On Wednesday 25 January, 2012, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Lord Jonathan Sacks, visited Sydney’s Great Synagogue to engage in conversation with Dr Norman Swan, Medical and Science Broadcaster for ABC Radio National.
Gifted to each attendee of the event was the small volume “Letters to the Next Generation 2: Reflections on Jewish Life”, authored by Lord Sacks. Both this and the first volume are available in pdf format at http://www.chiefrabbi.org/ReadArtical1808.aspx and http://www.chiefrabbi.org/ReadArtical1552.aspx respectively.
Written as a series of letters to two fictitious university students, Ruth and Michael, the Chief Rabbi deals briefly yet eloquently and thoroughly with issues such as ‘the pursuit of happiness’, making ‘a blessing over life’, morality, living a life of meaning, and shares thoughts on faith and prayer.
To highlight but one of these, of prayer, the Chief Rabbi suggests that it not to be thought of as a way to change the mind of God, rather “prayer changes the world because it changes us.” Prayer is to be viewed not as a way to ask God to fulfill our desires, but rather as a way to realize what it is we ought to desire.
Of course, the book is written primarily for a Jewish audience, but is equally accessible by those of other faiths. While many of the Jewish faith might read it in order to renew or solidify the importance of Judaism in their lives, those of other faiths might find greater insight into the role of religion for Jews within its sixty-five pages, and finds its chapters a useful springboard for conversation with their Jewish friends.
Lord Sacks offers his thoughts here clearly, concisely, and with a generous spirit. The breadth of his knowledge on subjects as diverse as psychology, history, theology, literature and the sciences shines through without creating a work that is overly dense. A truly interesting and enlightening read.