I thought this blog might as well have been dead for multiple reasons, but as the rabbi in the title just passed, I thought I would put something out there in his memory.
In my mind, the greatest title a rabbi could have is "Rabbi Lord", which is the title Rabbi Sacks had for many years. We all know that "rabbi" commands Torah-respect for the individual. But "Lord" is a word of world-wide empowerment. Lord makes one sound truly mighty. I think Rabbi Sacks zt"l fulfilled both of his titles. He was a top-notch leader of the Jewish community, and he also did his best at navigating British politics.
I don't know too much about Rabbi Sacks' teachings, but the little that I have on occasion seen and heard has always been very inspiring. I was profoundly inspired from a recording of an idea his whatsapp group sent out Elul before last. In it, he brought the story of a woman who spoke to a reporter about prayer. When asked what she says during her prayers, she said she does nothing, she only listens (to God). And what does God say, asked the reporter. Nothing, she answered. He listens, too.
When I first heard that, I was confused. I didn't understand what any of that meant. But the Rabbi Sacks proceeded to explain the idea that during tefillah, there's a kind of special back-and-forth with Hashem. While yes, we do speak during prayer, at the same time, we're also listening for Hashem. And Hashem, for His part, is waiting and listening to us. Mutual listening for each other. it was something I had never considered before and was truly in awe by the idea.
Rabbi Sacks, I never knew you personally, but I've heard many times of your striving to bring Jews from all four corners and all communities together. The world now has a Rabbi Sacks-shaped hole in it. May your neshama receive the highest aliyah, B"H.
תנצב"ה
