YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Chemdat Yamim
- Igrot Hare’aya
Recipient: R. Nachum Kahana Shapira and R. Shlomo Rabb, young rabbanim or yeshiva students in Jerusalem.
Igrot Hare’aya (200)
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
66 - Study of Spirituality
67 - Study of Spirituality
68 - The Power of the Scholars of Eretz Yisrael
Load More
Body: [Rav Kook was in the midst of extolling the virtues of learning the "spiritual" elements of Torah, bemoaning the difficulties of implementing it, but urging the letter’s recipients to embark upon it as they were inclined.]
It may be, in the beginning, a little difficult to embark on such a course of study [of the more moralistic or kabbalistic elements of Torah] because the lack of regularity holds up clean beginnings. However, it will not take long for the "taste" of all spiritual study to turn to sweet as honey, no matter where in the broad sphere of Torah and fear of Hashem it is. Its pleasantness will influence the more practical elements of Torah as well as the health of the body and the soul and one’s inner tranquility, whose aura flows from Hashem’s upper Garden of Eden.
This will emerge gradually, with increasing inspiration on a daily basis. It increases loving connection with friends who also call out in the name of Hashem and who seek to honestly serve Hashem and seek out His name and paths. When such experiences increase and the strength of such servants of Hashem is elevated, gateways of light will open for excellent individuals, who will be able to turn bitter into sweet and dark into light. Then a new movement will begin with a wider podium for the service of Hashem of the scholars in Eretz Yisrael.
This will elevate the stature of the Torah and knowledge of Hashem with a wonderful banner. The words of such scholars will shock the "idol worshippers" and the misguided children of the world. The light of repentance will appear from Zion on all who seek it and on all of the Jewish exiles throughout the world. This reawakening will serve as the great shofar blast that will bring back those who are lost and distant, whether in Assyria or in Egypt (i.e., wherever the exiles will be) and come to bow down to Hashem on the holy mountain in Jerusalem (see Yeshayahu 27:13).
The strengthening of the general spirit to embrace sanctity and wisdom usually comes with much ado and is difficult to explain simply. However, eventually the flow of wisdom will facilitate an ability to express ideas clearly, and an impressive and broad new form of literature will emerge. It will relate to all elements of life and society. It will be so true and powerful that all will be compelled to respect and be awed by it. Its light of life will be so full of spiritual dew that even other elements of the Torah, including the great works of Halacha and halachic analysis, will pick up the fragrance of the pleasantness of Hashem in a revealed manner (until then, the deep connection to Hashem in these works will be hidden). All of the elements that darkened and caused bitterness to the heart will disappear. Certainly, the joining together of adherents, which is crucial in order to reach the full honor of Torah, will flower with grand bouquets full of sanctity and true rejoicing in the true G-d.
New areas of inquiry will open up and grandly illuminate broad avenues of life. Without a doubt, even the improvement of the physical lot of Eretz Yisrael’s scholars and the general population of Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people, depends on these positive developments. In short, we need to seek to know Hashem in truth and justice. "Seek Hashem and His strength, constantly seek His face" (Tehillim 105:4). Everything is included in this.
I hope that you will strengthen yourselves in service of Hashem and be diligent in improving in the area that you identified as "speaking to you" (the topic of the letter). May Hashem share with us His light and salvation for His Name, His nation, His Land, and His lot.
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit
Igrot Hare’aya Connecting Disciplines in Torah Study
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #103 – part II
P'ninat Mishpat Limits of Interest Rate for Loan with Heter Iska – part II
based on ruling 80033 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts
Igrot Hare’aya Raffle of Property in Eretz Yisrael for Tzedaka
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: – #220
Igrot Hare’aya Informing a Friend he Is Not Insulted – #320
Date and Place: 5 Menachem Av 5670 (1910), Rechovot (probably)
Igrot Hare’aya Language of Instruction for Rav Kook’s Yeshiva – #325
Date and Place: 4 Elul 5670 (1910), Yafo
Igrot Hare’aya Refuting Criticism by the Ridbaz – #311 – part I
Date and Place: 19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
