PUBLISHING – Five books by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks translated into Italian
Five years after the death of rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020), five books will be published in Italy to share the spiritual and philosophical legacy of this “worldwide recognized religious figure, philosopher, and moral voice of our times.” This is the goal of Alleanza e conversazione (Alliance and Conversation), a project promoted by Giuntina, the same publisher that translated the rabbi’s interpretations of the five books of the Torah. Giuntina considers them “one of the most significant contributions to contemporary Jewish belief.”
Rabbi Sacks wrote more than 25 books, many of which were editorial successes. Two were already in the publisher’s catalog. Non nel nome di Dio (Not in God’s Name) addresses the dangers of religious extremism. “Too many times in history, people have killed in the name of the God of life, started wars in the name of the God of peace, hated in the name of the God of love, and used cruelty in the name of the God of compassion,” writes rav Sacks. In the book Moralità(Morality), rabbi Sacks wonders how to restore the common good in a time of fractures and divisions, promoting a message of reasonable hope for the future, not naïve optimism.
The Torah has always been his guiding light. According to Giuntina, the upcoming publishing collection expresses the fulcrum of his approach. “Alliance as a bond that unites human beings to a higher principle and conversation as an everlasting dialogue between generations and different worldviews.”
The Project Alliance and Conversation is an invitation to read the Torah “not only as the founding book of the Jewish tradition, but as part of a wider reflection on ethics, responsibility, and the meaning of existence.” The project began with Genesi (Genesis), published on September 12. The other four books will be published every three months: Exodus on December 12; Leviticus on March 12, 2026; Numbers on June 12; and Deuteronomy on September 12.
“This project arises from the perception that Sacks already has a strong relationship with readers, not only in the Jewish world. It is almost affectionate,” explained publisher Shulim Vogelmann to Pagine Ebraiche. “Sacks was a moral compass who could speak clearly. On the one side, he expressed a strong identity. On the other, he had an amazing ability to universalize his messages for a larger public.”
According to Vogelmann, “In these trying times, his voice is missed in the debate, especially considering the fracture we observe between the Jewish world and part of society. At some point, we will need to rebuild bridges, at least editorially, and this is a step in that direction.” He also added that this is important because “Genesis, like all of the Torah, is a shared book and a means of reconciliation.”
The publishing series dedicated to Sacks is supported by the project to translate the Babylonian Talmud into Italian. Vogelmann said “it is part of a series of publications meant to present the pillars of Jewish culture and tradition to readers.” “Sacks has done this masterfully all his life, as evidenced by the countless recognitions he has received for the complexity of his thought and his ability to stay current.” These acknowledgments include 16 honorary degrees and the title of Baron, conferred upon him by Queen Elizabeth II. During a visit to Rome in December 2011, Rabbi Sacks spoke with Pagine Ebraiche about the central role of words in Jewish tradition. For example, in Bereshit/Genesis, “when they talk about the famous Tower of Babel and the confusion of languages,” or in the Torah, “when there is a reference to the brothers’ hatred toward Joseph and the necessity of ‘ledaber be-shalom’ (talking peacefully). The Rav emphasized that language and words “are part of the destiny of the Jewish people.”
Translated by Rebecca Luna Escobar and revised by Matilde Bortolussi, students at the Advanced School for Interpreters and Translators of the University of Trieste, trainees in the newsroom of the Union of the Italian Jewish Communities — Pagine Ebraiche.