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Quotes by

Jonathan Sacks

Which European leader today would not relish the wonder-working powers of a Moses? Budget deficit? Unpopular cuts? How about just a little miracle, an overnight increase in gold reserves, a new oil field, or the next world-changing communications technology? Surely thats not too much to ask. – Jonathan Sacks

Follow your passion. Nothing – not wealth, success, accolades or fame – is worth spending a lifetime doing things you dont enjoy. – Jonathan Sacks

Since the 18th century, many Western intellectuals have predicted religions imminent demise. – Jonathan Sacks

Technology gives us power, but it does not and cannot tell us how to use that power. Thanks to technology, we can instantly communicate across the world, but it still doesnt help us know what to say. – Jonathan Sacks

Theres always hope. You can lose everything else in the world, but Jews never lose hope. – Jonathan Sacks

Jews read the books of Moses not just as history but as divine command. The question to which they are an answer is not, What happened? but rather, How then shall I live? And its only with the exodus that the life of the commands really begins. – Jonathan Sacks

While everyone else is thinking about economics and politics, executive salaries and the future of the euro, do the opposite, even if its hard. Invest in the spirit. – Jonathan Sacks

Gods forgiveness allows us to be honest with ourselves. We recognize our imperfections, admit our failures, and plead to God for clemency. – Jonathan Sacks

Religiosity turns out to be the best indicator of civic involvement: its more accurate than education, age, income, gender or race. – Jonathan Sacks

Focus on the mind and the soul. Read. Study. Enrol in a course of lectures. Pray. Become a member of a religious congregation. Study the Bible or other ancient works of wisdom. – Jonathan Sacks

If you want a free society, teach your children what oppression tastes like. Tell them how many miracles it takes to get from here to there. Above all, encourage them to ask questions. Teach them to think for themselves. – Jonathan Sacks

In virtually every Western society in the 1960s there was a moral revolution, an abandonment of its entire traditional ethic of self-restraint. – Jonathan Sacks

A society in which there are high levels of voluntary activity will simply be a better, happier place than one where there are not. – Jonathan Sacks

Science will explain how but not why. It talks about what is, not what ought to be. Science is descriptive, not prescriptive it can tell us about causes but it cannot tell us about purposes. Indeed, science disavows purposes. – Jonathan Sacks

Since Hiroshima and the Holocaust, science no longer holds its pristine place as the highest moral authority. Instead, that role is taken by human rights. It follows that any assault on Jewish life – on Jews or Judaism or the Jewish state – must be cast in the language of human rights. – Jonathan Sacks

We from every religion feel comfortable in Britain because there is a host. The Church of England is a good host, it has been a major force in shaping England into such a tolerant society. – Jonathan Sacks

Religion survives because it answers three questions that every reflective person must ask. Who am I? Why am I here? How then shall I live? – Jonathan Sacks

Religion creates community, community creates altruism and altruism turns us away from self and towards the common good… There is something about the tenor of relationships within a religious community that makes it the best tutorial in citizenship and good neighborliness. – Jonathan Sacks

The people of Israel are entitled, as is any other nation, to live in peace and safety. – Jonathan Sacks

A survey carried out across the U.S. between 2004 and 2006 showed that frequent church- or synagogue-goers are more likely to give money to charity. – Jonathan Sacks