The Rabbi Sacks Legacy
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Follow the audio shiurim, lectures and speeches of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, global religious leader, philosopher, author of over 30 books and moral voice for our time. Rabbi Sacks served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth between September 1991 and September 2013. A full biography - together with an extensive online archive of Rabbi Sacks' work - is available at www.rabbisacks.org or you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @rabbisacks.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 11, 2026 • 11min
Law as Love (Rabbi Sacks on Bamidbar, Covenant & Conversation)
A reflective look at Torah as both law and a loving covenant. Stories range from Pepys’ surprise at Simchat Torah to the desert as a transformative, liminal space. Themes include law given before land, speech over nature, and the idea of a spiritual honeymoon binding people and God.
8 snips
May 4, 2026 • 9min
Family Feeling (Rabbi Sacks on Behar-Bechukotai, Covenant & Conversation)
A meditation on family feeling in scripture and law. Short reflections on Judaism as both holiness and kinship. Social obligations framed as brotherly duty are explored. Biblical and rabbinic images of God as parent receive attention. Stories of sibling rivalry, reconciliation, and the role of family in passing memory round out the discussion.
4 snips
Apr 28, 2026 • 9min
The Duality of Jewish Time (Rabbi Sacks on Emor, Covenant & Conversation)
A meditation on the holiness of time and how calendars shape spiritual life. Brief contrasts between lunar months and solar seasons highlight a dual temporal system. Different starts of day and year and the roles of sacred days vs cyclical festivals are explored. Reflections compare prophetic history with priestly ritual rhythms.
6 snips
Apr 21, 2026 • 10min
Holy People, Holy Land (Acharei Mot-Kedoshim, Covenant & Conversation)
A reflection on whether a people need a land and how territory shapes national identity. Discussion of the Torah as a societal constitution that embeds moral law into public life. Examination of why certain commandments relate uniquely to living in a homeland. A call for shared recognition of Abrahamic promises alongside a challenge to live with justice and compassion.
Apr 13, 2026 • 10min
The Sacrifices of Childbirth (Rabbi Sacks on Tazria-Metzora)
A clear look at why postpartum rites include surprising offerings. Short explorations of classical commentaries and ritual terms clarify purpose. Reflections connect childbirth to mortality, parental responsibility, and gratitude. A surprising link between ancient narratives and sacrificial practice is highlighted.
Apr 10, 2026 • 10min
Fire: Holy and Unholy (Rabbi Sacks on Shemini, Covenant & Conversation)
A lively exploration of sacred fire and its dangers. Short scenes trace a priestly consecration, a fatal misstep with unauthorized flame, and why holiness demands restraint. Reflections contrast universal ethics with particular religious time and place. A warning about how sincere initiative can corrupt the sacred if not humbled.
20 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 41min
From the Archives: A Pesach Shiur by Rabbi Sacks | From Freedom to Responsibility (March 2013)
A pre-Pesach shiur exploring layered readings of Torah and a counter-narrative to Exodus. Literary parallels between Creation and the Mishkan are traced, with emphasis on numeric patterns and doublings. The talk moves from divine action to human partnership, arguing for freedom matured into law-based responsibility and communal civic duty.
12 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 11min
(Violence and the Sacred) Rabbi Sacks on Tzav, Covenant & Conversation
A probing look at why ancient sacrifices existed and how they might channel human violence. The discussion contrasts theories from Albo, Girard, and Ignatieff about meat, murder, and revenge. It explores how ritual, law, and justice interplay to prevent cycles of vengeance and shape communal life.
12 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 9min
The Pursuit of Meaning (Rabbi Sacks on Vayikra, Covenant & Conversation)
A thoughtful exploration of the difference between fleeting happiness and lasting meaning. Reflections on how suffering can reveal purpose and Viktor Frankl’s lesson from Auschwitz. Discussion of unique personal callings, biblical examples of being summoned, and how vocation often requires sacrifice. Practical guidance on finding where your desires meet the world’s needs.
7 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 14min
The Spirit of Community (Rabbi Sacks on Vayakhel-Pekudei)
A reflection on restoring moral order after a crisis and how ritual rebuilds community. Contrasts two 1831 journeys that reshaped ideas about society. Explores how evolution, religion, and civic habits create social bonds. Shows why shared worship, Sabbath, and the sanctuary forge collective virtue and freedom.
