Rabbi Avraham HaCohen Kook

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

The dual call of the Shofar

Why do we need two sets of shofar blasts?

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Nitzavim: Dances of teshuvah in Poriah

Many of those present cherished the memory of that winter night when young secular pioneers sang and danced with the Chief Rabbi of Jaffa.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Ki Tavo: The Splendor of Tefillin

Tefillin, containing passages from the Torah mentioning God’s Name, are a visible sign for others that “God’s Name is called upon you."

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Ki Tetze: Advice to a troubled father

We should never give up on a single Jewish soul. “A myrtle among the reeds is still a myrtle and is called a myrtle“ (Sanhedrin 44a).

Rabbi Kook’s concept of unity

Rabbi Avraham Kook ztz”l proposed a unified concept that would contain all the customs, along with the Ingathering of the Exiles.

Gimmel Elul: Rabbi Kook and our longings for Jerusalem

Israel's third president told a story about Rav Kook that is especially appropriate on his yahrzeit.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Re'eh: Private and public Redemption

"Night and day symbolize the two stages of redemption."

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Eikev: Balancing Torah and Work

The amount of time devoted to a particular activity is not the sole factor in determining that this is our main pursuit in life.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Va'etchanan: In mind and heart

What is the difference between “knowing it” and “pondering it in our heart”?

You will not find them in Berlin

A great man prophesied and his words came to pass. Op-ed.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Devarim: Di Zahav - Too much gold

Do you know anyone who had enough money and refused to accept more?

Kashering the spoils of Midian

Israel's first Chief Rabbi: 'The two steps in kashering the spoils parallel the two steps in possessing the Land of Israel.'

For Jabotinsky's Yahrzeit: Jabotinsky and the Haganah

“The point of the matter is, as Rabbi Kook writes, that the inner soul of the Zionism movement derives from a holy source." Book excerpt.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Appointing a Leader for Israel

The Jewish people need material as well as spiritual leadership. Can that be found in one person or must we have two? Rav Kook responds.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Psalm 128: Striving for excellence

Our greatest pleasure comes, not from resting, but from hard work.

A taste of Rabbi Kook's writings

Pearls from Rabbi Ze’ev Sultanovich’s annotations to Rabbi Kook’s writings, whose publication was completed this week.

Israel's first Chef Rabbi:

Psalm 126: We were like dreamers!

Our dreams are the forerunners of our national redemption.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Psalm 37: My feet will not stumble

The Temple represents service of G-d, the Ark represents His Torah. Without Torah, it is impossible to know how to serve God.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Shelach: The grape harvest

Harvesting the produce of Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah. When it is time to harvest, this takes precedence over Torah study!

Israel's first Chef Rabbi:

BeHa'alotecha: The triumph of the Ark

"We are besieged by two kinds of opponents. Some are overt, like Amalek. Others are hidden foes, dangers that we may not even be aware of."

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Naso: Divine favoritism?

What did the Jews do to earn them leniency before the Heavenly Court? Is that a good thing?

Shavuot: Seeing sound

Israel's first Chief Rabbi on the Sinai revelation: 'At their source, sound and sight are united.'

Jerusalem Day: The two messengers

Prophetic words from Israel's first Chief Rabbi: There are two heralds of the return to our holy city and they bear two different messages.

Psalm 119: “I arose...and cried out; I hope for Your word.”

Torah from Israel's first chief rabbi: When did David arise during the night to meditate and pray? And what did it signify?

Acharei Mot: Triple measure of incense

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "Teshuva allows us, in a sense, to rewrite the past."

Today's Korachs are politicians

The mini Korachs of today express the same jealousy and hatred for Netanyahu that Korach had for Moshe.

Shemini: The role of the kohen

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "We honor the kohen for his potential."

Pesach: Next Year in Jerusalem!

Israel's first Chief Rabbi gave an unusual twist to the words at the end of the Seder for those of us already living in Jerusalem.

Psalm 104: God's Messengers

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism. "In service to G-d, we can be both messengers and servants."

