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Sudden Teshuva and Gradual Teshuva
In Orot HaTeshuva 11, Rav Kook describes two types of Teshuva - sudden Teshuva and gradual Teshuva - and this is how sudden Teshuva is described:
"It comes suddenly from some sort of spiritual radiance that enters the soul. In one moment the person recognizes the evil and ugliness of sin and becomes a different person, and immediately feels within him a complete change for the better. This Teshuva comes via some manifestation of an inner virtue, via a great spiritual influence, whose paths are worth seeking in the valleys of mystery."
There is also a system of gradual Teshuva, as described below:
"And there is gradual Teshuva - not a light that shines from within a person bringing him from the depths of evil to good, but rather he feels that he needs to be bettering his ways and his lifestyle, his will, his thoughts, and throughout this he slowly slowly conquers the paths of honesty, corrects character traits, betters his actions, teaches himself how to communicate more and more, until he rises a level of purification and correction."
This can be likened to the relationship between miracle and nature. The miracle comes from above suddenly and crumbles the systems, while nature develops very slowly.
Teshuva that comes from above shines like lightening, illuminates the human soul for a brief moment and then goes away. What is caught remains and what escapes disappears. In contrast, there is gradual Teshuva, that develops in Man's psyche very slowly and builds within him floor after floor.
At the same time, Teshuva from above is limitless. G-d pours on us an abundance of light and blessing, while Teshuva from below is human and limited. When our vessel deserves it, we are able to gain much more when Teshuva comes from above, but it often happens that the great enlightenment that comes upon us from on high does not find worthy vessels to contain it, and so gradual Teshuva that is built very slowly is better according to the containing ability of the person as he is now.
When we left Egypt and saw great miracles daily, it did not keep our guard from falling, because we were not yet competent and worthy of the abundance of light that was affected upon us from on high. Thus we find several examples of falling in spite of the parting of the sea, the descent of the mann, Miriam's well, the giving of the Torah, etc.
In its time quickly
It is said in the Book of Prophets on the redemption of Israel: "I G-d in its time quickly" 16, to teach us that there is redemption that comes from below through effort and the Teshuva of Israel, slowly slowly, and there is redemption that comes from the Heavens, "Spell 'in its time' and spell 'quickly'! They merited - quickly and they did not merit - in its time" 17.And it is brought in the name of the Gra 18 that we can hasten the redemption even when it comes in its time.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
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.
