No Spare Jews

No Spare Jews

Author: Tradition Online August 2, 2026 Duration: 38:31
Late last year TRADITION published our largest issue ever—350+ page volume on the intellectual legacy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt”l, released in cooperation with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy on the occasion of his 5th yahrzeit. Among that collection’s many essays exploring R. Sacks’ thought is a particularly pertinent one titled  “Inclusive Orthodoxy: Vision, Context and Connections” by Rabbi Dr. Benjamin J. Elton, who serves as the Chief Minister and Senior Rabbi of The Great Synagogue in Sydney, Australia. Inclusive Orthodox Judaism was an idea that Sacks championed during his tenure as Chief Rabbi of Britain, and Elton’s essay lays out this conception of inclusion—its roots and sources, its possible flaws, alternative models and how they differ from Sacks’ vision. In this conversation Elton recalls hearing someone say “We have no spare Jews, so if our common boat is too small we best better builder a bigger boat.” That was so on point that we chose it as the title for this episode, which also touches on issues of Jewish unity since October 7th, and—for R. Elton’s community of Sydney—since the Bondi Beach massacre of last December. Read the entire special issue on Rabbi Sacks’ intellectual legacy open access at TraditionOnline.org, order a hard copy to have in your library, and renew your subscription to our quarterly print journal.   The post No Spare Jews appeared first on Tradition Online.

The Tradition Podcast extends the deep, considered conversation of its long-standing journal into an audio format. Each episode draws from the rich well of Orthodox Jewish thought, but frames these ideas for a contemporary listener grappling with modern questions. You'll hear discussions that sit at the intersection of ancient texts and present-day life, where timeless philosophy meets current ethical dilemmas, historical context informs cultural shifts, and spiritual inquiry finds practical expression. This isn't about delivering simple answers, but rather exploring the nuanced arguments and diverse perspectives that have defined a living tradition for centuries. The podcast naturally delves into the same rigorous topics as the journal-Jewish law, theology, societal trends, and moral philosophy-but with the accessible, engaging flow of a spoken dialogue. It’s for anyone curious about how a vibrant intellectual and religious tradition navigates the complexities of the human experience, offering thoughtful reflection that resonates far beyond the page. Tune in for a series that honors the depth of its source material while creating a new space for auditory learning and reflection.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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