“Covenant and Conversation: Exodus: The Book of Redemption” by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

This is the second book in a series of essays on the Torah. He recounts the parashas in the Book of Exodus and gives interpretations for what they might mean for a modern life. The fundamental difference between Genesis and Exodus is the transformation of the Jewish people from a family into a nation. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were family patriarchs, leaders of their family, whereas Moses became the leader of a people, their prophet, and Aaron, their priest. Sacks offers opinions on quandaries such as the meaning of prayer in the modern age, abortion rights, the 2008 financial crisis, and even cloning.  Some themes that repeat throughout his interpretations of the parashas are that all men alike are supposed to be learned- literate and knowledgable about the law, that doubt and missteps are often hidden opportunities that can have an illuminating effect, and that outside appearances are often deceiving, so it is most important to judge a man by his presence within. Sacks speaks to themes of morality and character that arise from a Jewish interpretation of Scripture, but that all men can profit from.