Category Archives: R. Jonathan Sacks

Platform, Pulpit, Archive: Three Models of MO Rabbinic Self-Presentation in Los Angeles

While surfing Rabbi Pini Dunner’s website, I learned: Mavericks, Mystics and False Messiahs NOW AVAILABLE! “A thoroughly engaging introduction to some of the most colorful episodes in Jewish history. A wonderfully enjoyable read.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks “Rabbi Pini … Continue reading

Posted in Alliance Theory, Beth Jacob, Bnai David-Judea, Los Angeles, Modern Orthodox, R. Elazar Muskin, R. Jonathan Sacks, R. Kalman Topp, R. Meir Soloveichik, R. Pini Dunner, R. Yitzchak Etshalom, R. Yosef Kanefsky | Comments Off on Platform, Pulpit, Archive: Three Models of MO Rabbinic Self-Presentation in Los Angeles

Decoding James Kugel

Per Alliance Theory: Bible scholar James Kugel’s core move was to master two alliances that normally distrust each other. He was raised Orthodox and trained deeply in traditional modes of reading Tanakh and Midrash. He knows the inside language. He … Continue reading

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Decoding Rabbi Joseph Telushkin

Written with AI: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin is a norm translator and moral ambassador rather than a boundary enforcer or institutional governor. Telushkin’s power does not come from controlling entry, legitimacy, or halachic process. It comes from shaping how Jews explain … Continue reading

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Decoding Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Written with AI: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was the most successful “prestige mediator” in modern Jewish history. He used the language of sociobiology, game theory, and moral philosophy to defend traditionalist structures. While he claimed a high degree of rigor—often … Continue reading

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There can be no place in the immigration debate for xenophobia and the appeal to fear

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes: As a Jew, I am always deeply grateful that when fleeing antisemitism in Poland my late father found refuge in Britain. Like so many other Jews in Britain, I know in my heart, in my very … Continue reading

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Judaism: Love the Stranger Because You Were Once Strangers

The rabbi does not say anything about the Jewish state needing to do anything for these refugees. He doesn’t say anything about Jews needing to do anything for these refugees, beyond hectoring the goyim with obscene Holocaust parallels to admit … Continue reading

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Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on BBC Newsnight about the European refugee crisis

Rabbi Sacks says Europe must take in these Muslim refugees because Holocaust. He doesn’t say anything about Israel needing to take in these refugees. He pushes diversity on the goyim while keeping the benefits of cohesion to Jews. I’m not … Continue reading

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Lord Jonathan Sacks

Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills posts: “Please join us as we welcome Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks this Shabbat, February 22. Rabbi Sacks will give the Shabbat morning drasha in Shapell Sanctuary, with davening led by the Shabbaton choir.” It seems … Continue reading

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Using Slave Labor To Build Our Holy Temple In Jerusalem

Historian Marc B. Shapiro writes: Regarding the Sacks siddur, I recommend that all listen to the wonderful dialogue between Rabbi Sacks and Leon Wieseltier available here. I have to say, however, that I was surprised to hear Sacks say at … Continue reading

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What Has Britain’s Chief Rabbi Done To Strengthen Modern Orthodoxy In UK?

Lawrence Kaplan writes: "The CR is an eloquent spokesman for traditional Jewish values on the nationial and international scene. Kol ha-kavod. But what has he done to strengthen the modern Orthodox community in the UK? From my own observations and … Continue reading

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