Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

The Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought,
Established by the ZANDAN Family

In 2021, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, Dean of LSJS, was appointed the Rabbi Sacks Chair in Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family. This gives Rabbi Zarum, a devoted student and mentee of Rabbi Sacks, the opportunity to lecture, write and broadcast his ideas, inspired by the teachings of our generation's greatest Jewish scholar.

From student to President, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks had a deep connection with LSJS (formerly Jews' College) for over fifty years. This long-standing association is a source of deep honour and pride for all at LSJS, and this chair perpetuates and expands on his incredible impact. Lady Elaine Sacks said, "Rabbi Dr Zarum has been a colleague and student of my dear husband for more years than I can remember. He is an old and dear friend and is the perfect choice for this position. Thank you, Raphael, for accepting it."

Highlights

Questioning Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt (2023)

We all have questions about our faith. Often, however, we are given overly simple answers that remain unsatisfying. In this original and thought-provoking work, Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum responds to twelve challenging questions that confront the Torah today. These are questions about the veracity of its narratives, the morality of its laws, and the beliefs it engenders. To address these questions, the author brings historical, scientific, and philosophical research to bear on classical Jewish sources - with surprising and stimulating results.

Read

Podcast: Big questions of Jewish belief

Big Questions of Jewish Belief, the podcast where we face up to the challenges of religious faith. We all have questions about our faith. Questions about the truth of the Torah, the morality of its laws and what it teaches about having a relationship with God.
So each week during this miniseries I’ll be inviting rigorous thinkers to challenge me with their questions on Belief.

Listen

EXPLORE MORE CONTENT BY RABBI DR RAPAHEL ZARUM

(04) The Chosen People

35 mins (9/04/24) – Jews have long been proud to call themselves the Chosen People. But isn’t that a little bit racist? Rabbi Zarum is joined by Jonathan and Sophia who bring their own experiences and knowledge to the journey of discovering what exactly ‘chosen’ means and what exactly we’ve been chosen for.

(03) Collective Punishment

32 mins (2/04/24) – Rafi takes Jonathan and Sophia along a fascinating route which takes in collective punishment in Sodom and Gomorrah, shooting Orcs in Star Wars, and the Israel Defence Force’s policy on terrorists.

(02) Does the Flood Story Hold Water?

35 mins (26.03.24) – We’ve known the story of Noah and the Ark since we were babies. Do we as Jews believe it really happened? And if it didn’t, why is it in the Torah? Armed with studies in classics and science, Jonathan and Sophia join Rafi to challenge the veracity of the flood and discover a surprising message for today’s #climatecrisis era.

(01) What Does it mean to believe in God?

40 mins (13.03.24) – Two rigorous thinkers, Jonathan Gibson – Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics, and Sophia Bor – Cambridge Theology graduate and law student, challenge Rabbi Zarum in this episode on belief in God. Does Judaism require belief in God? Is God the same for everyone? Can we ‘prove’ He exists, and how? Both practising modern orthodox Jews, Sophia is unconvinced and Jonathan is still searching. Exploring nature, philosophy and modern and ancient Jewish literature, Rafi leads them and us through a fascinating tapestry of God theories in our own and other religions. For anyone who isn’t sure what they believe or wants to educate themselves in how to talk intelligently about Jewish belief in God.

JCC Book Fest

61min (Albuquerque 26.11.24) - Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum | QUESTIONING BELIEF: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt

King David’s Retaliation: God, Gaza and the ethics of shared responsibility

63 mins (LSJS, 5.06.24) - Annual lecture from the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, established by the Zandan family

Pekudei: The Blessings of Chaos and Order

46 mins (LSJS 13.03.24) - Covenant and Continuity - The LSJS Weekly Rabbi Sacks Parsha Lecture

A Rabbi Returns to the Vatican - New virtual tour of Jewish perspectives in the Raphael Rooms

83 mins (LSJS, 19.12.23) - Join us for an online trip to the world centre of Catholicism in Rome... [summary continues]

Rabbi Sacks Lecture - What power does public prayer hold?

