These two rabbis had many things in common. While they were both brilliant men and deeply entrenched in scholarship, they were also driven to bring ancient Jewish wisdom to the masses and held the value of education at their core. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, they were both inspired and profoundly influenced by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Rabbi Sacks was fond of saying about him that while good leaders create followers, great leaders create leaders.
Rabbi Steinsaltz and Rabbi Sacks have left thousands of students mourning their loss. We who include ourselves in their number, must stand up and take on the mantle of continuing their legacies as Jewish leaders.
In the Covenant & Conversation commentary essay for the parsha of his shiva week (Parshat Chayei Sarah) Rabbi Sacks explores Avraham’s faith in the covenant and promises that he has received from God, despite only experiencing the very beginning of their fulfillment in his lifetime. Rabbi Sacks concludes the essay with these words:
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
We must see this as a call to us to continue the work of these rabbinic leaders through our own leadership, and thereby safeguarding their legacies.
Resources
You can find various resources for Jewish education and learning from the legacies of Rabbi Steinsaltz and Rabbi Sacks here:- The Steinsaltz Center website has various resources including materials written by Rabbi Steinsaltz
- The Steinsaltz English commentary on the Talmud can be accessed at Sefaria.org
- The Office of Rabbi Sacks website has many resources and writings from Rabbi Sacks. The educational resources based on his teachings are especially useful.
- Many videos of Rabbi Sacks speeches and interviews can be found on his Youtube channel. You may find the animated videos presenting many of his ideas especially useful resources.