By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of Britain who is one of the leading thinkers and speakers of Jewish teachings today, has been recently diagnosed with cancer.
A spokesperson for the Office of Rabbi Sacks made the announcement on Thursday, 15th October 2020 and said the rabbi is currently undergoing treatment to aid his recovery.
An international religious leader, philosopher, award-winning author and respected moral voice, Rabbi Sacks served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years, from 1991 and 2013.
In 1996, he authored “Torah Studies: A Parsha Anthology,” based on the sichos of the Rebbe who had a lasting influence on his life since encouraging him to become a leader in the Jewish community in his youth.
Rabbi Sacks told about his encounter with the Rebbe during his recent interview on the “From the Inside Out” hosted by Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein.
Rabbi Sacks was awarded the 2016 Templeton Prize in recognition of his “exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension” and is a frequent and sought-after contributor to radio, television and the press both in Britain and around the world.
His spokesperson said that Rabbi Sacks, 72, “remains positive and upbeat and will now spend a period of time focused on the treatment he is receiving from his excellent medical team.”
“He is looking forward to returning to his work as soon as possible,” his spokesperson added.
The name to have in mind during prayers is Yaakov Zvi ben Liba.
refua shelima
מתפללים לרפואה שלימה ונשמע בשורות טובות
Oyyy horrible be should have a fast recovery he is a great man
As frum yiddin we were always careful not to use that word and exchange it with the words “yener machla” (that sickness) so as not to give koach (power) to the sickness!
May he have a refuse sheleima!
Refuah shleimah
He should have a complete recovery very soon!! I’ve read his work before and my father has told it over many times at the shabbos tish. He speaks very eloquently
As an extraordinary (perhaps uniquely appreciated and respected) teacher to every facet of the Jewish people, he has the heartfelt תפילות and ברכות of all of כלל ישראל. May he have a complete and speedy recovery so he may continue to inspire and mentor all of us with great wisdom, love and vigor. I certainly will include his chapter of Tehilim in my daily Tehilim בל”נ. I’d like to recommend that all חב”ד shuls make a מי שברך for him (each Shabbos) until he has healed. I’m sure that this would give him חיזוק if he was informed of this.… Read more »
My first concern after the friday shacharit, every week, is to find the קרוב אליך shul divrei torah where rabbi Sacks writes his remarkable dvar torah that I am happy to transfer to my wife, children and guests. Sometimes I repeat it on the other shabbat meals to my parents and my wife’s parents. I have those divrei torah from previous years and it is a joy to reread it again and again. Therefore I wish rabbi Sacks to continue this very important project for many many years in health. We pray for your health. Shabbat shalom from Yerushalayim
What is his mother’s Hebrew name? Refua shlayma to a great scholar.