Page 40 - HaMizrachi Australia Rosh HaShana Yom Kippur 5781

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein

A Teshuva

of Togetherness

ow can we unite in this can only engage in proper repentance working together to connect with G-d
separation?” These words after understanding several kabbalis- while the sinner severs himself from
“Hfrom “Keter Melucha,” tic assertions regarding the cosmos. this joint mission. This leaves the
Ishay Ribo’s corona-related song, sinner in the unnatural and confusing
express one of the key challenges The first principle is that G-d state of detachment and aloneness.
of the past few months. We live in a imprinted a sense of positive dyna-
time of separation and divisiveness. mism and movement into the world. This explains why sin, even those
Whether we are currently in a state Nothing is stable. The entire world between man and G-d, instills hatred
of a full lockdown or the new normal is “constantly developing” (Ibid. 5:3). of the other within the heart. Sin
of social distancing, physical separa- Societies rise and fall, only to have causes an abnormal separation from
tion between people has been one of better and more just societies arise the rest of the cosmos which leads to
the defining features of the corona in their wake (Ibid. 4:3). With the an unhealthy growth of one’s individ-
pandemic. This has often hurt our passage of time, biological organisms ual ego. This ultimately breeds hatred
sense of belonging to a broader family, evolve to become better adapted to and divisiveness.
social circle, or community. In addi- their environments (Shemonah Kev- Repentance is not only a personal
tion, this medically-mandated physi- atzim 1:485). And from a spiritual return to G-d but also a return to feel-
cal distancing has unfortunately been perspective, every entity, in its own ing reunited with the rest of creation.
accompanied by an uptick in tribal- way, naturally strives towards greater Through teshuva, a person regains
ism, fractured societies and demoni- and greater heights in the form of a his natural place in the harmonious
zations of the other. closer connection to G-d (Orot HaTe-
shuva 4:2). symphony of the cosmos. In fact, Rav
Surprisingly, according to Rav Kook, Kook writes that to do teshuva, one
one key method for achieving unity A second, interrelated point is that must view “the world as a whole, and
in a time of divisiveness is proper and this joint movement towards per- every particular creation, the history
sincere teshuva. In Orot HaTeshuva fection generates a sense of togeth- of humanity and each individual
(12:4), he writes: “Every sin, even the erness between all parts of creation. person… as a single book of differ-
most trivial of sins, instills in a person “The entire world is filled with har- ent chapters” (Ibid. 4:4). Only after
a feeling of hatred towards something, mony,” declared Rav Kook, since “the realizing the interconnectedness of
and through teshuva the love returns strong moral calling” to constantly all aspects of creation can the light
to shine.” grow closer to G-d emanates from of teshuva shine within the individual
“the united voice of each part of the person.
This assertion is surprising. Granted, cosmos” (Ibid. 8:7). Each individual
interpersonal sins can poison a social soul hears this unified calling and nat- We enter this High Holiday season in
environment. But there are private urally takes its place in this cosmic a world brimming with separation and
sins between man and G-d which do movement towards greater spiritual divisiveness. Our personal teshuva
not involve other people. How can heights. must be intimately bound with a deep
missing a prayer or eating milk and connection to others. In this way, we
meat instill hatred in one’s heart for For Rav Kook, this picture sets the can fix not only ourselves but also
other people? And how can repen- stage to understand the devastation foster a sense of harmony amongst
tance restore feelings of love? of sin. In addition to contaminating all of G-d’s creations.
the person, sin “causes distress to the
The answer requires a better under- heart since it contradicts the unity
standing of Rav Kook’s broad con- that exists between the individual Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein is a faculty
ceptualization of repentance. In Orot person and all of existence” (Ibid. member of Michlelet Mevaseret Yerusha-
HaTeshuva, he describes that a person 8:3). All of creation is harmoniously layim and Yeshiva University.

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