Genesis: The Book of Beginnings (Covenant & Conversatio… (2025)

Marty Solomon

154 reviews518 followers

January 12, 2024

A fantastic companion for any parashah study from a wonderful Jewish teacher, one of the best of our age, the late Rabbi Sacks.

Sacks provides a handful of essays for each weekly Torah reading. The essays are short and easy to take in, while also being full of deep Jewish wisdom and insight. Well-written and beautifully able to provoke thought, these ideas are the perfect balance of ancient Jewish wisdom and tradition, along with great textual examination and relevant critical thinking for our own context.

I look forward to the other books that will lead me through the rest of the Humash in this Covenant and Conversation series.

Julie Davis

Author5 books301 followers

May 4, 2021

Each week, synagogues around the world read a section from the Torah (the five books of Moses). The cycle begins with Genesis and ends with the last verses of Deuteronomy 12 months later. The Covenant & Conversation series has essays commenting on each of the weekly readings.

These essays are by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks who was the Chief Rabbi of the U.K. for some 20 years. I'd read his editorials occasionally in the Wall Street Journal and always found them insightful, inspirational, and down to earth. When I discovered he'd done this series I began at the beginning with Genesis. What I found was a work of genius.

These essays have the same easy style I remembered while giving indepth, brilliant, compassionate commentary that often surprised me and sometimes changed my whole perspective on a Biblical person or their actions. Sacks is good at comparing ancient and modern worldviews. This not only clarifies Biblical context but often shows just how different our current ideas are. These are stories about people and Sacks never forgets that. He looks at what Torah is showing us that is the same not only in those ancient times, but in our own lives. After all, the word of God is eternal, applying to all time and all people.

I learned new ways of looking deeper at familiar stories such as when Isaac is tricked into giving his blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. I found deeper sympathy and new insights into lesser characters. Who knew Tamar was not only crafty but also tactful? Or that Judah's encounter with Tamar led to a life-changing realization that helped him pass Joseph's test when the brothers all go to Egypt seeking grain? I already loved Tamar but now I have more sympathy and admiration for Judah's growth.

There is much here that resonates with the Catholic soul, simply because the Jews are our elder brothers in the faith. However, a Christian reading these essays will be sharply reminded that there is a Jewish way of thinking about the first five books of the Bible, and, indeed, about God and worship, which is particular to the Jewish people. That is a real cultural wake up call and one that I found sometimes jerking me to the realization that this is different. The thinking, the response to God and His call, the way of dealing with other people — it can be very different, while still being anchored in our common knowledge of the one, personal God.

A quick example is that I was surprised by the Jewish custom of reading Torah every year. Just like us! No, I realized. We're just like them. The first Christians were Jewish and I am well used to finding parts of Catholic liturgy that reflect they were patterned after those Christians' original faith. That was an easy mental adjustment, one that left me happy at another proof of our family ties.

Here are a few of the themes emphasized as being core parts of Judaism, which surprised me.

- Love of words and language, both as forms of worship and of what make us human.
-Treasuring children. "Ours is a supremely child-centered faith" says Sacks.
-God making space so that people can exercise free will and make mistakes.
-The importance of the land God gave them, of Israel.
-The Torah is meant to be heard, not read silently. "Judaism is supremely a religion of the ear, unlike all other ancient civilizations..." says Sacks.
-The necessity of the struggle to do God's will and of going one step more than we are asked.

These might seem like no brainers, reading this list. It's not that Catholicism doesn't have these elements but they don't define us the way that Sacks made clear they define the Jewish people. I found myself understanding a little better their pride at their indestructibility, the ancientness of their faith, and their role as God's chosen people.

There is a fair amount of midrash considered throughout. Midrash is textual study and interpretation of scripture that uses questions, examines what is left unsaid, and fills in with their own stories to form a running commentary. I'm not crazy about midrash as it can range far afield sometimes. I'm not Jewish so perhaps that is understandable. Sacks sometimes includes midrash in order to keep following the logical train of thought and sometimes so that he can introduce a different interpretation.

Quibbles about midrash aside, this is a work of genius. Highly recommended.

Jeanette

259 reviews

January 23, 2022

'Genesis, boek van het begin' is een boek waar ik veel van heb geleerd. Auteur Jonathan Sacks gaat in dit boek in op de personages uit het bijbelboek Genesis. Er worden veel mooie verbanden gelegd en verder valt op dat taal een prominente plaats heeft in de Thora.

Ik heb dit boek in de Nederlandse versie gelezen.

piet van genderen

277 reviews

February 17, 2022

Jonathan Sacks was opperrabbijn van Groot-Brittannië. In dit boek deelt hij zijn buitengewoon grote kennis over de joodse Tora. Hij legt uit, licht toe en verrast met overtuigende verbanden en analyses. Het prachtige eerste Bijbelboek krijgt hierdoor nog meer diepte en glans.

J.L.

