To Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility

its Rabbi Jonathon Sacks who is certainly the greatest modern orthodox thinker of the 21st century. his eloquence, his ability to explain concepts and conceptualize old ideas for a new age is unparalleledif you are interested in jewish orthodxy and reconciling it with the "modern age", there is no better expositor than R Sacks. So tragic that he died relatively young, but his works live on, so read them all!

As a child, I was told stories of the BeshT, the Baal Shem Tov, and one of my most favourites forever was of an un-named tzadik, righteous person, sage who stood deep in prayer, with spiritual connections few could muster. As he prayed and connected with G-d, there passed by him a blind beggar, a poor barefoot child, a man with no legs who could only get around on a cart, a young crying starving woman with emaciated and barely clothed children. He cried out in his prayers, "Merciful Master of the Universe, all of this pain and suffering in your world! Why don't you DO something???" And out of the silence, G-d answered him, " I DID do something: I made YOU."Strange but thinking child that I was, I realized early that G-d gave us choice even beyond the choice of doing right or not right; He gave us the choice to DO SOMETHING, to partner with Him in doing good in the world, in fixing the world. G-d did not tell us what our 'rights' were, what He owed us, what everyone else owed us, but rather made clear to us, from the very beginning, that we as humans on this planet have RESPONSBILITIES, and that taking them on, or passing them to everyone else, is the human challenge and choice.Many give mention to, or rally the cry of, the concept of Tikun Olam, fixing the world, but it is beyond a quick phrase and is really a mandate for each and all of us, especially clear in the path of Judaism. We can either be part of the problem by letting it (suffering, pain, poverty, dispair, war, hunger, et al) continue, or we can be part of the solution.Rav Sachs sets out in his wonderful lucid intelligent prose, how each and all of us can and ought to be part of the solution, to contribute to fixing what needs to be fixed, from the neighbours on your street to the neighbours on the rest of the planet; how to heal our fractured world. It is not required of us to complete the task, but surely we ought not shirk from it. Let rav Sachs show you the way; Read this book, and join us.

In this extraordinary book written by a more than extraordinary man, we find the means, the tools, the philosophical wisdom and the source of courage to create a platform for ourselves to bring to fruition not only a better life for ourselves but to achieve and perpetuate a significant purpose for humanity encapsulated by the remarkable title: To Heal a Fractured World.Lord Sacks encourages and invites us to to embrace personal responsibility by viewing everyone as children of the same G-d and therefore responsible for all others whose very humanity makes them our spiritual brothers and sisters. To be responsible, opines the author, is to give from the heart thus making this world a place of love and healing.He provides several examples of men, women and children who became exemplars of the way of looking at and living life. All are inspirations, just as is the author himself.You will never forget that you have read this book. Perhaps you may never be the same.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has won five National Jewish Book Awards."To Heal a Fractured World" is not one of those five. But, for my money, it's the best and most important book he has written.This book is a powerful antidote to a disturbing trend in which Orthodox Judaism has become more and more concerned about the details of halachic observance and less about Jewish values and ethics.It's a classic case of losing sight of the forest through the trees.Along comes Rabbi Sacks to remind us that Judaism's principal objective is to create an ideal, peaceful, compassionate society and that we each have our role to play as God's partners.Sacks does not dismiss the importance of halachah or rituals. But he clearly recognizes that, at this point in history, Judaism needs a stronger emphasis on, as he puts it, "the ethics of responsibility."As he notes, the Hebrew word for "responsibility" is achrayut, which comes from "acher," which means "other."This book is a clarion call to focus our attention and efforts on the needs of others. And, by others, the Torah means both people and animals.

Fabulous! A tremendous insight into the essence of the Jewish faith and how it has come to be what it has through the centuries. Early on he shares that the book was originally written as a wedding gift for his son and daughter-in-law. What an amazing man that would show his love in this manner - and then share it with the world.What a gift for sharing the faith! It is engaging at an incredible level. At times, it was like reading a really good novel, I couldn't wait to read what came next.I will share that I am a Christian by faith and this book gave me an even deeper appreciation for what we call the Old Testament otherwise known as the Hebrew Bible. I finished the book with an overwhelming sense of gratitude - for both our ancient fathers in the faith and for Rabbi Sacks. I imagine Jewish readers will feel the same.

A Jewish philosophy for all faiths.

Fabulons book as All the Jonhathan Sachs ' s Brooks. Than you.

Good book guide!

I bought the book used and it looked like new. Can't put it down. I love it.

Many great quotes and phrases are published here. Great book