Ways of Redemption

Will Redemption Come With or Without a Mashiah?

Who will ingather our exiles to the Land of Israel – will it be G-d, or the Mashiah? What is the source that a person will ingather us?

"And Bless the Fruit of Your Womb"

One of the wonderful things being fulfilled in the prophecies is the fertility index of Jewish women in the State of Israel.

End of days and final redemption

Redemption From Egypt to Redemption Today

The prophets of Israel have clearly told us that our redemption is a certainty and will occur. How this will happen was never spelled out for us in detail.

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?

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?

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.