Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet. It with the deepest sadness that we regret to inform you that Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh z’’l) passed away early this morning, Saturday 7th November 2020 (Shabbat Kodesh 20th MarCheshvan 5781).
Watch my new whiteboard animation which explores the connection between
#Jews
as a people,
#Judaism
as a religion, &
#Israel
as a state. It shows how this connection is intrinsic to the link between antisemitism and anti-Zionism; something too often overlooked or misunderstood.
"My Lords, it pains me to speak about antisemitism, the world’s oldest hatred. But I cannot keep silent." Here is my speech from today's debate in the House of Lords about
#antisemitism
in Britain.
Together with others in the UK & around the world I will be suspending my social media activity for 48 hours from 9am tomorrow. I urge social media companies to take more responsibility for hate speech on their platforms.
@jack
@Twitter
@instagram
@Facebook
#NoSafeSpaceForJewHate
Evil happens when people let it happen, and our best defence against it is never to forget where evil leads. That is why it is so important to commemorate
#HolocaustMemorialDay
and the 75th anniversary of the liberation of
@AuschwitzMemorial
on 27th January.
#WeRemember
#HMD2020
(2/7) As a Jew, knowing our history, the sight of people being shaven headed, lined up, boarded onto trains, and sent to concentration camps is particularly harrowing.
(3/7) That people in the 21st century are being murdered, terrorised, victimised, intimidated and robbed of their liberties because of the way they worship God is a moral outrage, a political scandal and a desecration of faith itself.
Mazal tov to my wonderful grandson Elisha and all the family on his Bar Mitzvah this weekend. A special and and proud moment. Together with Elaine, I wish you all Shabbat Shalom. Stay safe and be well.
(6/7) Threat becomes fear, fear becomes hate, and hate becomes dehumanisation. The Nazis called Jews vermin and lice. The Hutus of Rwanda called the Tutsis inyenzi, or cockroaches. When the world allows the dehumanisation of the Other, evil follows, as night follows day.
(4/7) The worldwide implementation of Article 18 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights – the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion – remains one of the great challenges of our time.
Even more than the strength to win, we need the courage to try, the willingness to fail, the readiness to learn and the faith to persist.
@TeamSpaceIL
may have ended up a few kilometres short of bringing
#IsraelToTheMoon
but we are so proud of their effort.
#SmallCountryBigDreams
Rabbi Sacks z’’l had prepared a full year of Covenant & Conversation for 5781, based on his book 'Lessons in Leadership'. The Office of Rabbi Sacks will carry on distributing these essays, so that people around the world can continue to learn and be inspired by his Torah.
Wherever you are in the world, whether you are alone in isolation, with your family, I wish you a Shabbat shalom, especially this Shabbat. To those affected, I wish you a speedy and complete refuah sheleima. This Shabbat we are truly am echad b’lev echad. One people. One soul.
(5/7) This right is too often lost when one group within a society, usually the dominant group, sees another group as a threat to its freedom and its own dominance, or when there is a struggle between the will to power and the will to life.
As
#Israel
faces yet another attack from Gaza, over 300 rockets & shells fired in the past 5 hours, our thoughts & prayers are with the brave men & women of the
#IDF
& the people of Israel. Am echad b’lev echad, we are one people with one heart. Am Yisrael Chai.
#IsraelUnderFire
1/ The deadly attack inside a synagogue earlier today in
#Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania has pierced the heart of Jewish communities worldwide. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost loved ones – may they be comforted among all the other mourners of Zion.
"הרב זקס הפך את העולם למקום טוב יותר."
מנהיגים, הוגים, ואמנים מכל קצות הקשת של החברה הישראלית נזכרים ומספרים על חייו ואישיותו מעוררי ההשראה של הרב יונתן זקס זצ"ל.
יהי זכרו ברוך.
