Jonathan Sacks Interviewed by Nick Higham

Former Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks draws on the Bible and the historic experience of the Jewish people to argue that there are key factors that help to establish, maintain and pass on core moral values that are under threat in the modern era.

Sacks says we have outsourced morality to the markets and to government. They can bring wealth and contain the worst excesses of inequality but neither can bear the moral weight of showing us how to live. And he asks how we can rebuild a collective culture in an age that has seen a rise in toxic public discourse, religious extremism and aggressive atheism.

Sacks is former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the UK and Commonwealth. He is a widely respected writer and broadcaster well known for his appeal to both religious and secular thinkers. He has written more than 20 books including Not in God’s Name and The Great Partnership.  Here he talks to BBC journalist Nick Higham, who was the BBC’s first ever media correspondent and, until recently, presenter of Meet the Author on the BBC news channel.

This event is part of the festival’s programme of Jewish and Hebrew literature and culture.