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Lessons in Leadership: A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible
In this companion volume to his celebrated series Covenant & Conversation, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks mines the weekly Torah portions for insights into the nature of power, authority, and leadership. Based on the understanding that no man is born a leader, the book explores the principles, and perils, of becoming one. Profound, eloquent, and deeply inspiring, Lessons in Leadership reveals the biblical secrets of influence, as relevant now as they were three thousand years ago.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2015
212 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Sacks
224 books442 followersRabbi Lord Jonathan Henry Sacks was the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. His Hebrew name was Yaakov Zvi.
Serving as the chief rabbi in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, Sacks gained fame both in the secular world and in Jewish circles. He was a sought-after voice on issues of war and peace, religious fundamentalism, ethics, and the relationship between science and religion, among other topics. Sacks wrote more than 20 books.
Rabbi Sacks died November 2020 after a short bout with cancer. He was 72.
Serving as the chief rabbi in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, Sacks gained fame both in the secular world and in Jewish circles. He was a sought-after voice on issues of war and peace, religious fundamentalism, ethics, and the relationship between science and religion, among other topics. Sacks wrote more than 20 books.
Rabbi Sacks died November 2020 after a short bout with cancer. He was 72.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 6, 2016
Unquestionably the best leadership book I've ever read. It's full of beautiful and meaningful insight into what makes leaders great and how we can all be leaders using the oldest text in monotheism as the foundation.
A philosopher and rabbi, Jonathan Sacks was the chief Rabbi of the U.K. for decades and so it is surprising (and refreshing) to hear him say that "it was fascinating to discover how much of the Torah is, in fact, about leadership, not in the narrow sense of holding formal office, but rather as a general approach to life."
For Rabbi Sacks, leadership is for all of us. But it is also about character and kindness, moral courage and most importantly learning. "It is not their victories that make people leaders; it is the way they cope with their defeats – their ability to learn, to recover, and to grow."
In many ways his thinking on leadership is more thoughtful and nuanced than most writers. For him, leadership isn't really much about us. It's a collaborative effort that is primarily focused on others and making others better. "A good leader creates followers. A great leader creates leaders," he says.
Sacks also imbues leadership with holy qualities. Leaders are visionaries, but perhaps even more importantly, leadership has the potential to leave behind long lived change. "Leaders see the destination, begin the journey, and leave behind them those who will continue it. That is enough to endow a life with immortality."
This is unquestionably a book written through a Jewish lens, but it's leadership insight is powerful for everyone. Sacks is an eloquent and succinct writer and each section of the book (which is organized around the weekly portions of the Torah that the Jewish world studies each week) ends with a powerfully summarized lesson in leadership. For example, in explaining why hope and empowerment are both important leadership skills he says "It is the task of a leader to empower, but it is also his or her task to inspire."
Much of this may seem obvious, but put in the context of a call for moral leadership it is tremendously powerful.
One of the best books I've read this year and the most inspirational.
A philosopher and rabbi, Jonathan Sacks was the chief Rabbi of the U.K. for decades and so it is surprising (and refreshing) to hear him say that "it was fascinating to discover how much of the Torah is, in fact, about leadership, not in the narrow sense of holding formal office, but rather as a general approach to life."
For Rabbi Sacks, leadership is for all of us. But it is also about character and kindness, moral courage and most importantly learning. "It is not their victories that make people leaders; it is the way they cope with their defeats – their ability to learn, to recover, and to grow."
In many ways his thinking on leadership is more thoughtful and nuanced than most writers. For him, leadership isn't really much about us. It's a collaborative effort that is primarily focused on others and making others better. "A good leader creates followers. A great leader creates leaders," he says.
Sacks also imbues leadership with holy qualities. Leaders are visionaries, but perhaps even more importantly, leadership has the potential to leave behind long lived change. "Leaders see the destination, begin the journey, and leave behind them those who will continue it. That is enough to endow a life with immortality."
This is unquestionably a book written through a Jewish lens, but it's leadership insight is powerful for everyone. Sacks is an eloquent and succinct writer and each section of the book (which is organized around the weekly portions of the Torah that the Jewish world studies each week) ends with a powerfully summarized lesson in leadership. For example, in explaining why hope and empowerment are both important leadership skills he says "It is the task of a leader to empower, but it is also his or her task to inspire."
Much of this may seem obvious, but put in the context of a call for moral leadership it is tremendously powerful.
One of the best books I've read this year and the most inspirational.
May 25, 2025
Had to take a chapter every few days.
This book is fantastic, especially when meditated and applied. Many things affirming for me, in my own journey, studies, and leadership, and many things new.
Applicable to more than just Jews, this book is a must read for leaders, especially young.
Don’t read through it quick. Meditate and apply.
Ultimately, my favourite quote below sums the book beautifully.
“The deepest mystery of all is not our faith in God but God’s faith in us. May that faith sustain us as we heed the call to responsibility and take the risk of healing some of the needless wounds of an injured but still wondrous world.”
This book is fantastic, especially when meditated and applied. Many things affirming for me, in my own journey, studies, and leadership, and many things new.
Applicable to more than just Jews, this book is a must read for leaders, especially young.
Don’t read through it quick. Meditate and apply.
Ultimately, my favourite quote below sums the book beautifully.
“The deepest mystery of all is not our faith in God but God’s faith in us. May that faith sustain us as we heed the call to responsibility and take the risk of healing some of the needless wounds of an injured but still wondrous world.”
October 6, 2023
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes a short essay for each Torah portion with a focus on what it teaches us about leadership. I read it over a year and found it really contributed to my appreciation of Torah and leadership. I expect I will be coming back to over the years and am really glad I was gifted a copy.
I strongly recommend that readers start with the Forward and Introduction -- it really explains the purpose of the book and will make a reading much more powerful.
I strongly recommend that readers start with the Forward and Introduction -- it really explains the purpose of the book and will make a reading much more powerful.
December 11, 2022
We've been reading this at our Shabbat meals, and every essay is a gem. Sacks had such insight into people, ethics, and -- in this case, leadership! The world is a poorer place with his loss. Every week we discuss how his lessons are spot-on, empowering, and wise.
October 10, 2017
Rabbi Sacks is a powerful writer. I learn so much from him!
January 1, 2018
Very Good!
Enjoyed this different take on leadership, through the lens and examples of the Old Testament. Very good read and highly recommended.
Enjoyed this different take on leadership, through the lens and examples of the Old Testament. Very good read and highly recommended.
November 13, 2018
Simply brilliant. I'll return to it again and again.
May 12, 2021
Wise and wonderful insights on Leadership, the Pentateuch and what it means to be among God’s people. Whichever of these you’re most interested in, Lessons in Leadership is well worth the read.
May 20, 2021
Increible
November 25, 2022
Fantastic... Probably my favorite Parashah book
Read
June 29, 2023Very insightful thoughts to process
July 12, 2024
A spectacular book on leadership in the Torah! I was moved by Rabbi Sacks’ writing which was deeply theological and practical. I will certainly turn to this book again and again.
November 25, 2024
Great collection of relatively short essays, each highlighting a value reflected in the weekly Torah portion.
April 4, 2025
this is a must read for everyone, who wants a deep inside in real leadership!
July 12, 2016
Amazing Book!
Read
April 6, 2016Review by Yaakov (Jack) Bieler for the Jewish Book Council.
October 25, 2021
Rabbi Sacks always has a way of pulling the meaning out of the Torah that I would otherwise miss.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews