יום שישי, ג׳ אב תשפ״וFriday, July 17, 2026
Follow Us
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is not a religion of blind obedience. Astonishingly of 613 commandments, there is no Hebrew word that means “to obey.” Judaism is the rarest of phenomena: a faith based on asking questions,
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Pesach represents the start of the great journey of Jewish history – from slavery to freedom, Egypt to the Promised Land.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When Moses asks, “Who am I?” He feels himself unworthy and uninvolved. He may have been Jewish by birth, but he had not suffered the fate of his people. How, then, could he become their leader?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Only a civilization based on forgiveness can construct a future that is not an endless repetition of the past. That, surely, is why Judaism is the only civilization whose golden age is in the future.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jacob, Leah, Tamar and Joseph discover that, though they may never win the affection they desire, G-d is with them and that, ultimately, is enough. A disguise hides one from others, but not from G-d
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
he first 11 chapters of Genesis teach us many fundamentals of faith; Exodus to Deuteronomy is about revelation and redemption. But what are Genesis 12-50 about?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jacob is someone with whom we can identify and understand. We can feel his fear, understand his pain at the tensions in his family, and sympathize with his longing for a life of quietude and peace
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Laban’s behavior is the paradigm of anti-Semites through the ages. It was not so much what Laban did that the Haggadah is referring to, but what his behavior gave rise to, in century after century.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Neither Abraham nor Sarah had an easy life. They faced trials testing their faith, yet Rashi says Sarah’s years were equal in goodness and the Torah says Abraham had been blessed with everything-Why?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Why the binding? Why put Abraham and Sarah through the agony of thinking that the son for whom they have waited for so long is about to die? We cherish what we wait for and what we most risk losing.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The most influential man who ever lived, does not appear on any list I have seen of the hundred most influential men in history. He ruled no empire, commanded no army, His name, of course, is Abraham
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sukkot is the most universalistic of all festivals. At the same time, however, it is the most particularist of festivals. When we sit in the sukkah, we recall Jewish history
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The heart of Sukkot is to know that life is full of risk and yet to affirm it, to sense the full insecurity of the human situation and yet to rejoice in it. Chag Sameach!
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The last two commands of the Torah, mentioned in this week's parsha-Hakhel and the command to write, or at take part in writing, a Sefer Torah-are about renewal, first collective, then individual.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
We are what we remember, and the first-fruits declaration was a way of ensuring that Jews would never forget.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The opening three laws of this parsha- a captive woman taken in war, the law about the rights of the firstborn, and the “stubborn and rebellious son” – are all about dysfunctions within the family.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is a religion of compassion, for without compassion law itself can generate inequity. Justice plus compassion equals tzedek, the first precondition of a decent society.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Judaism, joy is the supreme religious emotion. Moses says again and again that joy is what we should feel in the land of Israel, the land given to us by God.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There is something profoundly spiritual about listening-shema. It is the most effective form of conflict resolution I know.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Most people talk about what. Some people talk about how. Great leaders, though, start with why. This is what makes them transformative.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There is something moving about seeing Moses, at almost 120, looking forward as well as back, sharing his wisdom with the young, teaching us that while the body may age, the spirit can stay young
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Pagan prophets like Bilam had not yet learned the lesson we must all one day learn: What matters is not that God does what we want, but that we do what He wants.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
If you seek to understand an accusation, look at the accuser, not the accused. That is the key to the Korach affair and to understanding anti-Semitism.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Despite the Divine anger, the people were not condemned to permanent exile. They simply had to face the fact that their children would achieve what they themselves were not ready for.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
According to Maimonides there is not one model of the virtuous life, but two. He calls them, respectively, the way of the saint (chassid) and the sage (chacham).
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Without belief in the covenant, there would be no State of Israel or any significant Jewish history after the Holocaust. Jews kept hope alive; Hope kept the Jewish people alive.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What is the difference between philosophy and the political vision at the heart of Tanach? The answer lies in their different understandings of time.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In a way not shared by any other festival, Sukkot celebrates the dual nature of Jewish faith: the universality of G-d and the particularity of Jewish existence.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
As Jews became defined by religion, Christians could work to convert them--You can change your religion but you cannot change your race
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Social media brought about a return to an ancient phenomenon, public shaming providing us a way of understanding the otherwise bewildering phenomenon of tsara’at,
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The sedrah of Tazria begins with the law of circumcision Why this physical mark on the flesh? What does it tell us about the nature of Jewish identity?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What is the logic of kashrut? And why are they placed here in parshat Shemini? AND what is their connection with the sanctuary?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What was sacrifice in Judaism and why does it remain important, at least as an idea, even today?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Like our bodies, our souls were not made for sitting still. We were made for moving, learning, searching, striving, growing
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
For G-d, the Sabbath was the last day of the week; for human beings, it was the first.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The paradox of Jewish spirituality: No religion holds God higher, but none feels Him closer
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The only way to understand life is by living itL "Na’aseh venishma//We will do and we will obey.”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Moses prepares the Israelites for freedom by discussing-children, several times in the parsha
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
God is found in this world, not just the next. To grow spiritually, first satisfy material needs.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jewish history isn't just Jews enduring catastrophes but renewing themselves after every disaster
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
HaShem wanted the Israelites to become a living testimony to the power of freedom.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Joseph reframed his entire past, now understanding himself charged with a life-saving mission by God
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
t was not Joseph but Judah who conferred his identity on the people; Judah who became the ancestor of Israel’s greatest king, David; Judah from whom the messiah will be born. Why Judah and not Joseph? The answer undoubtedly lies in the beginning of Parshat Vayigash,
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Tamar realizes Judah has no intention of giving her his last son. Now trapped-an agunah-she acts
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
“Jacob was very afraid and distressed.” His fear was physical-fear of death. His distress was moral.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
It's not difficult understanding why Rebecca loved Jacob, the real question's why Isaac loved Esau?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah is neither a book of history nor science, it is, first and last, a book about how to live.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sukkot's the only festival sharing the pilgrimage cycle & part of Tishrei sequence-hence, double JOY
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
“We received Torah from Moses” or “from our parents” isn't enough. We must write our "own" scroll
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Happiness is not the central value of the Torah. Occurring ten times more is the word "simcha," JOY
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
If we parents fail to honor responsibilities then society’s children will pay the price for our sins
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Moshe wasn't the last of the prophets. How would Israel discern his true successors from the false?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Three moments, sharing the same message, made a deep impression on me: Greatness is humility.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Amongst the greatest disagreements in Judaism is the understanding of the 1st of the 10 Commandments
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
"When a king dies his power ends; when a prophet dies his influence begins" & their words echo today
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sharing influence is like lighting a candle with another: it doesn't mean having less; you have more
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
All agree that Jews ARE different. How? Why? The Bible's answer is surprising and profound.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Of Chukkim “Satan and the nations of the world made fun.” They may appear irrational & superstitious
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Heaven answered Moshe dramatically. He was proved right. End of revolt. End of story- Not at all...
