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THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein

Partnering with G-d

hat is the essential principle see them to fruition. We must partner Here, Rav Kooks refers to Aliyah and
of Religious Zionism? What with G-d to perfect the world. settling the Land as partnering with
Wdistinguishes it from other In this context, Rav Kook quotes the G-d.
movements within Orthodox Judaism? following Midrash: In the future, a In an essay written 25 years later, Rav
For Rav Kook, one key factor emerges heavenly voice will burst forth from the Kook once again invoked this Mid-
from an age-old but highly relevant tops of mountains and declare: “Who- rash. Here, however, his theme is not
question of how to understand the ever acted together with G-d, let him the material building of the Land, but
books of our prophets. Many nevi’im come and take his reward… the Holy the imperative to realize why we have
captivatingly prophesied about the Spirit says “Who has acted before me returned. According to Rav Kook, our
messianic era. The Jewish people will such that I can reward him” (Vayikra mission is to create a society in the Land
return to the Land of Israel and the Rabbah 27:2). of Israel that reflects G-d’s most ideal
Beit HaMikdash will be rebuilt. Peace G-d wants us to “act together with Him” values.
and fraternity will become the norm. to create redemption. For this reason,
The hungry will be fed. G-d’s palpable Rav Kook’s conception of Religious Therefore, in conjunction with the
presence will permeate the world. All Zionism is still urgently relevant today. building of towns and businesses, a true
will recognize the truth of the One G-d While, arguably, the secular Zionist Jewish revival must include “invest[ing]
and His Torah. project was mostly accomplished by to increase the light of Torah in the
What is the relevance of these proph- the establishment and strengthening of Land of our lives… and then the holy
ecies for Jews living in an imperfect the State of Israel, for Rav Kook, this is and loyal spirit of the Jewish people will
world? What should be our takeaway just the beginning. Partnering with G-d be revealed through the entire enter-
when we read these soul stirring to bring redemption after 1948 means prise.” By doing so, Rav Kook writes,
descriptions during the tragic times of trying to actualize the whole gamut we will fulfil the words of the Midrash
exile? of messianic prophecies within our of “act[ing] together with G-d” to bring
individual and national lives. It means redemption (Ma’amarei HaRe’iyah, pg.
Background illustration of Rav Kook courtesy of www.gedolimcanvas.com
One approach is that these prophe- deeply studying the Torah’s descriptions 73).
cies are intended for consolation and of the end of days and actively using
encouragement. The promise of a this “light of Mashiach” to help navigate Partnering with G-d to create a
bright future provides us with succor our path in the present (Orot, Yisrael redeemed reality is a multifaceted
and hope even as we live through the UTechiyato, 20). project. Even as we thank G-d for what
depravity of the present. But on a we have, we still must actively work
practical level these prophecies should In line with this broader conception of towards making life in Israel pulsate
have little impact on our behaviors. Religious Zionism, Rav Kook cited the with the spirituality and morality of the
Our job is to punctiliously observe the above Midrash in at least two different Torah. We must be a part of creating
commandments and fervently pray for contexts. In 1906, Rav Kook wrote a the utopian society that we want to live
redemption. G-d will then see that we public letter in which he urged Jews within.
are worthy of redemption and He alone living in the diaspora to immigrate to
the Land of Israel. After describing the
will send Mashiach to redeem us. May we merit to partner with G-d
virtues of living in the Land and the his- towards the material and spiritual
Rav Kook, however, taught a different torical changes that made it an oppor- redemption of the Jewish people, and
approach. In his view, redemption is tune time to make the move, Rav Kook ultimately, the whole world.
not solely something to be awarded wrote: Who is so blind that he cannot see
but a goal to be actively pursued. The the hand of G-d that is guiding us, and
prophecies regarding the ingathering who does not feel a personal obligation Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein is a faculty
of the exiles and the establishment of a to “act together with G-d” (Ma’amarei member of Michlelet Mevaseret Yerusha-
Jewish state normatively obligate us to HaRe’iyah, p. 324). layim and Yeshiva University.

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