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RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Chanan Morrison

THE MYSTERIES

OF THE UNIVERSE

efore reciting the Yom Kippur we are aware of the damage caused it is limited by our capabilities,
vidui (confessional prayer), we by our wrongdoings, the greater our be combined with G-d’s infinite
Boffer a special prayer: feelings of regret. For this reason knowledge. For if we were able to
the request for forgiveness in the fully recognize matters in their true
.י ָ ח ל ָּ כ י ֵ ר ְ ת ִ ס תֹומּול ֲ ע ַ ת ְ ו ם ָ ל ֹוע יֵז ָ ר ַ ע ֵ ד ֹוי ה ָּ ת ַ א daily Amidah prayer only appears measure, we would feel them with
ןי ֵ א .ב ֵ ל ָ ו תֹוי ָ ל ְּ כ ן ֵ חֹובּו ן ֶ ט ָ ב י ֵ ר ְ ד ַ ח ל ָּ כ ׂש ֵ פֹוח ה ָּ ת ַ א after the request for knowledge. all of their intensity in our efforts to
ָ
ן ֵ כ ְ בּו .ךיֶני ֵ ע ד ֶ גֶּנ ִ מ ר ָּ ת ְ סִנ ןי ֵ א ְ ו , ָ ךּ ֶּ מ ִ מ ם ָ ל ְ עֶנ ר ָ ב ָ ּ ד better ourselves.
ָ
,ּוני ֵ תֹוב ֲ א י ֵ קלֹא ֵ ו ּוני ֵ קלֹ ֱ א 'ה ךיֶנ ָ פ ְּ ל ִ מ ןֹוצ ָ ר י ִ הְי In order to completely free ourselves
ל ַ ע ּונ ָ ל ל ָ ח ְ מ ִ ת ְ ו ,ּוני ֵ תאֹ ּ ט ַ ח ל ָּ כ ל ַ ע ּונ ָ ל ח ַ ל ְ ס ִּ ת ֶ ׁש from a particular negative behavior This then is the meaning of the Yom
.ּוני ֵ ע ָ ׁש ְּ פ ל ָּ כ ל ַ ע ּונ ָ ל ר ֶּ פ ַ כ ְ תּו ,ּוני ֵ תֹונֹו ֲ ע ל ָּ כ or trait, it is not enough to desist Kippur prayer:
from its outward manifestations.
“You know the mysteries of the We need to remove all desire for “You know the mysteries of the
universe and the hidden secrets this conduct; we need to dislodge its universe” – only You know the full
of every living soul. You search roots from the inner recesses of the impact of our mistakes and how
the innermost chambers of the soul. But how well do we know what much remorse we should really feel
conscience and the heart. Nothing resides in the depths of our heart? – “and the hidden secrets of every
escapes You; nothing is hidden from We may think that we have purified living soul” – for we fail to properly
Your sight. Therefore, may it be ourselves from a particular vice, and regret our actions.
Your Will to forgive all our sins.”
yet the disease is still entrenched “You search the innermost chambers
Why do we introduce the Yom within, and we will be unable to of the conscience and the heart” –
Kippur vidui by acknowledging withstand a future re-awakening of You see that traces of our failings
G-d’s infinite knowledge? What this desire. still lurk deep within us. Only You
does G-d’s knowledge of the hidden We commit ourselves not to repeat know to what degree we need to
mysteries of the universe have to do our error, no matter what the cleanse ourselves of character flaws
with our efforts to repent and atone that we have not fully succeeded in
for our deeds? situation, even under the most
trying circumstances. Again, a full conquering.
There are three components to the acceptance for the future implies “Nothing escapes You; nothing is
teshuva process, corresponding to knowledge of all future events and hidden from Your sight” – You
the past, the present, and the future. their impact upon us – a knowledge
Teshuva should include regret for that is clearly denied to us. know all future events, including
improper conduct in the past, a situations that will tempt us and
decision to cease this conduct in the So how can we aspire toward perhaps cause us to stumble again.
present, and a resolve not to repeat true teshuva, when the essential Nonetheless, since we can only
it in the future. components of the teshuva process perform the various components
require knowledge that is beyond
And yet, complete performance our limited abilities? of teshuva according to our limited
of all three aspects of teshuva capabilities, we beseech G-d, “May
requires profound knowledge. In G-d promises us that the mitzvah it be Your Will to forgive all of our
fact, teshuva sheleima, complete of teshuva is within our grasp – “it sins.” Then we can attain the level of
repentance, requires a level of is not too difficult or distant from “complete repentance before You” – a
knowledge far beyond our limited you.... Rather, this matter is very teshuva that is complete when our
capabilities. close to you, in your mouth and in sincere efforts are complemented by
your heart, so that you can fulfill G-d’s infinite knowledge.
Only if we are fully aware of the it” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). G-d
seriousness of our actions will we graciously accepts the little we (Taken from “Silver from the Land of
truly feel remorse over our past are able to accomplish as if it were Israel”, Urim 2010)
failings. The Kabbalists taught much. We ask that the degree of Rabbi Chanan Morrison is the author of
that our actions can influence the regret, change, and resolve that several books on Rav Kook’s writings
highest spiritual realms. The more we are capable of, even though www.RavKookTorah.org

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Background illustration of Rav Kook courtesy of www.gedolimcanvas.com