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The Power of Ideas: Words of Faith and Wisdom
‘One of the world's great voices for moral, spiritual, and historical awareness and for global peace' – The John Templeton Foundation
‘One of the great moral thinkers of our time’ – Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone
With a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
Following his death in November 2020, voices from around the world celebrated Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ incalculable contribution to the religious life of the Jewish community, as well as the global conversation on issues of ethics and morality.
This volume brings together the most compelling selection of Jonathan Sacks’ BBC Radio broadcasts, columns from The Times , and a range of articles published in the world’s most respected newspapers, along with his House of Lords speeches and keynote lectures.
First heard and read in many different contexts, these pieces demonstrate with striking coherence the developing power of Sacks’ ideas, on faith and philosophy alike. In each instance he brings to bear deep insights into the immediate situation at the time – and yet it is as if we hear him speaking to us afresh, giving us new strength to face the challenges and complexities of today’s world.
His words of faith and wisdom shine as a beacon of enduring light in an increasingly conflicted cultural climate, and prove the timeless nature and continued relevance of his thought and teachings.
The choice with which humankind is faced is between the idea of power and power of ideas.
‘One of the great moral thinkers of our time’ – Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone
With a foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales
Following his death in November 2020, voices from around the world celebrated Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ incalculable contribution to the religious life of the Jewish community, as well as the global conversation on issues of ethics and morality.
This volume brings together the most compelling selection of Jonathan Sacks’ BBC Radio broadcasts, columns from The Times , and a range of articles published in the world’s most respected newspapers, along with his House of Lords speeches and keynote lectures.
First heard and read in many different contexts, these pieces demonstrate with striking coherence the developing power of Sacks’ ideas, on faith and philosophy alike. In each instance he brings to bear deep insights into the immediate situation at the time – and yet it is as if we hear him speaking to us afresh, giving us new strength to face the challenges and complexities of today’s world.
His words of faith and wisdom shine as a beacon of enduring light in an increasingly conflicted cultural climate, and prove the timeless nature and continued relevance of his thought and teachings.
The choice with which humankind is faced is between the idea of power and power of ideas.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published October 4, 2022
68 people are currently reading
1223 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Sacks
224 books445 followersRabbi Lord Jonathan Henry Sacks was the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. His Hebrew name was Yaakov Zvi.
Serving as the chief rabbi in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, Sacks gained fame both in the secular world and in Jewish circles. He was a sought-after voice on issues of war and peace, religious fundamentalism, ethics, and the relationship between science and religion, among other topics. Sacks wrote more than 20 books.
Rabbi Sacks died November 2020 after a short bout with cancer. He was 72.
Serving as the chief rabbi in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, Sacks gained fame both in the secular world and in Jewish circles. He was a sought-after voice on issues of war and peace, religious fundamentalism, ethics, and the relationship between science and religion, among other topics. Sacks wrote more than 20 books.
Rabbi Sacks died November 2020 after a short bout with cancer. He was 72.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 12, 2023
Over the last several months I have taken my time to read through this brilliant collection of essays, lectures, and articles written by the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. Held in great esteem, Rabbi Sacks was thought of as a “national treasure, a moral voice of reason, and one of the most relevant and important philosophers and commentators for our age.” [Introduction]. Most impressive was the scope of topics covered by this great thinker as he probed the past and the present, urging the global community to embrace hope for a future based on “faith, ethics and morality.”
Writing from a religious perspective, firmly grounded in both Judaic and secular history, Sacks highlighted a return to a world in which “we the people” strengthen the future ‘us’ in “relationship, in identity, and in responsibility”. He stressed that the survival of Judaism throughout these thousands of years depended in large on the “telling of the story of who we are and why”. This allowed Jews to live as a “creative minority” among the disparate societies and cultures in which they found themselves. Sacks encouraged all groups to preserve their own stories, hence making them less fearful of the “other”. Ultimately, he taught readers to “prioritise the collective over the individual, the ‘Other’ over the ‘Self’”.
