🔬 Faith and science
Sacks taught that faith and science are partners, not enemies. He said science explains how things work, while religion asks why we are here and what life is for. A person can use both.
Judaism: Origins and Their Impact on the Community » Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: Teaching and Contribution
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 2 Judaism (4RS1/2E), 1.4 and 1.1
- The outline of the life of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
- His main teachings, from faith and science to the dignity of difference
- What he contributed to Judaism and to public life
- How far he is important for Jews today, and why Jews disagree
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Unlock This CourseWho was Jonathan Sacks?
Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020) is the Jewish figure this course studies after Abraham, Moses and Maimonides. He was born in London and studied philosophy at Cambridge before becoming a rabbi. He was both a scholar and a teacher who explained Judaism to people of every background.
In 1991 he became Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, the senior rabbi of a large group of mainly Orthodox synagogues. He held the post until 2013. He was made a life peer in 2009, so he is often called Rabbi Lord Sacks and sat in the House of Lords. In 2016 he won the Templeton Prize, an international award for work that connects faith with the big questions of life. He died in November 2020.
Key terms:
- Life peer: a person given a title and a seat in the House of Lords for their lifetime, as a reward for public service.
- Dignity of difference: Sacks's idea that people of different faiths and cultures can respect each other and each add something to the world.
- Covenant (recap from Keeping the Law: Salvation and the Purpose of Life in Judaism): the agreement between the Almighty and the Jewish people. Sacks stressed that it is also a model for how people live together.
His teachings
🌎 The dignity of difference
He taught that the Almighty is greater than any one religion, so people can hold their own faith firmly and still respect others. He made this the title of his book The Dignity of Difference (2002).
🤝 Responsibility and tikkun olam
You met tikkun olam, repairing the world, in the lesson Creation, Humanity and Tikkun Olam. Sacks taught that Judaism is about duties to others, not only rights for yourself. Every person is responsible for making the world better.
👪 Family, community and covenant
He believed that strong families and communities, held together by the covenant, make people stronger and kinder. He saw them as the places where values are passed on.
Sacks also taught that religion must never be used to justify violence. In his book Not in God's Name (2015) he argued that those who harm others in the name of God misuse their faith. Jews, like believers of every religion, should use their beliefs to make peace.
His contribution to Judaism
- Books and writing: he wrote many books for general readers, explaining Jewish ideas in clear language. His weekly Torah commentary, called Covenant & Conversation, is read by people around the world and links the weekly Torah portion to modern life.
- Broadcasting: he spoke on radio and television, including BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, and so reached people who had never entered a synagogue.
- Jewish education and identity: he encouraged Jewish learning and pride in being Jewish, to help young Jews keep their traditions.
- A public voice for faith: as Chief Rabbi and in the House of Lords he spoke for Jews, and for religious people in general, in national debates. Leaders of other faiths respected him.
Worked example: linking teaching to contribution
Teaching: the dignity of difference. Contribution: he wrote a book about it and spoke on broadcasts, so people of other faiths heard it too. Effect: many people, Jewish and not, saw Judaism as a faith that respects others. Always link a teaching to what he did with it and to what changed.
How important is he for Jews today?
✅ Why he is important
His books and commentaries are still read and studied. He is a role model who showed how to be faithful to Judaism and active in modern society. His message of respect and responsibility is helpful in a world of many faiths.
❓ Why not all agree
He led Orthodox communities, and not all Jews accepted him as their leader. Progressive (Reform and Liberal) Jews and some strictly Orthodox Jews have their own leaders. Many Jews simply feel that their own local rabbi speaks for them more.
So most Jews respect Sacks as a teacher, but how much he guides their daily lives depends on their community. For some he is a major influence, and for others he is one voice among many.
Common mistakes
Do not say Sacks was Chief Rabbi of every Jew. He led a group of mainly Orthodox synagogues. Do not mix up his dates: Chief Rabbi 1991-2013, life peer 2009, Templeton Prize 2016. Do not just list the facts of his life. The examiner wants his teaching, what he did with it and why it matters.
Exam-style question
(a) Outline two teachings of a Jewish figure you have studied. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is important for Jews. [6 marks]
(c) "Rabbi Sacks is the most important Jewish leader for Jews today." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include reference to teachings, other points of view and your own opinion. [10 marks]
Model answer
(a) One teaching of Sacks is that faith and science are partners (1), because science explains how the world works while religion asks why we are here (1). Another is the dignity of difference (1), which means people of different faiths can respect each other and each add something to the world (1).
(b) Sacks is important because he was Chief Rabbi from 1991 to 2013, so he spoke for a large group of synagogues (1). He explained Judaism to ordinary people through books such as The Dignity of Difference and his weekly Torah commentary, which are read around the world (1). He taught that faith and science work together, which helps young Jews who wonder if they must choose between them (1). He taught responsibility and tikkun olam, so Jews are encouraged to repair the world (1). As a life peer and a broadcaster he gave Judaism a respected voice in public life (1). His message that religion must never justify violence shows Jews how to live peacefully with others (1).
(c) Plan. For: his books and commentaries are still widely read; he taught respect, responsibility and the covenant; he spoke for Judaism nationally and was honoured with the Templeton Prize. Against: he led Orthodox communities, and Progressive Jews and some strictly Orthodox Jews follow other leaders; Moses gave the Torah and Maimonides gave the Thirteen Principles, so some say they matter more for Jewish belief; many Jews look first to their own local rabbi. Possible conclusion: Sacks is among the most influential modern Jewish voices, but because Jews follow different leaders, he is one of the most important rather than the most important.
Exam tip
When asked about a person, write about their teaching, what they did with it, and the effect on Jews. In a 10-mark answer, show that Jews disagree about their importance and reach your own reasoned conclusion.