Former British Chief Rabbi dies at age 72 of cancer • Engaged in Jewish thought and has won many degrees from institutions around the world • MK Bennett: "Great loss"
"A man of spirit with a world status, a Jew and a proud Zionist"
Photography:
Lior Mizrahi
Rabbi Yonatan Zacks, the former Chief Rabbi of Britain, one of the most important Jewish rabbis and thinkers of our time, passed away during the Sabbath after a battle with cancer.
A statement written on Rabbi Zacks' official Twitter account read: "Baruch Dayan Emet. With deepest sadness we announce that Rabbi Lord Yonatan Zacks passed away early in the morning."
Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet.
It with the deepest sadness that we regret to inform you that Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (HaRav Ya'akov Zvi ben David Arieh z''l) passed away early this morning, Saturday 7th November 2020 (Shabbat Kodesh 20th MarCheshvan 5781).
- Rabbi Sacks (@rabbisacks) November 7, 2020
Rabbi Professor Lord Sachs, born in 1948, has been one of the most significant figures when it comes to Jewish thought in recent decades.
He has authored about twenty books in which he has unfolded a particularly broad worldview on the Western world with an emphasis on religions.
His latest book Morality - Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times was published this year.
He was ordained a rabbi at the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in London by the late Rabbi Nahum Rabinovich, and also holds a doctorate from King's College London. In 1991 he was appointed Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, and established strong ties with state leaders. In 2005 he was awarded a knighthood. And was crowned Baron Sachs Maldgate in 2009. In 2012 he retired as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and served until his death as a professor at King's College London, New York University and Yeshiva University. Glasgow, Haifa, Bar Ilan, etc. In 2016, he won the Templeton Prize for his extraordinary contribution to the spiritual dimension of the world.
Archive // Interviewer: Hanan Greenwood, Photography: Moshe Ben Simhon
In an interview with "Israel Today" about two years ago, he addressed the question of whether there is a rift between Israel and Diaspora Jewry.
"All the arguments about this or that rift are examples of a desire for power. The Jews have lost the art of arguing and trying to solve problems by using force. It's boring, non - Jewish and not creative. Are they willing to change? Probably not. But these arguments lead nowhere." , said.
"There is no problem that cannot be solved in Judaism, but first you have to want it," said Rabbi Zacks.
"Ask how many psychologists it takes to replace a light bulb. The answer is 'only one', but first of all the light bulb needs to change. All problems are solved if the parties agree to change. One side will not get everything it wants, and if we just reshape some of the disputed issues we will solve them all. ".
About two weeks ago, Rabbi Zacks' men announced that he had cancer.
"Rabbi Sir Yonatan Zvi Zacks has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatments to help him recover. The rabbi is positive and energetic. He will now spend some time focusing on recovering from the disease.
"His death will leave a huge void"
Upon learning of the death of Rabbi Zacks, MK Naftali Bennett said: "Rabbi Yonatan Zacks was one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the last generation.
His teaching was deep and broad.
A Torah that knew how to deal with the complexity of man demanding his God and living in an accomplished and fast-paced Western world.
How much he loved every Jew.
A great loss to the Jewish people, to British Jewry and to the world of Torah and righteous wisdom. "
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid: "I once told him he was the only man I would be happy to be my Rebbe.
He laughed and agreed to take on the role.
Today the rabbi, lord and miraculous philosopher Jonathan Zacks passed away.
He will be missed forever and I will miss him. "
"He was a dear friend," said Jewish Agency Chairman Yitzhak (Buzi) Herzog. "A man of world-class, Jewish and Zionist status.
My condolences to his family and the Jewish community in Britain.
It's a pity for Davdin and not to be forgotten. "
Members of the Gesher organization, which works to strengthen ties with Diaspora Jewry, "bowed their heads in the sadness of the evening, due to the untimely death of Rabbi Yonatan Zacks, 'Patron' of the Gesher organization for many years and a dear friend. , Not only for tens of thousands of Jews but a moral voice for the whole world.
"Rabbi Zacks has worked over the years to connect and strengthen the connection between the different parts of the people and the Jews of the Diaspora and the State of Israel and he has been an inspiration for all of us. We all hope that through the peace and brotherhood As the rabbi increased to do all his life. "
Participated in the preparation of the article: Dan Lavie and Ariel Kahana