If you are looking for a book that intensely delves into the ethical aspects of responsibility, then, How to Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is definitely the book for you. Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks is a well-respected within the Jewish community, the religious community as a whole, and the philosophy and theological world. His insightful books leave one to ponder many issues.

How to Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility is an intense book, that guides the reader on a journey towards the fundamental and spiritual aspects of responsibility. It teaches us how we can live in today’s world within the ethical extracts and properties he sets out for us. He guides us along the road towards fulfilling and understanding our part in the scheme of obligation, as individuals, not just as a person who is part of a community. He teaches us about the burdens of responsibility, yet strongly implies that it is our duty to be individuals of substance, moral and ethical courage and demeanor. Some burdens are necessary, and need to be carried, as we travel through life.

Rabbi Sir Sacks, with compelling prose, educates us to be aware that our attitude towards others, dynamics and interactions aren’t complete without the borders of responsibility reflected both internally and externally. We need to expand those boundaries, open our hearts to the ethical core, and reach out to humankind. The Jewish community has a pact or covenant with G-d, and part of the structure of that pact includes “repairing the world”, or making life a bit easier for other individuals. From social action and justice, to the goodness we can extend to humanity, we have an obligation to bring positivity and goodness into the world. With this train of thought, not only do we help others, but we help ourselves. We feel good about ourselves. We bring dimension and meaning into our own lives.

How to Heal a Fractured World: The Ethics of Responsibility, by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, is a compelling book, and one that belongs in every household, Jewish or otherwise. Through stories, Torah, Talmud, and Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks’ teachings, we can overcome much of the negative dynamics in our lives through the positive actions we take. The message is strong, filled with clarity, and one that is illuminating. Without an ethical foundation, humanity’s cry goes unheard. We hold an ethical and moral responsibility for each other, for all of mankind. We are one minute force in the global whole. Yet our minute presence can emit a shower of radiance to others, and send a warm glow of caring to their hearts.

“We are but a flicker in the candle of time.” (Quote by Jew Wishes) We need to let our flicker illuminate and radiate to its fullest potential, spreading the flame far and wide.
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On this Shabbat, try to think of what ethical responsibility means to you.

Shabbat Shalom to you all!
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Yom Kippur is almost upon us. The day is almost at hand when the shofar will sound. It would be nice if we could hang our hearts out towards all those who we feel we might have wronged in some way, and acknowledged to them we were sorry for what we did or said, etc., and asked for their forgiveness.

In doing so, we will then be able to free ourselves, emotionally and spirituality from the burden/s we’ve been holding in, by then asking G-d to forgive us.

Just as important, it is a step towards forgiving ourselves.
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Friday September 25, 2009 – 7 Tishrei, 5770