YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- Redemption - Geula
- Ways of Redemption
Translated by Hillel Fendel
Q. I would love to understand why the Religious-Zionist public views the establishment of the State of Israel as part of the Redemption process, and why the Haredi public objects to the State institutions and holds that the existence of the State is not part of the process? On what sources is each approach based?
A. This is a very involved topic, with many sources. The more straightforward view is that held by the Haredi public, which holds that the Redemption we await is not only the physical return to the Land of Israel, but is mainly Israel's spiritual return to G-d and to the observance of His commandments. In practice we are in a generation in which the majority of the Jewish Nation is not careful to observe Jewish Law [thus seemingly supporting the view that this is not a generation of Redemption].
Within the Haredi camp are those [a minority] who say that the State of Israel must be opposed because of its non-religious leadership, as well as many who differ and say that it is permissible to take part in the State, out of a desire to save what can be saved.
However, from our Rabbinic sources as well as the Prophets, we know that it could very well be that the first stage of the Redemption shall occur even before the nation does teshuva [return to Torah observance]. There is in fact a dispute in the Talmud as to whether Redemption is dependent upon teshuva or not. The latter view states that it is G-d's decision when to call a halt to the punishment of Exile and redeem Israel, regardless of the nation's spiritual state. Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook brought proofs showing that this opinion is the prevailing one in Jewish Law.
Even according to the opinion that Redemption is in fact dependent upon teshuva, there are those who cite the Zohar to the effect that this does not mean that the entire nation must repent before the Redemption. Instead, it could be that if even one community does teshuva, this would be enough to bring the Redemption.
On the other hand, even those who hold that Redemption is not dependent upon teshuva, agree that this refers only to the first stage thereof – but that in the later stages of Redemption, all of Israel will most certainly change their ways and return to emuna and Torah observance.
It could be that the differences between the Haredi and Religious-Zionist approaches are not ideological, but rather educational. That is, they differ as to the best approach by which to educate the nation during this period of history. One approach says that we must promote the idea that we are a generation of special quality that, from an inner perspective, is bringing about the Redemption. The other holds that if we say that we are in times of Redemption, we weaken our hands in requiring teshuva and the return to Torah observance.
The Religious-Zionist approach holds that such a great revolution within the nation as we have seen with the return to Zion in our times cannot have happened without it being of Divine origin. The changeover from being a scattered and downtrodden people in exile to being a renewed nation in our land – one that has attained so many accomplishments in so many areas – is clear testimony to the Divine Providence that guides the State of Israel. This faith in G-d is precisely that which guides us to believe also in Israel and its potential to do teshuva very soon. Rav Kook explained many times in his writings that even those phenomena that appear to be distancing us from the Redemption, such as lack of belief in G-d, can be understood to indicate, if examined more profoundly, that in the end, the nation will return out of love.
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