Earlier today, I spoke in a
@UKHouseofLords
debate on worldwide
#antisemitism
. Here is a video of my remarks in which I argued that a society, or a political party, that tolerates antisemitism or any form of hate, has forfeited all moral credibility.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the multiple and shocking stabbings in Monsey, New York, the most serious of a number of antisemitic incidents during Chanukah this year.
Jews are the people who refused to be comforted because they never gave up hope. Jacob did eventually see Joseph again. Rachel’s children did return to the land. Jerusalem is once again the Jewish home.
I spend a lot of time with young people who often ask me for advice as they begin their journey into the future. So here are five ideas worth thinking about as we begin our journey into
#2019
.
#YomHashoah
, when we remember the 6 million lost in the
#Holocaust
, begins tonight. At a time of rising levels of
#antisemitism
around the world, it has never been more important to urge the world to
#neverforget
and to commit itself to
#neveragain
allow such horrors to occur.
Some 50,000 soldiers serving in the
#IDF
are receiving a booklet containing a chapter from one of Rabbi Sacks’ books on what made him proud to be a Jew and what it is about Judaism that makes it so unique.
Find out more at
"What would my father have said to us if he was here?"
Watch the powerful reflections of Gila Sacks, Rabbi Sacks' youngest daughter, delivered during the Sacks Conversation at Carnegie Hall in New York on 31 October.
ICYMI: Antisemitism become dangerous when it moves from the fringes of politics to a mainstream party & its leadership; when the party sees that its popularity with the public is not harmed thereby; & when those who stand up & protest are vilified & abused for doing so.
#Panorama
"My Lords, it pains me to speak about antisemitism, the world’s oldest hatred. But I cannot keep silent." Here is my speech from today's debate in the House of Lords about
#antisemitism
in Britain.
For the final word on this thread, I leave it Rabbi Lord Sacks from the House of Commons debate in Antisemitism in September.
The haters are loud
#BeLouder
❤️
As we mark
#HMD2019
we say to the 6M souls of our people: we'll never forget you, we'll never cease to mourn you, we'll not let you down, until Jews can walk the world without fear, witnesses against those who choose death, to the God of life who told us: Choose life.
#WeRemember
This is now a global phenomenon and demands a global response – not just from Jews but from everyone who values liberty, tolerance, coexistence, and the equal rights of all citizens in a free society to live and practice their faith in freedom and safety.
It is with deep sadness that we share in the pain of Hadas Hershkovitz on the passing of her husband, Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, who fell in battle in Gaza.
May his memory be for a blessing.
Thank you for the outpouring of love for Rabbi Sacks & for keeping him in your prayers. We were deeply moved to hear about today’s day of learning & tefillah devoted to his refuah by
@YUNews
,
@OrthodoxUnion
,
@RCArabbinical
& others. Anyone who wishes is welcome to participate.
(1/2) Unfortunately the family are unable to see people in person in the usual way during the Shiva period. We would therefore encourage anyone who wishes to share messages of comfort, stories, video reflections, or photographs to do so by sending them to tributes
@rabbisacks
.org.
"I welcome today’s decision by the United States to recognise as the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, whose name means “city of peace.” This recognition is an essential element in any lasting peace in the region.” Full statement:
Never believe that a handful of dedicated people can’t change the world. Inspired by faith, they can. The Maccabees did then. So can we today.
#Chanukah
#8Thoughts8Nights
#ChagSameach
(1/2) The levaya (funeral) for HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh z’l, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, will take place this afternoon in line with current UK Government COVID guidelines.
Here is a link to videos of the hespeidim (eulogies) delivered at the levaya (funeral) of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh z”l, which took place in London yesterday.
Our baby boy arrived yesterday - Alistair, Amélie & I are brimming with happiness. 👶✨🌈 💙
A massive thank you to the fantastic team
@LiverpoolWomens
for looking after us both with so much care.🙏
Like his namesake of the 8th century, Amos Oz was a prophet of our time, secular, but with the burning moral passion that made him not only one of the world’s great novelists, but also, at a certain time, one of the world’s great activists for peace.