Sacks delved into political, social, economic, and philosophical movements and dazzled readers with his intellect and clarity. I cannot possibly do justice in a short review to the depth of his thinking in this scintillating collection. Suffice it to say that I cannot remember having been so inspired and stimulated by such an intellect.
Writing from a religious perspective, firmly grounded in both Judaic and secular history, Sacks highlighted a return to a world in which “we the people” strengthen the future ‘us’ in “relationship, in identity, and in responsibility”. He stressed that the survival of Judaism throughout these thousands of years depended in large on the “telling of the story of who we are and why”. This allowed Jews to live as a “creative minority” among the disparate societies and cultures in which they found themselves. Sacks encouraged all groups to preserve their own stories, hence making them less fearful of the “other”. Ultimately, he taught readers to “prioritise the collective over the individual, the ‘Other’ over the ‘Self’”.
Sacks delved into political, social, economic, and philosophical movements and dazzled readers with his intellect and clarity. I cannot possibly do justice in a short review to the depth of his thinking in this scintillating collection. Suffice it to say that I cannot remember having been so inspired and stimulated by such an intellect.
February 28, 2023
Well.
I stretched it out as long as I could. It's not his best book. It has bits and pieces that come together more coherently in his books. But it does have a lot of wisdom. And I still wish he had finished his commentary on the the 5 books of Moses. I'll probably wish that forever.
Do yourself a favor and watch the TED talk at the end. It's much better when you can see the twinkle in his eyes.
I stretched it out as long as I could. It's not his best book. It has bits and pieces that come together more coherently in his books. But it does have a lot of wisdom. And I still wish he had finished his commentary on the the 5 books of Moses. I'll probably wish that forever.
Do yourself a favor and watch the TED talk at the end. It's much better when you can see the twinkle in his eyes.
January 18, 2026
This book made me think about what a free society looks like and needs to thrive, and how faith has shaped some of those fundamentals.
September 26, 2022
First book by a Rabbi, and one that I came to respect so much after finishing it. In this collection of essays, articles and speeches, we find short but profound reflections for modern global issues (marriage, economy, terrorism, xenophobia, etc.) solidly grounded in the biblical (i.e. Hebrew Bible) traditions.
Sacks is exemplary in the art of concise and sharp writing, keeping himself faithful to his faith tradition, without neglecting the necessity of a radical performance in modern public theology.
Personally, his critiques of modern global market are right on the mark. Great reading.
Sacks is exemplary in the art of concise and sharp writing, keeping himself faithful to his faith tradition, without neglecting the necessity of a radical performance in modern public theology.
Personally, his critiques of modern global market are right on the mark. Great reading.
January 3, 2023
"السياسة تتعلق بالسلطة ومن يمارسها ، لكن الحرية تتعلق بالحدود الأخلاقية للسلطة ، وضبط النفس في فرض وجهات نظرنا على الآخرين".
أفكر اليوم بشعب مصر وهم ينتظرون ليروا نتائج ثورتهم الثانية خلال عامين: أولاً ، الإطاحة بالرئيس مبارك ، والآن الإطاحة بالرئيس مرسي ، الذي انتخب قبل عام واحد فقط عن طريق التصويت الديمقراطي.
ما سيحمله المستقبل لا يمكننا أن نعرفه. لكن من المؤكد أننا شهدنا للتو حقيقة عميقة بشكل غير عادي حول طبيعة السياسة.
نحن مدينون بطريقتنا في الحديث عن السياسة لليونانيين القدماء ، ولا سيما لمواطني أثينا منذ حوالي ستة وعشرين قرنًا. هم الذين صاغوا كلمة ديمقراطية ، وهم الذين خلقوا ، تحت حكم سولون ، تجسدها الأول.
كانت تعني ، على حد تعبير أبراهام لينكولن : "حكومة الشعب ، بالشعب ، للشعب". ومع ذلك ، كان مواطنو أثينا هم الذين رأوها - بعد عدة قرون - تنحدر إلى الطغيان. على طول الطريق حكموا على أحد أعظم مفكريهم ، سقراط ، بالإعدام لإفساده الشباب بتعليمهم التفكير بأنفسهم. الطريق إلى الحرية طويل وشاق وسيظل دائمًا.
قال جون ستيوارت ميل إن خطر الديمقراطية هو أنها يمكن أن تؤدي إلى استبداد الأغلبية وبالتالي قمع الأقليات. التصويت الديمقراطي لا يخلق بحد ذاته مجتمعاً حراً . لذلك أنت بحاجة إلى أشياء أخرى أيضًا: احترام الأقليات والعدالة وسيادة القانون غير المتحيزة والالتزام الجماعي بالصالح العام وتوازن دقيق بين الحقوق والمسؤوليات.
وجهة نظري ، التي لا أتوقع أن يوافق عليها الجميع ، هي أن الفكرة الأكثر أهمية هي الفكرة الواردة في الفصل الأول من الكتاب المقدس ، والتي تشترك فيها جميع التوحيدات الإبراهيمية الثلاثة ، وهي أن كل إنسان ، بغض النظر عن اللون أو الثقافة أو العقيدة أو الطبقة ، خُلق على صورة الله. هذا يعني أن الشخص الذي لا يشبهني ، والذي يختلف بعقيدته أو عرقه عني ، لا يزال على صورة الله ، وبالتالي يمتلك حقوقًا غير قابلة للجدل . يجب أن يظل ذلك هو نورنا الهادي ونحن نسعى جاهدين من أجل العدالة والكرامة الإنسانية والمجتمع الصالح. السياسة تتعلق بالسلطة ومن يمارسها ، لكن الحرية تتعلق بالحدود الأخلاقية للسلطة ، وضبط النفس في فرض وجهات نظرنا على الآخرين. لذا ، بينما نصلي من أجل الحرية لشعب مصر ، لنتذكر أن الحرية لا تنتصر بالاحتجاجات أو حتى الانتخابات الديمقراطية ، بل بإفساح المجال لأناس ليسوا مثلنا.
.
Jonathan Sacks
The Power Of Ideas
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
أفكر اليوم بشعب مصر وهم ينتظرون ليروا نتائج ثورتهم الثانية خلال عامين: أولاً ، الإطاحة بالرئيس مبارك ، والآن الإطاحة بالرئيس مرسي ، الذي انتخب قبل عام واحد فقط عن طريق التصويت الديمقراطي.
ما سيحمله المستقبل لا يمكننا أن نعرفه. لكن من المؤكد أننا شهدنا للتو حقيقة عميقة بشكل غير عادي حول طبيعة السياسة.
نحن مدينون بطريقتنا في الحديث عن السياسة لليونانيين القدماء ، ولا سيما لمواطني أثينا منذ حوالي ستة وعشرين قرنًا. هم الذين صاغوا كلمة ديمقراطية ، وهم الذين خلقوا ، تحت حكم سولون ، تجسدها الأول.
كانت تعني ، على حد تعبير أبراهام لينكولن : "حكومة الشعب ، بالشعب ، للشعب". ومع ذلك ، كان مواطنو أثينا هم الذين رأوها - بعد عدة قرون - تنحدر إلى الطغيان. على طول الطريق حكموا على أحد أعظم مفكريهم ، سقراط ، بالإعدام لإفساده الشباب بتعليمهم التفكير بأنفسهم. الطريق إلى الحرية طويل وشاق وسيظل دائمًا.
قال جون ستيوارت ميل إن خطر الديمقراطية هو أنها يمكن أن تؤدي إلى استبداد الأغلبية وبالتالي قمع الأقليات. التصويت الديمقراطي لا يخلق بحد ذاته مجتمعاً حراً . لذلك أنت بحاجة إلى أشياء أخرى أيضًا: احترام الأقليات والعدالة وسيادة القانون غير المتحيزة والالتزام الجماعي بالصالح العام وتوازن دقيق بين الحقوق والمسؤوليات.
