I was born 50 years after the passing of the first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook. The 3rd of Elul 5763 (Sunday, August 31, 2003) marked the 68th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Kook, and his teachings continue to have an inspiring effect on those discovering Judaism, or just wanting to learn more about this precious faith.
Rabbi Kook, to me, today, is by far the most important rabbi that ever lived, and is and will always be the most important soul of religious Zionism. Just reading his teachings and about his life inspires one to reach closer to Hashem and to strive to walk in the footsteps of the Rabbi. Without a doubt, his contribution to Jewish thought remains unparalleled. Even though his unfortunate passing was over a half-century ago, Rabbi Kook's mission is still alive and well today.
My thoughts and my prayers are so much shaped by the inspiration I derive from the teachings of the Rabbi that his yahrzeit, the day of his passing, is not one of sadness, but of joy, knowing that the soul of one of the greatest is being rewarded for his well-accomplished and ongoing mission. Unfortunately, as I viewed the Jewish papers and news sites, not many even bothered to make some mention of Rabbi Kook's yahrzeit, the passing of a great soul to a greater place.
Rabbi Kook is as alive today as he was 100 years ago; he continues to live in the soul of everyone who turns to his thoughts and to his teachings. He stressed the importance of claiming the land of Israel and today, that message is alive. Today, pioneers are claiming and bringing a Jewish presence to their birthright, fulfilling a key teaching from the revered and precious Rabbi.
Rabbi Kook stressed that the Jewish people's return to Israel was part of a greater mission than many thought. The Rabbi supported the return, and a state, not only because of concern for the safety of the Jews, but because it was the beginning of redemption for the world.
With such divisions between different religious streams as exist now, between religious and secular, Israel must turn to the teachings of Rabbi Kook, wherein each contributes to redemption and to the blessings of Israel. Even the secular world brings blessing. Despite the terrorist bombings and the situation in Israel, this is a time to turn to Hashem and ponder the teachings of Rabbi Kook. The land of Israel has never been more important, as the divine blessing and help that Hashem has provided for the Jewish people merits the effort to claim the land of Israel and to return to Torah and mitzvot. Unity and love is what the Rabbi stressed and, today, the Jewish people have an obligation to return to the teachings of the Rabbi, which can only further redemption.
Who can forget Rabbi A. I. Kook? Not me. Words cannot express my admiration and love for Rabbi Kook. Even though I am not in Israel, I can feel that the Rabbi is still alive through his teachings.
On this, the 68th year since the passing of the greatest rabbi, I salute his memory, which will be for an eternal blessing. Never will he be forgotten.
Rabbi Kook was and will always be the greatest soul and in prayer and memory, he lives, even though in the grave. He lives, and his influence remains on a generation he never knew.
Rabbi Kook, to me, today, is by far the most important rabbi that ever lived, and is and will always be the most important soul of religious Zionism. Just reading his teachings and about his life inspires one to reach closer to Hashem and to strive to walk in the footsteps of the Rabbi. Without a doubt, his contribution to Jewish thought remains unparalleled. Even though his unfortunate passing was over a half-century ago, Rabbi Kook's mission is still alive and well today.
My thoughts and my prayers are so much shaped by the inspiration I derive from the teachings of the Rabbi that his yahrzeit, the day of his passing, is not one of sadness, but of joy, knowing that the soul of one of the greatest is being rewarded for his well-accomplished and ongoing mission. Unfortunately, as I viewed the Jewish papers and news sites, not many even bothered to make some mention of Rabbi Kook's yahrzeit, the passing of a great soul to a greater place.
Rabbi Kook is as alive today as he was 100 years ago; he continues to live in the soul of everyone who turns to his thoughts and to his teachings. He stressed the importance of claiming the land of Israel and today, that message is alive. Today, pioneers are claiming and bringing a Jewish presence to their birthright, fulfilling a key teaching from the revered and precious Rabbi.
Rabbi Kook stressed that the Jewish people's return to Israel was part of a greater mission than many thought. The Rabbi supported the return, and a state, not only because of concern for the safety of the Jews, but because it was the beginning of redemption for the world.
With such divisions between different religious streams as exist now, between religious and secular, Israel must turn to the teachings of Rabbi Kook, wherein each contributes to redemption and to the blessings of Israel. Even the secular world brings blessing. Despite the terrorist bombings and the situation in Israel, this is a time to turn to Hashem and ponder the teachings of Rabbi Kook. The land of Israel has never been more important, as the divine blessing and help that Hashem has provided for the Jewish people merits the effort to claim the land of Israel and to return to Torah and mitzvot. Unity and love is what the Rabbi stressed and, today, the Jewish people have an obligation to return to the teachings of the Rabbi, which can only further redemption.
Who can forget Rabbi A. I. Kook? Not me. Words cannot express my admiration and love for Rabbi Kook. Even though I am not in Israel, I can feel that the Rabbi is still alive through his teachings.
On this, the 68th year since the passing of the greatest rabbi, I salute his memory, which will be for an eternal blessing. Never will he be forgotten.
Rabbi Kook was and will always be the greatest soul and in prayer and memory, he lives, even though in the grave. He lives, and his influence remains on a generation he never knew.