#455: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on Powerful Books, Mystics, Richard Dawkins, and the Dangers of Safe Spaces

12 snips

Aug 26, 2020

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, an esteemed moral philosopher and former chief rabbi of the UK, shares profound insights on faith and morality in today's world. He discusses the symbolism of his iconic yellow tie and its role in fostering connections. Sacks navigates the tension between individualism and altruism, emphasizing community strength. He also reflects on the importance of collective action during crises, illustrating the need for cooperation over isolation. This engaging conversation encourages listeners to embrace gratitude and the power of community.

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ANECDOTE

Yellow Ties

Rabbi Sacks shifted from wearing silver ties to yellow ties.
He believes yellow ties project cheerfulness and uplift people.

INSIGHT

Faith and Noise

Rabbi Sacks defines faith as the ability to hear the music beneath the noise.
He finds noise-canceling earphones helpful for meditation and appreciating life's wonders.

ANECDOTE

Life-Changing Encounter

Rabbi Sacks' encounter with the Lubavitcher Rebbe at 20 changed his life.
The Rebbe challenged him to become a leader, inspiring his rabbinical path.

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Tractate Ketubot

Jacob Neusner

The Dignity of Difference

How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

In this book, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks argues that the key to avoiding a clash of civilizations lies in embracing and respecting the dignity of difference. Written in response to the tragic events of 9/11, Sacks proposes a paradigm shift in the approach to religious coexistence, advocating for a recognition of the value in diversity rather than seeking common ground alone. He draws on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions to outline a path towards tolerance and peace, emphasizing the importance of moral values in a globalized world and the need for a coherent vision of global concern[2][4][5].

IN GOD'S NAME

An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I

DAVID YALLOP

In this book, David Yallop investigates the death of Pope John Paul I, proposing a theory that the pope was in danger due to corruption in the Vatican's financial institution, the Istituto per le Opere di Religione (IOR), which was involved in significant financial losses. The book won the Crime Writers' Golden Dagger Award for Nonfiction in 1984.

Purpose Driven Life

Rick Warren

In 'The Purpose Driven Life', Rick Warren guides readers through a personal 42-day spiritual journey to transform their understanding of life's purpose. The book addresses three fundamental questions: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What on Earth am I here for? Warren emphasizes that real meaning and significance come from understanding and fulfilling God’s eternal purposes for each person. The book is divided into short chapters, each designed to be read as a daily devotional, and includes God's five purposes for life: to love God, to be part of His family, to become like Christ, to serve Him, and to tell others about Him[2][4][5].

Morality

Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

In 'Morality', Rabbi Jonathan Sacks traces the current societal crises to the loss of a strong, shared moral code and the elevation of self-interest over the common good. He argues that morality has been outsourced to the market and the state, neither of which can provide a moral framework for living. Sacks leads readers through a historical sweep from ancient Greece to the present day, emphasizing that there is no liberty without morality and no freedom without responsibility. He advocates for rebuilding a common moral foundation and restoring the importance of collective responsibility and the 'we' over the 'I'[1][4][5].

The Choice

Edith Eager

Just six numbers

The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe

Martin Rees

In 'Just Six Numbers,' Martin J. Rees discusses six cosmic numbers (N, epsilon, omega, lambda, Q, and D) that are crucial for the universe's structure and the emergence of life. These numbers, defined during the Big Bang, govern the universe's shape, size, and texture. Rees explains how slight changes in these numbers would make life as we know it impossible. He considers the fine-tuning of these parameters and discusses the multiverse hypothesis as a possible explanation for their values, although he acknowledges that science cannot fully explain this fine-tuning[2][3][4].