Author1 book16 followers

August 9, 2019

Beautiful essays going through all the parashot of Genesis, the sort of book that is worth reading out loud to others, or slowly and quietly to yourself. I underlined a lot and enjoyed it immensely. There are a lot of theologians out there who have things to say that are good and true, but not very many who can say it beautifully. This one certainly manages to do that. I already bought the Exodus one. On the shelf with A.J. Heschel, G.K. Chesterton, and C.S. Lewis.

Pat

88 reviews11 followers

October 6, 2020

Fantastic book!

February 1, 2021

Title: Covenant & Conversation: Genesis: The Book of Beginnings
Author: Jonathan Sacks
Pages: 366
Year: 2009
Publisher: Koren Publishers Jerusalem
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
The writing style is easy for the lay person to comprehend. He gives gems of wisdom to ponder and questions that make me think long after I’ve put the book down. I thoroughly enjoy learning about the history of the Jewish people, their land and their faith. I’ve been shown that there is so much I don’t know about my own faith roots and will be forever grateful to Rabbi Sacks for enlightening the path. While I am a Christian, learning/reading from a Jewish perspective has given me new insight into my faith as well as Judaism. This book is interesting and will hold the reader’s attention without a problem. The chapters are 4-6 pages in length and not written for an academician (thank goodness!), so I was able to grasp concepts without a problem.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has written a wonderful book for Jews as well as non-Jews who want to learn more about the beginning of creation along with relevant, applicable truths for life today. I am not Jewish, but I am interested in learning about the roots of my Christian faith, which are founded and grounded in Judaism. Rabbi Sacks writes in a way that is engaging, understandable and current. He espouses many life truths that apply to everyone, as well as some for Jews alone. I have the entire Covenant & Conversation series and am currently reading the second book in the series, Exodus. I’m learning a lot from the rich truths of this learned man to whom God has gifted such a talent for writing.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

Bobbi

16 reviews

January 31, 2018

This book made Genesis come to life in a new way. The stories we are familiar with--the creation, the flood, the Tower of Babel, the birth of a nation through Abraham, and the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, read through the Jewish lens challenged me in many different ways. One of the things I especially loved about this book is the connection the author makes between the ancient writings and current world views. I was especially struck by the concept of all of humanity created in the Image of God. For me, this makes me evaluate the Christian viewpoint of being born "bad" and not "good". I was also challenged to look at time in a different way--not linear but rather as covenantal and to recognize the providence of God at work even when we have been given free choice. As a person who has always loved reading the stories of the Old Testament and especially Genesis, this book was a breath of new life.

Christian

581 reviews44 followers

February 15, 2018

Sacks delivers as you are used to him doing it. He obviously writes for a certain audience and within his usual topics. However this is not so much meant as criticism than rather reassuring. I like his existential, personal take on them hebrew bible and while he presents mostly well-known interpretations, the presentation is clear and thoughtfull. The only criticism I have (not considering that I'm not jewish anyway) is his repeated overgeneralizations but I guess that comes with it and his age. Recommended read for everyone who wants to read the hebrew bible in a systematic and intelligently commented manner.

    judaica to-buy-2016 to-buy-2017

Fred Eisenhut

303 reviews31 followers

October 3, 2018

This is a brilliant discussion of the book of Genesis written from the point of view of Orthodox Jewish thinking. It is highly useful for Christian theologians and biblical scholars. Rabbi Sacks reveals himself to be deeply read in many other fields of thought that he brings to his writing and I appreciate these insights.

    religion

Scott Fergusson

2 reviews

January 1, 2019

Deeply insightful and enjoyable to read

Rabbi Sacks has given us a real gift with this series. Thoughtful and sensitive, yet direct, his essays bring light and understanding to the scriptures. I have repeatedly stopped, and reread his words to fully understand his meaning and have been rewarded for it.

Albert Wrigglesworth

5 reviews

October 21, 2019

Understanding

Granted me a better, deeper understanding of why such a small scattered group of society for thousands of years, who have been borrowed from, stolen from, even hated enough to try and annihilate, having this type of leadership (such as this author) endure because of their hope.

Joshua Rex

147 reviews2 followers

June 9, 2021

As a Christian, I found Jewish insights into the Torah really enlightening and helpful. Johnathon takes familiar stories and breathes new life and meaning into them while also taking practical lessons for everyday life. It’s super readable for the layperson without sacrificing depth. One of the best commentaries/companions I’ve ever read, period.

Merel

89 reviews4 followers

December 9, 2023

Prachtige, zinvolle lezing van Genesis door Jonathan Sacks, opperrabijn van Groot-Brittannië. Hij toont hoe fundamenteel dit Bijbelse boek is, niet alleen voor de joodse religie, maar voor elk van ons als mens. Hij toont hoe antropologisch de Bijbelse teksten eigenlijk zijn en hoe actueel ze altijd zullen blijven.

Lezen en herlezen...

