Teshuvah, the High Holy Days and the book of Devarim in the thought of Rabbi Sacks.

 

I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine. — Song of Songs 6:3

G-d believes in us more than we believe in ourselves. — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z’l

 

This time of year – the month of Elul and the High Holy Days – is filled with energy, emotion and self-contemplation, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote much about it, whether in his machzorim (prayer books) or in articles and books on the subject. It is also the time of the year when we read the last, fifth book of the Torah – Sefer Devarim. Is there a connection between the two, and if so, how does it help us approach G-d, and our own selves, during this time?

Join Ilana Stein as, inspired by the Covenant and Continuity series of the London School of Jewish Studies, we reflect on some of Rabbi Sacks’ favourite themes, such as self-change, faith, love, hope, spirituality, and forgiveness, and his flair for interweaving text and philosophy, love of G-d and humanity – and ultimately his love of words – devarim.