Article published by Iton Gadol on June 16, 2022
Last Thursday, June 10, Menora presented the Spanish version of the book “Morality”, by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020), who was Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, world-renowned writer and philosopher. The Spanish version has a foreword by Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca.
The evening’s guest of honor was the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Kirsty Hayes.
In “Morality,” respected religious leader and public intellectual Jonathan Sacks traces the current crisis to our loss of a strong, shared moral code and our elevation of self-interest over the greater good. Sacks demonstrates that there is no freedom without morality and no freedom without responsibility, arguing that we all must play our part in rebuilding a common moral foundation.
Chief Rabbi Sacca explained that presentations like the one of this book are part of Menora projects. “These books turn young people into positive people for society. We create a social environment so that young people can grow up with a positive spirit, on the path of work, respect, and the construction of a better society”, he highlighted.
Next, Sacca explained that we live in a society that progresses from the scientific and technological point of view, but from the point of view of coexistence and harmony, we do not advance to the same extent, and every so often we have a setback in that aspect of morality.
“One misstep can be catastrophic for humanity. If human beings do not find strategies to live each with their idea, each with their individuality, but also respecting what is collective, pluralism, then no matter how much technological development we have, we will not be able to survive as a society” – the Chief Rabbi stressed.
Rabbi Sacca added, “A person with moral and ethical conduct is a person who contributes to the good of society, he is someone who is not going to attack others. However, a person without the basis of morality, even though he knows everything about science or technology, can become the worst enemy of society, especially if he is very involved with his ideology and puts it above morality. Judaism teaches that morality and ethics come before religion. Noah’s seven commandments are universal to all. If we don’t have morals and ethics, good education and manners, what is the use of ideology?”
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom expressed:
“Rabbi Sacks was obviously a Jewish intellectual and he was also a British personality, which is why I am here sharing this dinner with you. Nonetheless, being Jewish and British are not characteristics that end up defining him, since his area of influence was universal. As Prime Minister Boris Johnson said when the news of his passing was announced in November 2020: “His leadership had a profound impact across our country and around the world.”
Today we are here to present the Spanish translation of his latest book “Morality”. Reading some phrases from this book, I came across one that I would like to highlight: ‘Health is not about never getting sick; it is about the ability to recover’.
In addition to Rabbi Sacca and his wife, on behalf of Menora were Rabbi Gabriel Sacca, director of Menora, and his wife Laura, and Rabbi Shelo Sacca, director of the Edmond J. Safra Study Center of Menora. León Halac and his wife Claudia were also hosts, since they were the promoters of the realization of the Spanish version.
Source: www.itongadol.com
