Redemption - Geula

Is the State of Israel the beginning of Redemption?

A top student of Rav Kook, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Harlop, wrote that the establishment of the State of Israel was the "beginning of the Redemption"...Rav Kook's son, Rav Tzvi Yehuda, also felt that way. My question is: On what do they base this?

How Prophecy Guided Us To Modern-Day Israel

Prophecy did not only preserve the nation, but actually drew it towards the desired objective. Historians are amazed at the Jewish People's capacity to have remembered the Land for so many centuries. The credit is due in no small measure to the manner in which our prophets guided us and the vibrant style in which they instructed us; it was this that drew a picture and created the longing in our souls to return and live so naturally in our Land.

Basis of Religious-Zionist & Haredi Approaches

Why does the Religious-Zionist public view the establishment of the State of Israel as part of the Redemption process, and why does the Haredi public object to the State institutions and hold that the existence of the State is not part of the process? On what sources is each approach based?

The Tanach Was Written for Religious Zionists

Unfortunately, the Tanach, the most popular, most translated and most printed book in history, is not studied enough in the yeshiva world. Perhaps one of the reasons, is that it is clearly addressing religious Zionists, something which may "threaten" certain notions in those yeshivas. This class helps clarify different outlooks within orthodoxy regarding modernism and Zionism, and what the original Torah-True Judaism is really about.

Blending the Wisdom of Age With the Energy of Youth

Translated by Hillel Fendel

When the Jewish Nation hesitates at important crossroads in history, it may be because we have to relearn how to use our unique national strengths – each of which is suited for a different generation.

Zionism- The Gate to Altruism, Humility, Godliness & Geula

Many wonder why the redemption began with Zionism & nationalism rather than with "observing 1 Shabbat"? Rav Kook explain that humility is the most important trait, see Moshe Rabbenu and all the mussar classics. Similarly, altruism- selfless giving, is the reason for creation, that even God wants to be altruistic, although this doesn't infer that He lacks anything, for altruism is, by definition, giving without gain. The national framework of living in a Jewish State where everyone is Jewish, sacrificing 3 years in the army & even one's life if needed, obligated chessed to each & every person, saving water, giving "tremps" to eachother, etc. help us rise above our personal smallness to a life of ideals & constant giving, altruism= Godliness.

Why Is it "Good" for the Religious that Zionism was a Secular Movement?

Religious Zionists strive to gradually make Israel more religious. Rav Kook controversially explains why despite our aforementioned desire, it was davka beneficial that many of the early active Zionists, at the forefront: Herzl, were clearly non-religious & often even "anti". Rav Kook explains how the religious in exile tended to be passive not pragmatic. Also, in the heated debate: should we wait passively for God to redeem us, or should we hasten the redemption, the secular solved the issue by simply, not asking the rabbis! Similarly historically, most of the Jews were already beginning to assimilate, & the redemption is for all of Israel & mankind, not just for the religious. Secular Zionism was relevant even to the non-believing.

Who is Mashiach Ben Yosef?

There is a direct connection between Mashich Ben Yosef and Pesach, and that is why we read Haftara of the Atzamot Yeveshot of Yechezkel on Shabbat Chol Hamo'ed Pesach.