The Intermountain Jewish News has been proud to publish Sacks’ weekly parsha column. His words and insights inspired our readers and us. We mourn his loss and share our reflections here.
Rabbi Sacks and his wife Elaine hosted me for Shabbos in London in 1990. The good rabbi tried to persuade me to come to London and join him in his work there.
I took a different path and haven’t looked back — except for the kindness of my hosts and the honor and pleasure of Rabbi Sacks’ company and that of his wife on Shabbos (we had something of an instant connection because both of our wives are Elaines).
Rabbi Sacks is remembered as a towering intellect, influential teacher and courageous leader. From that Shabbos I remember him as an open human being, approachable, emotionally honest, respectful, perceptive and charming.
Though it is obviously of no significance, I was complimented when it later got back to me that Rabbi Sacks said, “Goldberg’s humor is drier than the British.”
Rabbi Hillel Goldberg, IJN Editor and Publisher
I looked forward to Rabbi Sacks’ column every week. Regardless of the topic, his intellectual agility and spiritual depth invariably elicited an “ah ha!” moment from me.
Despite cancer’s grip, he published a new book. His columns, untainted by fear, educated and elevated me. He continued tapping the eternal “ah ha” in us all.
Thank you, rabbi.
Andrea Jacobs, IJN Senior Writer
For me personally, and for millions across the world, Rabbi Sacks was a moral guide, a person who grappled with humanity and faith. His Torah analysis, both steeped in tradition and strikingly relevant, was unparalleled. He was a true public servant.
Now more than ever we need voices like his in the world. I am devastated that he has been taken from us, but to quote Prince Charles, “I give thanks for the immeasurable contribution which he made to all our lives.”
Shana Goldberg, IJN Assistant Publisher
The one word that has always come to me regarding Rabbi Sacks was wisdom — a rare attribute in any time, and I think especially today. His logic and depth of thought always struck me as profound. If I can add a second and third word, they would be compassionate and empathetic. I never met the man, to my regret, but I am sure he was a very kind and understanding individual.
Chris Leppek, IJN Assistant Editor
Rabbi Sacks’ vast depth of knowledge, both Judaic and secular, was astounding. His ability and desire to share it was our good fortune. He was truly a gift to all of us, to humanity.
To find all of these qualities — and his personal ones — in one human being is rare indeed.
Elaine Goldberg, IJN Business Dept.
The news of Rabbi Sacks’ passing was such a jolt of sadness to my soul. Although I’d never had the honor to meet him, it felt so personal, for I considered him to be “my rabbi.” His voice was “my Judaism.”
What’s so striking is that as the stories about him pour in, it seems that the depth of his compassionate heart matched that of his gifted mind, eloquent wisdom and spiritual clarity. He still had so much to say. We still had so much to learn from this towering teacher, guide and rabbi.
I am grateful for his written legacy, so that his voice, which has contributed to molding ordinary folk and extraordinary leaders, will continue speaking through the ages. Yehi Zichro Baruch.
Tehilla R. Goldberg, IJN Columnist
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ commentaries on the weekly Torah portions not only reviewed the narrative of the Torah portion, they made us think about being Jewish in the world today.
He demonstrated that the benefit of studying Torah is what we can take from it to help us understand our relationships with people of other religions and with each other.
Rabbi Sacks was a teacher — and student — of tradition, but he never stopped seeking ways to reconcile Jewish tradition with the modern world. That didn’t mean watering down or compromising the tenets of Jewish belief and practice, but helping us understand how we as Jews fit into this universe.
It was an honor to be associated with Rabbi Sacks as columnist in the Intermountain Jewish News. We will miss his presence on our pages, and in this world.
Larry Hankin, IJNAssociate Editor