68 mins (LSJS, 30.01.23) - Insights on how Kaddish points to a more mature relationship with God that can transform your experience of Jewish prayer

Bereishit - Rabbi Dr Zarum - From Creation to Cain - 19.10

50 mins (LSJS, 19.10.2022) - Covenant and Continuity - The LSJS Weekly Rabbi Sacks Parsha Lecture

Why did God tell Abraham to Sacrifice his Son? The Surprising Truth of the Akeidah

68 mins (Tulane University, New Orleans, 20.09.22) – Rabbi Dr Zarum presents four fascinating approaches to one of the most shocking stories in the Bible.

Rabbi Sacks Lecture - The Seven Pillars of Wisdom: Towards a Judaism for the 21st Century

77 mins (LSJS, 17.01.2022) - In recognition of the global impact of Rabbi Sacks zt”l... [summary continues]

What was the experience of Mount Sinai like?

55 mins (Central Square Minyan, 13.05.21) - Pre-Shavuot Shiur by Rabbi Dr Zarum. What was the experience like on Mount Sinai?

Maoz Tzur and the Politics of Assimilation

58 mins (South Hampstead Synagogue, 7.01.21) - Maoz Tzur and the Politics of Assimilation with Rabbi Dr Zarum

What’s so special about the Ten Commandments?

18 mins (Wellington Jewish Community Centre, New Zealand, 24.05.20) - Rabbi Dr Zarum: What’s so special about the Ten Commandments?

The Seven Loves of Isaac: What was he like as a son, husband and father?

85 mins (Midreschet Wollishofen, Zurich, 14.11.19) - Rabbi Dr Zarum: The Seven Loves of Isaac...

Lot: A family drama - discovering the four daughters of Seder night

89 mins (Midreschet Wollishofen, Zurich, 16.11.19) - Rabbi Dr Zarum: Lot: A family drama...

Does Everything Need a Reason?

8 mins (JDOV Talk, 25.04.18) - Does Everything Need a Reason?, Raphael Zarum, JDOV Talk

Hope & Resurrection: The surprising origins of Hatikvah

75 mins (Midreschet Wollishofen, Zurich, 7.05.17) - Rabbi Dr Zarum: Hoffnung und Auferstehung: Die biblischen Quellen zur Hatikwa

Rabbi Dr Zarum on the Koren Podcast

47 mins (9.07.24) – Hosts of the Koren Podcast Areyeh Grossman and Alex Drucker sit down with Rabbi Dr Zarum to hear his Torah Al Regel Ahat.

A Pre-Seder Conversation: Rabbi Joseph Dweck and Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

72 mins (LSJS 17.04.24) – How can we add depth and meaning to our understanding of the festival of Pesach...

Questioning Belief: The UK Book Launch – with Gila Sacks

74 mins (LSJS 17.03.24) – In Rabbi Dr Zarum’s original and thought-provoking new book, Questioning Belief, he responds to twelve challenging questions...

Purim & Persia: Rediscovering Esther

82 mins (LSJS 7.03.24) – Rabbi Dr Zarum and Michael Rainsbury discuss how the Book of Esther should be understood ‘in those days, at this time’...

Torah & Tradition in an Age of Doubt

71 mins (Jewish Book Week 3.03.24) – Runner-up in the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize. Rabbi Zarum joins Devorah Baum in conversation.

Is The Future Bright? Jewish education at a time of crisis

74 mins (LSJS, 25.2.24) – With Israel’s security situation and rising antisemitism, leading educators examine the Jewish future through education.

Defender of the Middle Way – In memory of Rabbi Dr Abraham Levy OBE

77 mins (Lauderdale Road Synagogue, 13.12.23) – A conversation between Rabbi Joseph Dweck and Rabbi Dr Zarum on Rabbi Levy’s Sephardic legacy.

Rabbi Sacks 3rd Yahrzeit – Conversation with Dayan Ivan Binstock

85 mins (St Johns Wood Shul, 01.11.23) – A rare opportunity to gain deeper insight into one of the greatest teachers of our people.

Oppenheimer and Jewish Ethics

75 mins (Jewish Learning Channel, 14.08.23) – Rabbi Dr Zarum explores ‘Jewish science’ and ‘collective responsibility’ in the Oppenheimer film.

Becoming The Person He Was – 2nd Yahrzeit of Rabbi Sacks

80 mins (LSJS, 14.11.22) – Rabbi Dr Zarum in conversation with Rabbi Shlomo Levin.

The Lasting Legacy of Rabbi Sacks zt”l

75 mins (LSJS, 6.12.21) – Gila Sacks in conversation with Rabbi Dr Zarum on the first Yahrzeit of her father.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: A Tribute

65 mins (8.12.20) – A Jewish Book Week event with Rowan Williams, Rabbi Dr Zarum, and Simon Schama reflecting on Rabbi Sacks' legacy.

All Things Considered – Wealth: Blessing or Burden?

BBC Sounds - 34 min (BBC, 16.02.25)

A Guide for the Jewish Undecided – Rabbi Dr Zarum interviews Rabbi Dr Samuel Lebens

59 mins (Jewish Book Week, 1.3.23) – Is it rational to be religious? How much evidence do you need before deciding to act on a belief?

Rabbi Dr Zarum interviews Billy Bragg

70 mins (JW3, 18.03.2021) – Watch Billy Bragg's Freedom

Life-changing Sacks event, chaired by Rabbi Dr Zarum

105 mins (LSJS, 20.12.20) – The life-changing ideas of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l

Rabbi Dr Zarum interviews Robert Alter

75 mins (Jewish Book Week, 4.03.19) – On his acclaimed translation of the Hebrew Bible.

Moral Dilemmas – Rabbi Dr Zarum interviews Rabbi Joseph Dweck

61 mins (Jewish Book Week, 4.03.18) – On interpretations of the biblical prophets and how tradition meets modern life.

What We Cannot Know – Zarum with Marcus du Sautoy & Robert Winston

62 mins (Jewish Book Week, 5.03.17) – On the limits of human knowledge.

The Murderous History of Bible Translation

61 mins (Jewish Book Week, 21.02.16) – With Harry Freedman & Bishop Michael Ipgrave.

Desert Island Texts – Zarum interviews Chief Rabbi Sacks

56 mins (LSJS, 4.03.12) – The Chief Rabbi’s seven favourite verses in all the Bible.

Rabbinical Creativity – Zarum interviews Rabbi Binyamin Lau

53 mins (Jewish Book Week, 19.02.12) – On religious innovation and halachic adaptation.

A nuanced rejection of biblical literalism and its perils, says Robin Gill

Canon Robin Gill (Emeritus Professor, University of Kent) reviews Questioning Belief in Church Times.

BBC Radio London interview with Edward Adoo

Audio interview (starts at 3:38:29)

Questioning Belief, by Raphael Zarum

Review: by Rabbi Johnny Solomon, Chief Learning Officer of WebYeshiva.org, in Tradition - A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought

Questioning Belief, by Raphael Zarum

Review: Struggling With Faith - JewishLink

Questioning Belief, by Raphael Zarum

Review: An essential resource that helps integrate Judaism with modernity - The Jewish Chronicle (thejc.com)

Questioning Belief, by Raphael Zarum

Review: Amazon.co.uk: Customer reviews

The Haggadah in four artefacts: How archaeological findings can transform your Seder

The Jewish Chronicle Pesach Piece

‘Flowing with Joy’ - Essay in Ode to Joy: Judaism and Happiness in the Thought of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Beyond

Palgrave: Macmillan, 2023 Maggid Press, 2015

'The Four Freedoms: Readings for discussion at your Seder this year'

The Jewish Chronicle Pesach Piece

The Last Rabbi – Jonathan Sacks and his legacy

The Jewish Quarterly, November 2021, JQ246, 63-69

The First Kohen

Essay in To Stand and To Serve: Essays in Memory of Marc Weinberg (Maggid Press, 2015)