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There's no obligation TO wear tzitzit; opting to wear them symbolizes free acceptance of the mitzvot
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sadly, we're no longer an edah; We've fissured and fractured: Orthodox & Reform; religious & secular
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
This week's parshah inspired the Jubilee 2000 initiative leading to debt cancellation of $34 biilion
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Rambam: Eating blood's forbidden because connected to idolatry;Ramban: We're affected by what we eat
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Why should unintentional sins require atonement? What guilt exists when requisite intent is lacking?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Like Shabbat points to something beyond time, the people Israel points to something beyond history
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The Sabbath is a full dress rehearsal for an ideal society that has not yet come to pass-but will
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jewish prayer is a convergence of 2 modes of biblical spirituality, exemplified by Moses and Aaron
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
With the synagogue, "Judaism created one of the greatest revolutions in the history of religion"
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
By wisdom, we come to understand G-d via creation; By Torah we understand G-d through His revelation
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah opposes slavery; G-d desires the free worship of free human beings, yet slavery's permitted-?!
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Pharaoh perverted symbols of life (the Nile and midwives) into agents of death.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The 5th cup is supported by a 5th expression of Deliverance: “And I will bring you to the land..."
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The first recorded instance of civil disobedience is the story of Shifra and Puah, defying Pharaoh
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Truthfulness is a fundamental value in Jewish yet truth isn't its highest value. Peace is. Why so?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Jacob’s blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh had nothing to do with age and everything to do with names
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Tamar’s conduct bears an uncanny resemblance to Ruth's; virtuous outsiders at the margins of society
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
A Jew is an iconoclast, born to challenge the idols of the age,whatever the idols, whatever the age.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Simply too many cases of prayers being answered to deny it makes a difference to our fate. It does.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When Jacob was chosen, Esau was not rejected; G-d does not reject.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Between Judaism and Islam there can be friendship and mutual respect as Abraham loved both his sons.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The Babel story is the 2nd in a 4-act drama that's unmistakably a connecting thread of Bereishit
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The emphasis on choice, freedom and responsibility is a most distinctive features of Jewish thought.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sukkot's duality is that it's the most universalistic and the most particularistic of all festivals
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When we cry from the heart, someone listens; When we cry on Yom Kippur, God hears us.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Who am I? What are the most important things in my life? What do I want to be remembered for? If, as a purely hypothetical exercise, I were to imagine reading my own obituary, what would I want it to say? These are the questions Rosh Hashanah urges us to ask ourselves. As we pray […]
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Simply, for Rambam the number 14 (2x7) was his favored organizing principle.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Torah isn't a theological treatise or a metaphysical system but a series of stories linked over time
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
We believe that God created each of us, regardless of color, class, culture or creed, in His image.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Judaism is a religion of love but also a religion of justice, for without justice, love corrupts.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Culture is not nature. There are causes in nature, but only in culture are there meanings.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Blind obedience is not a virtue in Judaism. God wants us to understand the laws He has commanded us
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Israel shows the world that a people does not have to be large in order to be great.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
When someone exercises power over us, they diminish us; when someone teaches us, they help us grow.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Ours is a small and intensely vulnerable people. Inspired, we rise to greatness. Uninspired, we fall
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The negotiation between Moses and the tribes of Reuven and Gad is a model of conflict resolution.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
God’s “name” is therefore His standing in the world. Do people acknowledge Him, respect Him, honor Him?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The very act of learning in rabbinic Judaism is conceived as active debate, a kind of gladiatorial contest of the mind.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In Judaism, to be without questions is a sign not of faith, but of lack of depth.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
You perpetuate a transformative event by turning it into a ritual.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
There is much in this episode that is hard to understand, much that has to do with the concept of holiness and the powerful energies it released that, like nuclear power today, could be deadly dangerous if not properly used. But there is also a more human story about two approaches to leadership that still resonates with us today.
July 17, 2026 
