Page 36 - HaMizrachi #14 2019 Chayei Sarah USA

RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein

THE STRENGTH

OF NOTHINGNESS

ix months after the horrific times, our lives seem to be in a On the one hand, we must level-
Hebron massacre of 1929, Rav perpetual state of freefall. headedly consider the challenges and
SKook spoke at a memorial honestly assess our short and long-
ceremony for the victims. In his What, then, stands as the world’s term goals. Precious resources, effort
brief but poignant presentation, solid and stable foundation, providing and of course human life should not
Rav Kook highlighted the various it with a sense of order and purpose? be wasted on irresponsible ventures.
ways that Hebron is the yesod – What gives us hope in moments of Rather, we must painstakingly plan
foundation – of the Jewish people. despair? how to best slowly and incrementally
Our forefathers and mothers lived The answer is the realization that plow ahead.
and are buried there, it was where what at first appears as “nothingness”
Calev prayed before the episode of and lack of foundation, is really the But we cannot let the formidable
the Spies, and it was the founding “arms” of G-d. Beyond the chaos challenges stymie our drive. We must
capital of David’s eternal dynasty. and the randomness is G-d Himself always remember that the foundation
of Hebron and the Land of Israel is not
As such, connecting to Hebron means cradling Creation, allowing it to grow in the “army or strength” of finances,
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connecting to the very foundation of and flourish. manpower, and politicians – as
our nation. As Rav Kook put it: “The foundation of important as they are – but “the spirit

But what is the foundation of Hebron nothingness (belimah) is the strongest of G-d,” the seeming “nothingness”
that is the most potent force of
itself? What is the foundation of the of foundations – ‘for our Rock is not all.
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city that is the platform for our people like their rock’.” It is when we are
and history? conscious that no earthly object, While Rav Kook’s words were said in
person or idea can provide true a particular historical context, they
Rav Kook offered a surprising answer: 1 stability, we discover the true rock- are highly relevant for many of our
“This foundation [of Hebron] is the solid foundation of the world – G-d – collective and individual ventures. At
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foundation upon which the entire in this nothingness. times, the world seems chaotic and
world was created: the foundation overwhelming. Our carefully laid
of nothingness (belimah), [as the Rav Kook argued that this realization plans are thwarted by forces beyond
verse states]: ‘He hangs the world on was essential for the future our control and we are left with what
nothingness’ (toleh eretz al beli mah).” 2 development of Hebron and the seems like nothing. In these moments,
expansion of the Jewish settlement
What does this mean? What is this in the Land of Israel. In 1930, the let us remember the true foundation
“nothingness”? challenges involved in reestablishing of Hebron, the Land of Israel and all
the Jewish community in Hebron of life: G-d, who “hangs the world on
While Rav Kook does not directly seemed insurmountable. Similarly, nothingness.”
explain the relevance of this verse, a serious security, political, and
glance at Rashi’s commentary brings religious impediments stood in the 1 Ma’amarei HaRe’iyah, p. 462.
his intention into sharp relief. Rashi way of the proper development of 2 Iyov 26:7.
comments, “There is nothing in the the Jewish community in the Land of 3 Translation adapted from Chabad.org.
foundation because the world stands Israel. An outside, ‘objective’ observer 4 Devarim 32:31.
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Presumably, on a deeper level, Rav Kook is
in the air on the strength of the arms might have reached the conclusion also alluding to the Chassidic notion that
of the Holy One, blessed be He.” 3 that the entire Zionist enterprise “there is nothing other than G-d” as he
describes in Shemonah Kevatzim 1:96.
Independently, there is no foundation was a doomed venture, just a fool’s 6 Zechariah 4:6.
for the world, no anchor to keep it dream.
stable and moored. The world is To navigate this predicament, Rav
a chaotic place where destructive Kook advocated a dual approach. Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein is a faculty
of
Michlelet
Mevaseret
member
entropy often reigns supreme. At Yerushalayim and Yeshiva University
36 | Background illustration of Rav Kook courtesy of www.gedolimcanvas.com