Richard

62 reviews1 follower

May 27, 2018

Fascinating and insightful reflections on Genesis

Rabbi Sacks offers an illuminating collection of essays on the major sections of Genesis. Written, of course, from a Jewish perspective, these essays offer reflections of great value to those of us who are Christian as well.

    exegesis theology

Charlene D.

5 reviews

January 13, 2020

Enlightening!

This book was enlightening, thought provoking, and challenging the understanding of my current view of biblical history. It raises questions I never thought about that challenges my current understanding and provides a new perspective to consider. I love these books be Rabbi Sacks! Absolutely life changing!

Muriel Singer

15 reviews

January 3, 2021

A guide on ethics and deeper understanding to the first book of Moses. One does not need to be religious to appreciate his insight and deeper understanding from one of the most read books in history.

Hadas Cooper

3 reviews1 follower

January 5, 2021

This collection of essays about the book of Genesis provides deep insight into Bereshit, the first book of the Torah. Sacks’ writing style is entirely graspable and easy to understand. Highly recommend for Jews and Christians alike, who want to understand the first book of the Torah.

Juan Ruiz

53 reviews

May 20, 2021

Increible. Profundo. Sacks simpatiza un como con el egalitarianismo, la justicia social, el aborto (este me sorprendió), etc. Aunque muy conservador y bíblico, hay cierto toque progresista y secularista en su pensamiento

Dustin

60 reviews1 follower

January 8, 2021

Excellent parashot commentary

Robert-Jan Van Amstel

15 reviews4 followers

March 31, 2021

Excellent book about one of my favorite Biblebooks: Genesis.
The way Sacks handles psychology, Jewish tradition and freshly reading the sacred texts is very inspiring.
Recommended book!

    christianity

Tristan Sherwin

Author2 books24 followers

May 11, 2021

This just oozes and overflows with insight and wisdom. I’ll definitely be investing in the remainder of this series.

Even as a Christian, I feel Rabbi Sacks commentary is an invaluable resource.

Vicky Victoria

3 reviews

May 23, 2021

Absolutely incredible book. Worth reading for someone who wants to change his mind on the stories he knows from a childhood. Or to uncover God from another side.

Martin Spence

64 reviews

June 6, 2021

Really fascinating reading Genesis and this Jewish commentary beside it..

Caitlin

6 reviews

January 7, 2023

There are so many golden nuggets of wisdom in here . Sacks has an ability to pull out the hidden text within the text

Jayde Schwerin

230 reviews1 follower

March 19, 2024

Brilliant! He was an author of note. May he rest in peace. A recommended read.

Kilian Metcalf

985 reviews24 followers

April 14, 2017

My rabbi tells me that Exodus is the book that begins the story of the Jewish people. So why did the authorities place Genesis first in the Tanach? I found the answer in this book. According to Rabbi Sacks: "By placing the stories of Genesis before the book of Exodus, with its story for the birth of the Israelites as a nation, the Torah is implicitly telling us of the primacy of the personal over the political."

Exodus is the one big story of the birth of a people, but Genesis full of little stories of one person after another. Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Jacob, Joseph—they all take their moment in the spotlight then move offstage to make room for the next person to tell his story.

This extremely readable book takes each parasha in turn and looks at its relevance to our lives today.

I look forward to its companion essays on Leviticus.

David Campton

1,138 reviews33 followers

July 16, 2022

A superb insight into a Jewish reading of this foundational Jewish book, bypassing so much of the frankly fruitless controversy re creation v evolution, history v theology that bedevils most Christian commentary on Genesis. As is understandable with a former Chief Rabbi, he has a differing understanding re the Messiah and the modern State of Israel than I might be comfortable with, but his writing re the importance of sibling relationships and forgiveness in Genesis and Judaism was revelatory for me. And his handling of the text has served to reassure me re my own preaching and writing on scripture, though I have a long way to go before I could handle it with such breadth, depth and subtlety. There is hardly a page of this commentary that does not have a stunning insight into the text, the human condition and humanity's relationship with God.

    biblical-theology old-testament-theology

H.L. Gibson

Author1 book5 followers

December 31, 2023

I've read tidbits of Rabbi Sacks's works elsewhere and watched several of his videos, so when a friend told me about and gifted the five-book set of Covenant & Conversations, I was thrilled. Rabbi Sacks was an amazing man in so many ways, and his beautifully written, intelligent collection of essays on the Torah are works to which I'll return again and again. The insights are deep and add another layer to my growing understanding of Torah.
~~~
Second time through, and it's still amazing. I found new insights and deeper meaning in those already discovered!

Neil Krasnoff

46 reviews5 followers

December 25, 2012

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is the most vibrant and pertinent commentator on Torah of our times. His erudition and soaring prose bring the families of Genesis to life and elucidates timely messages with each weekly Torah portion. Having just completed this volume along with the traditional Jewish reading cycle, I am eternally grateful to Rabbi Sacks whose lofty thoughts continue to inspire. I look forward to the next volume on Exodus.

    jewish
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