Rabbi, Teacher, Beacon of Light

Photo: AP Images

When Shabbos came to a close, and I learned of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks — the famed former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth — I was immediately filled with a deep sense of personal loss. Rabbi Sacks was a kind and wise friend to me.

I remember how, when I was appointed Chief Rabbi of South Africa about 17 years ago, he was one of the first people who phoned me to give me chizuk. I took on the role at a relatively young age, and I was fortunate that Rabbi Sacks was there from the beginning to offer guidance and support with his characteristic grace and empathy. In the years since, I have seen his compassion and kindness emerge on many occasions, in many different ways. But even if you are like me, and you merited a personal connection with Rabbi Sacks, his loss is much greater than a personal one. It is a national bereavement for Klal Yisrael.

Thinking about his legacy as a Torah teacher, as a prolific author and speaker, as a leader of one of the great diaspora Jewish communities, as a great moral voice for the world at large, I have been trying to figure out what made him so distinctive. There is no doubt that his shiurim and books and articles and speeches had a profound impact on those who encountered them. Many were brought closer to Torah as a result of his influence. And he was an extraordinary kiddush Hashem, both within the Jewish world and outside of it. But what truly made him unique?

To answer that question, we need to take a step back and appreciate the preciousness of our Torah. Too often we take it for granted. Whether it’s the Torah shebichsav or the Torah shebe’al peh, our familiarity dulls our sense of what we have. We fail to appreciate that Torah is the ultimate chochmah — that it is Divine wisdom.