The Value of the Nation of Israel

Jews' Special Status: Doing Good For the World

Translated by Hillel Fendel

What makes Israel special? This question was keeping me awake at night. But see the end of the article for very practical answers.

The Source of Israel's Uniqueness

Translated by Hillel Fendel

The uniqueness of the People of Israel does not begin with the appearance of the people of Israel, but well before that. As R. Yehuda HaLevy says in his classic work HaKuzari, we already see differences between people starting from the days of Adam HaRishon – the first human being to live on the face of the earth – and we comprehend that not everyone is equal.

What Israel Suffered in History - and Why

Translated by Hillel Fendel

Soon, the Nation of Israel will be greatly raised up, it will become clear why the Jewish Nation suffered more than the other nations, and why it became a wretched symbol of degradation among the Gentiles.

The Kedusha of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael

What is the definition of "Kedusha" in general, and in particular, how should we understand the holiness of the Jewish Nation and the Land of Israel? Is kedusha (translated: holiness) essentially inherent, or is it acquired through Torah and mitzvot? Rav Kook's harmonic approach, based upon Tanachic and rabbinic sources, helps us make sense of these most basic issues.