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Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi who reached out beyond the UK Jewish community to the general public, died of cancer at the age of 72.
His death on Saturday morning was announced on his Twitter account after the end of Shabbat, the Jewish Saturday. Orthodox Jews do not use the Internet or telephones for 24 hours between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday.
Sacks was the Orthodox Chief Rabbi for 22 years until 2013, and was named a companion for life in 2009.
But his regular Thought for the Day broadcasts on BBC Radio 4’s Today show and newspaper articles ensured that he reached a wide audience for his views on Jewish values in the 21st century.
He also wrote more than 30 books, the most recent, Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times, published earlier this year.
Sacks announced that he was being treated for unspecified cancer three weeks ago, having been successfully treated for the disease twice earlier in his life.
Her office said: “You remain positive and optimistic and will now spend a period of time focused on the treatment you are receiving from your excellent medical team. He hopes to get back to work as soon as possible. “
Marie van der Zyl, Chairperson of the British Jewish Board of Deputies, said: “We are shocked by the news of the passing of Rabbi Lord Sacks. He was a giant of both the Jewish community and society in general. His astonishing intellect and courageous moral voice were a blessing to all who encountered him in person, in writing, or by radio.
“His outstanding tenure as Chief Rabbi led to a revolution in Jewish life and learning that has ensured that his legacy passes not only through his own beloved family, but also through generations of young people in our community.”
Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, said Sacks had been “an imposing intellect whose eloquence, insight and friendliness reached far beyond the Jewish community. I have no doubt that his legacy will last for many generations. “
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, said Sacks was “a giant of the world’s Jews and we will really miss him. His erudition and speaking skills were unparalleled and he has been an inspiration to an entire generation, regardless of faith. “
Nick Baines, the Anglican Bishop of Leeds, was one of the first to pay tribute on social media, tweeting: “Very, very sad news. A giant is gone. Condolences to our Jewish friends, but far beyond as well … I owe him a great debt, culturally, spiritually and intellectually. Very sad and a massive loss to the country. “
Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid said: “Today the world lost a rabbi, a lord, a wonderful philosopher. The world will miss him, I will miss him. “
Sacks repeatedly warned of rising anti-Semitism, telling the House of Lords last year that “there is hardly a country in the world, certainly not a single country in Europe, where Jews feel safe” and that societies who tolerate anti-Semitism have “lost all moral credibility.” .
In a speech three years ago, Sacks said that a “politics of anger” and a “culture of grievances” were corroding American society.
The former Chief Rabbi was a friend of the royal family, and the Prince of Wales described him at the end of his time as Chief Rabbi as a “light to this nation”, “a faithful friend” and “a valuable adviser”. Sacks attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
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