by Rabbi Raymond Apple AO RFD, emeritus rabbi of the Great Synagogue, Sydney, Australia
From: http://www.oztorah.com/2010/08/the-dignity-of-difference-book-review/
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks is the most elegant English-language author on Judaism in the world today.
His book comes under the topic of global problems. It argues that just as religious difference played a major role in the events of 911, so religious differences can help towards world survival.
Where we used to say we needed to narrow the gap between religions and find more common ground, Sacks argues persuasively that we need to learn to make space for difference, discovering that there is dignity in diversity under the over-arching authority of the one Creator. It is this thought – diversity under the one God that turned this book into a far more controversial work than Sacks could have imagined.
In the first printing he stated that all religions have truth and God is higher than any one religion. He was severely taken to task by some Jews who accused him of "apikorsut" (heresy).
It’s an interesting development, of course, to see a chief rabbi crowned with the improbable title of "apikoros"; though Sacks would not compare himself to Maimonides, he too had his fierce enemies who wanted his grave to bear the words: “Here lies a heretic.”
And as Rabbi N Solomons wrote in the Jewish Chronicle: “The recent attempt to ban a book by the chief rabbi, or to force him to rewrite passages, has a long, if shameful, history.”
Cohn Shindler remarked that Anglo-Jewry loves such theatrics. At different times, most of Britain’s chief rabbis have said or done controversial things and the community has divided between those who found themselves entertained by the sight of a chief rabbi being metaphorically mauled and others whose instinctive thought was, in Shindler’s words: “To rally round their beloved chief rabbi.”
Sacks had a meeting with some of the critics and, while presumably not resiling from his general view, agreed to reword the controversial passages in the next issue of the book.
This has now been done, and what we read in the new edition accords ultimate truth to Judaism while not denying that there are insights in other religions and constantly insisting that the other faiths and their adherents must be accorded respect – a position reflecting that of Maimonides.
The controversy has probably ensured that the book would sell very widely, but it would be a pity to allow the major call of the book to go unheeded.
Stressing that religion not only helps to create conflict but also to solve it, Sacks believes that there is a dignity in difference and a moral imperative to listen to one another.
He addresses views such as those which claim that differences are bound to lead to war and the best way is to impose one single absolute truth.
But there is more than one attempt to create a universal civilisation: what happens when civilisations meet and dash, as happened on 911 when global capitalism and Islam confronted one another?
Sacks urges us to go back to the Bible, which begins with the general but then moves to the particular, from all mankind to one family. There is sameness, but there is also difference. The general and the particular – the theme is played out everywhere.
In the market economy, differences either lead people to fight or to trade. From fighting, both sides lose; from trading, both sides gain. There is complexity in every aspect of human experience; the biblical paradigm teaches that the options are not just universalism and tribalism, but also the dignity of difference.
People may question some of Sacks’ views, but the book is compelling reading, and apart from the theological controversy, it may prove to be one of the most stimulating and valuable analyses of how the world can get itself out of a frightening mess. 

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

For the last year, I have devoured many books by Rabbi Sacks. This one is by far the most challenging intellectually. Most of the time Rabbi Sack's prose is so amazing and clear, I merely enjoy the ... Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

High ranking Rabbi Sacks imagines it is necessary to somehow allow a supremacy for religion which simultaneously obviates the intolerant judgmental hegemonic core. Religion eventually dominates, and ... Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

It has many good ideas but I keep getting stuck with the circular logic. Read full review

Review: Dignity Of Difference

Great perspectives and insights into religion and co-existing with others. Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

Sacks does a great job of explaining some difficult issues involved with the culture clash we are experiencing in the age of globalization. He does a great job of explaining why we should cling to a ... Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

I will read more from Rabbi Sachs . . he has much to offer. Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

As much as I love the idea of what Rabbi Sacks was saying in this book I can't give it more than 3 stars as I struggled to comprehend a lot of it since it was written in a very deeply philosophical ... Read full review

Review: The Dignity of Difference: How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations

Only 200 pages, but has a lot of powerful ideas. I thought the chapters about game theory's applications in the field of morality and economics and the chapter about "Exorcising Plato's Ghost" to be ... Read full review

Review: Dignity of Difference

This is one of the most profound books I've read in a long time. I will be going back to it for years to come whenever I need a good resource for a theology of difference and inclusion. Read full review