“The Queen has spoken gently to the better angels of our nature. Hers has been the quiet heroism of service, the dignity of dedication to the common good, the good that’s so much bigger and nobler than self-interest.”
“Roger Scruton was one of the most brilliant minds of his generation in the English-speaking world... He was a polymathic genius, an intellectual giant, immense in the scope and depth of his mind.”
Wisdom is free yet it's also the most expensive thing there is, for we tend to acquire it through failure, disappointment or grief. That's why we share our wisdom, so others won't pay the price for it that we paid. Here's some of what Judaism has taught me about life.
@JTVChannel
As
#Israel
faces yet another attack from Gaza - over 300 rockets & shells fired in the past 5 hours - our thoughts & prayers are with the brave men & women of the
#IDF
& the people of Israel. Am echad b’lev echad, we are one people with one heart.
#AmYisraelChai
#IsraelUnderFire
Together with Elaine, I wish you all a
#ChanukahSameach
from London! I hope you have had a wonderful
#Chanukah
with your family and friends. Share your
#Judaism
with others. Take the flame of your faith and help
#LightUpTheWorld
.
Following recent attacks, I’ve written a piece for
@JTAnews
about the worrying and rising levels of
#antisemitism
in the United States, why the world’s oldest hatred has returned, and what needs to happen now. Please read and share.
A year ago today I published my first book, HOW TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM. It brings me no pleasure to say that it is even more relevant now -- and for the next three days it costs less than a latte:
(1/4) Harav Adin Steinsaltz zt’l who has passed away was the Rashi of our generation. His commentaries made texts, especially the Talmud Bavli, accessible to millions for whom they had been a closed book before.
(2/2) The hespeidim (eulogies) will be recorded and placed online later today. Those who wish are invited to say Tehillim (Psalms) 23, 39, 91 and 130 during this time.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the tragic attack in Christchurch, NZ. People of all faith and of none must stand together, against those who seek to inflict terror, and in defence of humanity, the sanctity of life, religious freedom and the honour of God.
It will be an honour to be one of the members to introduce
@LordJohnMann
into the
@UKHouseofLords
later today. Thank you for all you have done and all you will continue to do on behalf of us all.
John Mann’s friendship personally and to our community has been a blessing. He is a man of principle and purpose, and he will be a great loss to Parliament. Whilst the need for a position of this nature is deeply concerning, I cannot think of anyone more suitable to fill it.
The Labour Party was plunged into civil war again this evening as a veteran MP revealed he is quitting the Commons to take up a full-time role as the government’s anti-semitism tsar
Here is a powerful clip from Rabbi Sacks zt"l on the meaning of Sukkot and the Sukkah in which he explores the idea that the permanent can become temporary and the temporary can become permanent. We wish you and your family a Chag Sameach!
#Sukkot
#Sukkot5782
#ChagSameach
The best things any of us can give our children are values to live by, ideals to aspire to, an identity so that they know who they are, and a religious and moral heritage to guide them through the wilderness of time.
#EllulThoughts
Here is a short piece published in the
@JewishChron
on why the world needs
#RoshHashanah
. Together with Elaine and my team, I wish you and your families a shana tova u’metuka. May this year be a sweet and meaningful one for us all. -
"Hope rebuilds the ruins of Jerusalem. That is the message of Tisha B’Av. And it’s the message the world needs right now. We need to know that what can be lost can be regained. And what has been ruined can be rebuilt.” Watch or read my
#TishaBAv
message ->
Never ever be embarrassed about being a Jew. Our people has survived so long and contributed so much, that you should see being Jewish as an honour and a responsibility.
I was horrified and sickened by the atrocious attacks in Sri Lanka that killed and injured so many. Too often the world forgets that our common humanity precedes our religious differences, that every human being is created in the image of God, and that every life is sacred.
