Page 48 - HaMizrachi #29 Yom HaAtzmaut 2021 USA

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND RAV KOOK’S TEACHINGS

Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein

Partnering with G-d

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

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