One of the best books I have listened to

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I thoroughly enjoyed this audible book.
Fairly new to Girardian though as well and this just put the icing on the cake so to speak.
I loved the Jewishness, history and wisdom as also the stories of the other.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Not in God's Name?

The concept of meta-narrative and subversion to sibling rivalry.
Inclusion and otherness as paramount to us moving forward.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

That Egypt is your brother. Wow!

Any additional comments?

Beautiful book, one I have gifted already three times to others. I would say that for me it is the best book I have read or listened to.

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Wonderful, insightful and greatly needed in today’s climate

Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, has done a tremendous job of advocating for peace and tolerance in our world - regardless of faith and belief.

Sadly as I was reading (listening to) this book, the NZ terror attack occurred, shortly followed by one in Holland. It struck home that this book is greatly needed in today’s climate.

Rabbi Sacks does a brilliant job of linking the holy texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam together. Clearly as a rabbi he is Jewish, but he does not admonish the other monotheist faiths, rather embraces them respectfully in an eloquent manner.

The first part of the book focuses not only on biblical texts but also on contemporary sociology, psychology and evolutionary theories. He has clearly studied, collated and understood key contemporary texts and weaved them into his book.

The second part focuses on sibling rivalry found in the Torah and he provides really insightful and sometimes surprising interpretations of these biblical stories we are all familiar with. It was this part I enjoyed most.

Rabbi Sacks also examines hatred and terrorism and uses anti-semitism as an example. I don’t think he needs to apologise for using this (he does several times in his book). Anti-semitism is an ongoing and extremely problematic issue and one that has been present in most, if not all, societies for thousands of years. Sadly, we find that what happens to the Jewish People, will often happen to other nations/groups later on. History has shown this.

The book really does make you question your self talk and your own prejudices. He encourages us to see each other as human and not “us” and “them”. He argues that faith in G-d should unite us and we can embrace difference. I know I’ve caught my thoughts recently and self talking - why do I think that about group X? Why do I feel that about group Y?

Overall, I think this is a well-researched, thorough and meaningful book that I would highly recommend!

I am looking forward to the Audible book release of Morality also by Rabbi Sacks soon!

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The Essence of the Truth of Humanity

This is a timely wake up call to all humanity. Beautifully written, with truths that cannot be disputed due to their underlying essence of the basic nature of God given humanity. It is rather long winded but the message Sacks professes is worthy of essential reading. How wonderful it would be if other leaders of Abrahamic faiths were to join their voices with Jonathan Sacks in a call to make religion “a part of the solution, not the problem” in an effort to save God’s beautiful humanity.

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A book for our time

Magnificent construction of the challenge we face, why we face it and what we can do about it. Accessible to all people of faith and those who profess none

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