‘Isaiah – The Potency of Prophecy'

Essay in 70 Days for 70 Years: Remembering the past to build the future (United Synagogue, 2015)

‘A Jew and a Gentleman’

essay in T50 Years of Giving – The Wohl Legacy (Wohl Legacy, 2015)

‘The memories that keep Judaism alive’

Journal of the Bible Society (UK), Summer 2014 (21-23)

‘Yoav’s Curse: The Deadly Challenge of Jewish Education’

Essay in Morasha Kehillat Yaakov: Essays in Honour of Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Maggid Press, 2014)

Jewish conceptions of community

In New Conceptions of Community, Institute for Policy Research UK (JPR, 2010)

‘Curriculum Production for Traditional Adult Jewish Education’

MA Thesis (unpublished, 2005)

‘Torah Essay - Post Modern Judaism'

In The Sovereign and the Situated Self: Jewish identity and Community in the 21st Century, Edited by J. Boyd. Published by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem & UJIA (Profile Books, 2003)

What Page Are We On?

Traditional Texts in Informal Jewish Education’, Sh’ma Journal 31/582 (2001)

We should aim to be more like Moses than Michelangelo

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (16.6.24)

My belief in questions

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (26.2.24)

What the British Museum reveals about the Torah’s view of beauty

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (14.7.23)

Why do Jews pray for the royal family?

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (05.5.2023)

The Haggadah in four artefacts

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (24.03.2023)

The dubious virtue of positive thinking

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (25.09.2022)

What can James Bond Teach us about Sukkot

First published in Tablet Magazine (06.10.2022)

The seven pillars of wisdom that sustain a balanced life

First published in the Jewish Chronicle (31.01.2022)

Chanukah: An Oily Clash of Civilisations

First published in ‘South African Jewish Report’ Chanukah Edition (25.11.2021)

The Last of His Kind

An article about the legacy of Rabbi Sacks. First published in Australian Jewish News (27.10.21)

Rabbi Sacks: One year on

An article about marking the first yahrzeit. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (24.09.21)

Is God responsible for coronavirus?

An article about the religious significance of the pandemic. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (24.09.21)

A Matter of Life and Death

An article about the centrality education in the thought of Rabbi Sacks. First published in the ‘Jewish News’ (2.02.21)

Jonathan Sacks: A rabbi for our time

An article written on first hearing of the passing of Rabbi Sacks. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (8.11.20)

On the 50th anniversary of landing on the moon

An article about Judaism and geocentricity. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (19.07.19)

Jonah for grown ups

An article about why the Ninevites took the Israelite prophet seriously. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (23.08.18)

Why plastic cups should not be kosher for kiddush

An article about the dangers of disposable Judaism. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (16.07.18)

Was there room for whales in the ark?

An article about the deeper purpose of the Flood. First published in ‘The Jewish Chronicle’ (20.10.17)

Recovering

Seven ready-to-go readings for your Pesach Seder to help you on the road to recovery beyond the pandemic – by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum (LSJS, 2021)

Beyonding

A really practical guide for meaningful prayer for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur if you can’t go to Shul at all, or only for a while – by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum (LSJS, 2020)

Big Questions, Brief Answers

A booklet of thought-provoking short responses to thirty-three of the most challenging questions about Judaism by Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum and Maureen Kendler (LSJS, 2018)

Upcoming events

Covenant & Continuity in memory of David Gallick z”l

With Rabbanit Rachel Weber Leshaw, Rabbi Joe Wolfson, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

Course starts on:
Wednesday 9 September 2026
19:00-19:45 UK time

Rabbi Sacks
Genesis Course

With Rabbi Alex Israel, Debbie Meyer, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

Course starts on:
Monday 5 October 2026
20:00-21:30 UK time
Journey to Rome

With Michael Rainsbury, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum

Sunday 29 November 2026
07:00-23:00 UK time

Tour

Booking form

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