وجهة نظري ، التي لا أتوقع أن يوافق عليها الجميع ، هي أن الفكرة الأكثر أهمية هي الفكرة الواردة في الفصل الأول من الكتاب المقدس ، والتي تشترك فيها جميع التوحيدات الإبراهيمية الثلاثة ، وهي أن كل إنسان ، بغض النظر عن اللون أو الثقافة أو العقيدة أو الطبقة ، خُلق على صورة الله. هذا يعني أن الشخص الذي لا يشبهني ، والذي يختلف بعقيدته أو عرقه عني ، لا يزال على صورة الله ، وبالتالي يمتلك حقوقًا غير قابلة للجدل . يجب أن يظل ذلك هو نورنا الهادي ونحن نسعى جاهدين من أجل العدالة والكرامة الإنسانية والمجتمع الصالح. السياسة تتعلق بالسلطة ومن يمارسها ، لكن الحرية تتعلق بالحدود الأخلاقية للسلطة ، وضبط النفس في فرض وجهات نظرنا على الآخرين. لذا ، بينما نصلي من أجل الحرية لشعب مصر ، لنتذكر أن الحرية لا تنتصر بالاحتجاجات أو حتى الانتخابات الديمقراطية ، بل بإفساح المجال لأناس ليسوا مثلنا.
.
Jonathan Sacks
The Power Of Ideas
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
December 1, 2023
Reading this in 2023. One bit from 2014 was darkly prophetic.
Hamas and Hezbollah, both self-defined as religious movements, refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel within any boundaries whatsoever, and seek only its complete destruction.
The Islamists know that the only way they can win the sympathy of the West is by demonizing Israel. They know you can’t win support for ISIS, Boko Haram, or Islamic Jihad, but if you can blame Israel, you will gain the support of academics, unions, and the media, and you will distract attention from the massacres in Syria and Iraq, the slow descent of other countries into chaos, and the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the region.
My lords, I and the vast majority of the Jewish community care deeply about the future of the Palestinians. We want Palestinian children, no less than Israeli children, to have a future of peace, prosperity, freedom, and hope. Which is why we appose those who teach Palestinian children to hate those with whom they will one day have to live; who take money given for humanitarian aid and use it to buy weapons and dig tunnels to take the region back to a dark age of barbarism. (p 198) - October
Hamas and Hezbollah, both self-defined as religious movements, refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the State of Israel within any boundaries whatsoever, and seek only its complete destruction.
The Islamists know that the only way they can win the sympathy of the West is by demonizing Israel. They know you can’t win support for ISIS, Boko Haram, or Islamic Jihad, but if you can blame Israel, you will gain the support of academics, unions, and the media, and you will distract attention from the massacres in Syria and Iraq, the slow descent of other countries into chaos, and the ethnic cleansing of Christians throughout the region.
My lords, I and the vast majority of the Jewish community care deeply about the future of the Palestinians. We want Palestinian children, no less than Israeli children, to have a future of peace, prosperity, freedom, and hope. Which is why we appose those who teach Palestinian children to hate those with whom they will one day have to live; who take money given for humanitarian aid and use it to buy weapons and dig tunnels to take the region back to a dark age of barbarism. (p 198) - October
May 22, 2024
I can never get enough of the late great Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, yet he has passed away.
Thank G-d, people are compiling his words and his work in different ways, and this is one fine example.
Thank G-d, people are compiling his words and his work in different ways, and this is one fine example.
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August 10, 2025I was excited to read my first book of Rabbi Sack’s writings but I think I picked the wrong one to start my journey. These essays are too short to go deep and therefore I did not find them that compelling.
January 23, 2023
This is an amazing book with pearls from a very wise man.
February 21, 2025
Excellent book about wisdom and forgiveness
November 18, 2023
His last book. It’s a compilation of very short writings. I enjoy his other books more but I’m grateful for this collection of quick reads. Hurt my heart to read it as each passage reminded me that he is no longer with us, writing, sharing his heart and wisdom. Humans like Rabbi Sacks are needed in our time. My prayer is that more are rising up and being emboldened to speak.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews