The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Doing and Hearing (Rabbi Sacks on Mishpatim, Covenant & Conversation)
13 snips
Feb 9, 2026 A reflection on na'aseh v'nishma and what it means to commit before fully understanding. A look at Talmudic and medieval debates about assent and chronology. A modern take that action can precede comprehension in religious life. A proposal of three covenant ratifications and the idea of unified practice with diverse spiritual experiences.
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Commitment Before Understanding
- The phrase na'aseh v'nishma can mean bold collective commitment before understanding.
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks shows this reverses the modern habit of understanding before committing.
Try Commitment To Learn Its Meaning
- Do engage in practices before expecting full understanding in deep commitments.
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks warns that hovering for full facts will let life pass by.
Threefold Covenant, Two Responses
- The Torah records three ratifications of the covenant with different emphases.
- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks argues the first two were unanimous actions, while the third introduced individual hearing.
