About the Author


Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l was an international religious leader, philosopher, and respected moral voice. The author of over 35 books, he received multiple awards in recognition of his work including the 2016 Templeton Prize. He was the recipient of 18 honorary doctorates, and was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen in 2005 and made a Life Peer, taking his seat in the House of Lords in October 2009. Rabbi Sacks zt”l served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. Rabbi Sacks zt”l was born on the 8th March 1948 and passed away on the 7th November 2020 (Shabbat Kodesh 20th MarCheshvan 5781).
These weekly teachings from Rabbi Sacks zt”l are part of the ‘Covenant & Conversation’ series on the weekly Torah reading. Read more essays from the series on www.rabbisacks.org.
Also available: The FAMILY EDITION of Covenant & Conversation, designed to enhance your parsha conversation with everyone from teenagers to great-great-grandparents. To read and print this family-friendly learning resource, for an inter-generational discussion around your Shabbat table on Rabbi Sacks’ ideas for the week, please click here.


Parsha: Healing the Heart of Darkness

What makes us moral? And what makes humanity capable of being so inhumane?

Parsha: The Politics of Revelation

At Sinai, the politics of freedom was born.

Parsha: The Structure of Good Society

Parsha: The Face of Evil

Parsha: Telling the Story

Identity is based on the narrative that links me to the past, guides me in the present, and places on me responsibility for the future

Parsha: Freewill

Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?

Parsha: On Not Obeying Immoral Orders

Parsha: When Is It Permitted To Tell a Lie?

Parsha: The Birth of Forgiveness

Parsha: On Leadership: The Unexpected Leader

The mark of a leader is not righteousness. It’s the ability to admit mistakes and to learn and grow from them.

Parsha: Appearance and Reality

Parsha: The Parable of the Tribes

Parsha: Love Is Not Enough

To Be Free, Let Go of Hate

Straight talk in Britain's House of Lords.

Parsha: On Leadership: The Price of Silence

The price we pay for a failure to communicate​.

Parsha: Was Jacob Right To Take the Blessings?

Parsha: The Kindness of Strangers

The pillar of Jewish life is kindness.

Parsha: On Leadership: Answering the Call

Abraham stood for a faith that challenges the world instead of accepting it.

Parsha: The Binding of Isaac

Parsha: On Leadership: The Courage Not To Conform

To be a Jew is to be willing to challenge the prevailing consensus.

Parsha: How Perfect Were the Patriarchs and Matriarchs?

Parsha: Beyond Nature

Europe’s Alarming New Anti-Semitism

Attacks and hateful rhetoric against Jews are on the rise – and it’s not just Jews who should worry.

Parsha: On Leadership: Staying Young

Parsha: On Leadership: Consensus or Command?

Parsha: On Leadership: Against Hate

Do not forget the past but do not be held captive by it.

Parsha: Greatness Is Humility

The real honor is not the honor we receive but the honor we give.

Parsha: On Leadership: Defining Reality

Parsha: On Leadership: To Lead Is To Listen

Understanding the depth of listening.

Parsha: On Leadership: The Fewest of All Peoples

Israel would be the smallest of the nations for a reason that goes to the very heart of its existence as a nation.

Why So Much Suffering?

Creating freedom without anarchy, order without tyranny.

Parsha: On Leadership: Conflict Resolution

Moses as a guide to negotiation and conflict resolution.

Sanctifying Life

In memoriam Eyal, Gilad and Naftali.

Parsha: On Leadership: Miriam, Moses' Friend

Parsha: On Leadership: Servant Leadership

In Judaism to lead is to serve.

Parsha: On Leadership: Confidence

Parsha: On Leadership: Power or Influence?

The essence of Jewish leadership.

Parsha: On Leadership: The Politics of Envy

Parsha: On Leadership: Leading a Nation of Individuals

Judaism’s remarkable insistence – like no other civilization before – on the dignity and integrity of the individual.

Parsha: On Leadership: "We the People"

Parsha: On Leadership: Followership

Parsha: On Leadership: Sprints and Marathons

Parsha: On Leadership: How to Praise

Parsha: On Leadership: The Price of Free Speech

The dangers of gossip, especially in the age of the Internet.

Parsha: On Leadership: Reticence vs. Impetuosity

Parsha: On Not Trying to Be What You Are Not

Parsha: On Leadership: The Sins of a Leader

Parsha: On Leadership: Celebrate

Parsha: On Leadership: Team-Building

Parsha: On Leadership: How Leaders Fail

Examining two different reasons.

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