The secular Israeli talk show host turned politician Yair Lapid, once wrote a letter to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks OB”M that began, “I don’t have a Rabbi, but if I did have a Rabbi, you would be my Rabbi.” Today is the end of the mourning week of Shivah for England’s late, great Lord Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks OB”M and although I normally try to write a letter to the community every two weeks, I feel I would be remiss in doing justice in paying last respects honoring the memory of Rabbi Sacks if I did not also write a few words this week.
Rabbi Sacks is perhaps the most famous student of Addlestone’s founding Rabbi, Rabbi Nachum Rabinovich OB”M and they both passed away less than a year apart. There are dozens of eulogies about Rabbi Sacks available on the web for you to peruse and I strongly encourage you to do so. The one that stood out for me, in particular, was written in yesterday’s Jerusalem Post by a columnist who described a potential conversation between G-d and Rabbi Sacks that took place after his death. To read the article, please click here.
One of the highlights of my career was having the distinct honor of introducing Rabbi Sacks at a dinner in Atlanta during his visit to the World Peace Summit at Emory University. After agreeing to introduce Rabbi Sacks, I was overwhelmed by the fear of not being able to adequately introduce such a towering luminary. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure I could get his title right. After I confided my anxiety about introducing the Rabbi to a friend, he suggested that when you introduce a great person, just compare them to a greater person from a previous generation and that usually will be appropriate. After giving it much thought, I decided to introduce Rabbi Sacks as “The Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch” of our generation. What I meant by that was, Rabbi Sacks had the unique ability to unapologetically convey in writing and in speech a convincing argument that was a respectful and compelling defense of traditional beliefs and values. At the end of my introduction, I saw the Rabbi smile sheepishly with a very humble yet satisfied look of appreciation to be compared to such a distinguished figure.
When Rabbi Sacks took time out of his busy schedule to visit our local Jewish High School in Atlanta, I felt embarrassed when I mistakenly served him a meat lunch, not realizing the Rabbi was a vegetarian. He simply said, “Perhaps there’s another option?” Realizing my error I quickly offered to serve him salmon instead of meat. Sensing my awkwardness, he put his arm around me and smiled in a reassuring manner accompanied by a few words of encouragement that I still can feel the warmth of today.
May his memory be a blessing and inspiration for all of us.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Elisha Paul
P.S. – As I am sure any descriptions of Rabbi Sacks’ unique communication style will not be sufficient, click here to listen to a brief piece of audio made by Rabbi Sacks shortly before his death that I hope you enjoy.
