The 20th of Cheshvan is the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Rabbi Sacks was born in 1948. He was one of the most significant forces in 21st century Jewish philosophy. In his extensive speaking engagements, and in the 25 books he wrote on Jewish faith in the modern world, he sought to create a bridge among religions while making Jewish thought readily accessible.
Rabbi Sacks was the recipient of honorary doctorates from many universities as well as many other prestigious prizes and awards. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth thus adding the title “Lord” to his name.
Rabbi Sack told the story of when he was a young student and heard of Jerusalem’s liberation in the 1967 Six Day War. He felt he had to come and see it for himself. When he arrived, he remembered the story of Rabbi Akiva laughing upon seeing foxes walking upon Temple Mount, secure in the belief that if this part of the prophecy came true, so would the part that spoke of Jerusalem being rebuilt.
“And then I suddenly realised, of course he would still have believed, because Jews would never give up hope of Jerusalem. We never allowed it to escape our minds… And I realised that a people who could never forget this holy city must one day come back. And as I stood there, soon after the Six Day War, I suddenly realised that faith brought back Jews to Jerusalem, and will one day rebuild its ruins. That is the most powerful testimony of faith I know.”
The Rabbi saw Jerusalem as a place that linked the different sectors in the Jewish nation, and a place where hope emerges and faith is strengthened. He made great efforts to connect the Jewish nation with itself and to connect Diaspora Jews with the State of Israel.
May his memory be a blessing.
📸‘The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust