewish people who have, through their endurance of four thousand years of persecution and exile, earned a unique place in history. Without land or power, they created an identity for themselves through their shared dreams of freedom, justice, dignity and human rights. Yet far more than Jewish history is contained within the pages of this book. Jonathan Sacks reminds us all of the legacy of those dreams and of our responsibility to our fellow man. He challenges us to build a better world.