Posts Tagged: jonathan sacks
Why Jews Must Remember History
In Eikev, Moses sets out a political doctrine of such wisdom that it can never become redundant or obsolete. He does it by way of...
The Torah and the Religious Significance of Israel
In this week's parsha, the long journey is nearing its close. The Jordan is almost within sight. We have read the long itinerary of stops...
Parshat Korach: An Argument for the Sake of Heaven
The Korach rebellion was not just the worst of the revolts from the wilderness years. It was also different because it was a direct assault...
Why We Fear Freedom — Shelach Lecha
The episode of the spies is one of the most tragic in the entire Torah. Who sent them and to what end is not entirely...
At UK House of Lords Debate on Antisemitism, Baroness Tonge Blames Israel for Jew-Hatred
Two very different sentiments were expressed at a debate on antisemitism in the British House of Lords on Thursday, with a former UK chief rabbi...
Parshat Bamidbar: Leading a Nation of Individuals
Bamidbar begins with a census of the Israelites. That is why this book is known in English as "Numbers." What is the significance of this...
Parshat Bechukotai: The Birth of Hope
This week, we read the Tochecha -- the terrifying curses warning of what would happen to Israel if it betrayed its Divine mission. We read...
Parshat Acharei Mot: Think Fast — and Slow
If we put together recent discoveries in neuroscience with Midrashic tradition, we may be able to shed new light on the meaning of the central...
Parshat Shemini: The Need for Both Hope and Humanity
It should have been the great day of celebration. The Tabernacle, Israel’s first collective house of worship, was complete. All preparations had been made. For...
Parshat Pekudei: The Origins of Jewish Philanthropy
Pekudei has sometimes been called the accountant’s parsha, because it begins with the audited accounts of the money and materials donated to the Sanctuary. It...
Parshat Tetzaveh: How Brothers Learned to Live in Unity
It is interesting to note the absence of Moses from parshat Tetzaveh. Moses -- the hero, the leader, the liberator, the lawgiver -- is off-stage...
Parshat Terumah: The Synagogue as a Portable Home
Parshat Terumah describes the construction of the Tabernacle -- the first collective house of worship in the history of Israel, which was eventually succeeded by the...
New Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Takes Heat for Corbyn Praise
Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was criticized on Monday after she praised UK Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is viewed by many Jews as an...
Parshat Beshalach: Rational Explanations for Miracles Don’t Take Away Their Wonders
The splitting of the Red Sea is engraved in Jewish memory. We recite it daily during the morning service, and we speak of it again...