“Let us not rest until Israel’s light shines throughout the world, the world’s great symbol of life and hope.”
(Rabbi Sacks’ speech at
@AIPAC
, 2013)
#RabbiSacks
#Israel
#Antisemitism
5/ We are the people who were commanded by Moses to “Choose life” and ever since, despite the tragedies of our history, past and present, have always striven to choose life and sanctify life.
Today marked the third yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l.
We thank communities and schools all around the world who have honoured Rabbi Sacks’ enduring impact as a teacher of Torah, a moral voice and a leader of leaders.
May his memory be for a blessing.
"I’ve been doing Thought for the Day for thirty years but I never thought that in 2018 I would still have to speak about antisemitism." Read a transcript of my
#ThoughtForTheDay
, broadcast earlier, on
@BBCr4today
-
"Asma Shuweikh, the lady in the train, who later said, “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again,” chose not to be a bystander but to confront racism head on. Her quiet courage should be a model for us all.” Here is a transcript of my
#TFTD
on
@BBCr4today
->
6/ That is what the community of Pittsburgh will now do, and Jewish communities around the world will support them as they rebuild, and remember the lives lost.
As we approach
#YomKippur
, the holy of holies of Jewish time, here are ten ideas which might help you focus your prayers and ensure you have a meaningful and life-changing experience.
The official tribute to mark the completion of Shloshim for Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt”l, will take place at 7pm (UK time) on Sunday 6th December. Join live or watch it after at .
“The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews. Antisemitism is the world’s most reliable early warning sign of a major threat to freedom, humanity and the dignity of difference. It matters to all of us. Which is why we must fight it together.” – Rabbi Sacks
In Judaism, God is near. The bond between us is unbreakable. God is close. God is here. God is life. Therefore celebrate life. Sanctify life. Turn life into a blessing and make a blessing over life. That is Judaism.
#EllulThoughts
Most people look at others and see what they seem. Great people look at others and see what they are. But the greatest of the great look at others and see what they can become. That is what leadership is all about. Be someone who sees the potential in others.
#MondayMotivation
The official tribute to mark the completion of Shloshim for Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, HaRav Ya’akov Zvi ben David Arieh zt”l, will take place at 7pm (UK time) on Sunday 6th December. Watch it (live or after) at .
Here is a powerful clip, filmed in 2012, of Rabbi Sacks discussing what he learnt about Jewish pride from the captain of a glass-bottom boat in Eilat.
#AvalZehShelanu
#ButThisIsOurs
The Office of Rabbi Sacks and The Covenant & Conversation Trust will present an online programme on Sunday 6th December to mark the Shloshim of Rabbi Sacks z"l . We hope you will join us and more details will follow.
The power of
#Sukkot
is that it takes us back to the most elemental roots of our being. You don’t need to live in a palace to be surrounded by clouds of glory. You don’t need to be rich to buy yourself the same leaves and fruit that a billionaire uses in worshipping God.
"Few figures in our history have shaped our global Jewish conversation as much as Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l." As we remember Rabbi Sacks and mark his first yahrzeit, the President of the State of Israel
@Isaac_Herzog
offers an emotional and poignant tribute to his friend.
"Where God was in the Holocaust? He was in the commands, in the sanctity of life that were so cruelly and devastatingly unheard, and in the hearts of some of the survivors who found God, giving them the strength.” - Rabbi Sacks zt”l -
@HolocaustUK
#HolocaustMemorialDay
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support & outpouring of love for Rabbi Sacks as he continues his treatment & recovery. To participate in the joint Tehillim reading that has been created, please visit: . Please share widely. Shabbat Shalom.
"All great change is the work of more than one generation, & none of us will live to see the full fruit of our endeavours. Leaders see the destination, begin the journey & leave behind them those who will continue it. That is enough to endow a life with immortality."
#ChayeiSarah