A chair with three legs

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionists on why Moses did not accept G-d's offer after the Golden Calf.

Timna and Purim - Rav Kook's instantaneous Dvar Torah

A story for Purim about Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the Torah luminary who was the iconic leader of Religious Zionism.

Psalm 24: Opening the Temple gates

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbim iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "Why did the Temple gates disobey Solomon and refuse to open?"

Psalm 104: Let sin be uprooted

Torah from Israel's frst Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "Why didn't Rabbi Meir think of his wife's solution himself?"

Psalm 41: God sustains the ill

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: 'In what way does G-d come to the aid of those who are ill?'

Beshalach: Two levels of love

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: "The song at the Red Sea refers to two types of love for God."

Bo: The Passover leap

Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: The paschal lamb was a spiritual leap, but not everyone could partake of it.

Judging Torah scholars favorably

Israel's first Chief Ashkenazi rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism explains Psalm 125: We are all judges of those who teach us.

The servant and the Minister

Thoughts from Israel's first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism: Should we serve G-d with our intellect or our heart?

Our father Jacob did not die

Israel's first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of religious Zionism: Sometimes a goal is achieved via means that conflict with the objective.

The holiness of the Synagogue

Israel's first Cheif Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism: The synagogue reflects the holiness in the life of the community.

Mikeitz: Joseph and the Evil Eye

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: 'The Evil Eye is an example of how one soul may affect another..'

From Israel's 1st Chief Rabbi: 'Hanukkah's spiritual riches'

The Menorah is a material vessel, but the olive oil in it is a metaphor for the Jewish nation’s inner spirit, which merited the miracle.

VaYishlach: Reuben's Sin

Israel's first Ashkenazi Cheif Rabbi, leader of Religious Zionism:'Oral Torah adds insightful understanding through careful examination.'

Vayetze: Prayer before sleep‏

Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: It is only the soul that experiences visions while dreaming.

Psalm 115: The Earth is entrusted to us

Israel's first Chief Rabbi and iconic leader of Religious Zionism: How much should we be involved in this world and its pleasures?

Psalm 26: Two levels of love

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism: Love is bound to our self, but love of G-d transcends self.

Vayeira: 'Sanctity in Space' - as synagogues begin to reopen

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: 'What is religious humility? Why have a set location for prayer?'

Psalm 3: The enemy from within

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: Sometimes our greatest enemy comes from within.

Psalm 95: Bowing Before Our Maker

Israel's first Chief Rabbi and the iconic leader of Religious Zionism on controlling the soul's emotions.

Breishit: The Age of the Universe

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism: The Torah's message is ethics in a world created by G-d.

Like doves flying home

Torah from Israel's first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi and iconic leaader of Religious Zionism: 'Longing for home, the dove returns to its nest.'

Is this holiday seven, eight or nine days long?

Understanding the source of the difference in holiday observance in the Diaspora and Israel.

Succoth: The role of the lowly willow

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, iconic leader of Religious Zionism: The willow represents the unlearned, blessed with common sense.

The light of teshuva - a nation returning to its roots

Rabbi Kook teaches that in the return of even secular Zionists to Israel there is a profound holy core, there is the light of teshuva.

Ha'azinu: The source of Rabbinic Authority

Torah from Israel's iconic first Chief Rabbi: 'Our Sages examined two aspects when formulating a new law...":

Rosh Hashannah: Personal Judgment

Israel's first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi on the Day of Judgment: Musaf on Rosh Hashannah, the longest prayer of the year.

Psalm 81: Aiming for greatness

Encouragement from Israel's first Chief Rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism.

For Elul: Psalm 27- Tenacious prayer

Torah from Israel's first Chief Rabbi: The essence of prayer is incremental.

Rabbi Kook’s Essay “HaDor” (“The Generation”)

Does Rav Kook's fundamental essay apply to today's generation as well?

Ki Teitzei: Remembering Miriam's punishment

Torah from Israel's first chief rabbi, the iconic leader of Religious Zionism.