Shabbat Parashat Mishpatim 5785

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Advice on Studying Spirituality – #301

Recipient and Background: Rav Zvi Hirsch Weisfish, a prominent rabbi in Yerushalayim, whose milieu was mainly “opponents” of Rav Kook.

Body: Regarding your request for advice about strengthening service of Hashem with joy and strength, it is very difficult to clarify succinctly any element of such pure service. The entire motivation I can give for myself and those like me is to set serious amounts of time for study of all applications of the spiritual parts of the Torah, which must not be relegated to a “quiet corner,” to be read in passing. [If we study it properly,] the light of the soul will shine, and a spirit of joy and strength will be beat in the heart of one who seeks pure truth. I can, though, tell you one major rule, which takes intensive study to understand in its full depth. It also facilitates developing the desire to love Hashem and His holy Torah’s light.

Obviously, if you offer even the lowliest person to do an act of kindness for the entire world, in all its aspects of existence, he would be inspired with joy and strength to do good. Laziness and listlessness come because a person does not believe the level of good for the world that involvement in Torah, mitzvot, service of Hashem, and fine characteristics accomplishes. For this reason, Hashem brought light to our eyes through the words of the highest, sacred people, the experts in the true traditions (Kabbala). They removed the covers to inform us of the great impact of service of Hashem and the way to elevate all of existence, as a collective and as individuals.

However, we must relate the matter to intellectual perception to make the encouragement strong and the joy well grounded. This comes with understanding of the unity of spirituality, i.e., the light of every individual’s soul is connected to the all-inclusive soul of the universe, from which every element of existence draws the light of its completeness. Torah wisdom, mitzvot, service of Hashem, and good characteristics, which can be done at any time, add light to our souls. At this time, if we concentrate on the idea that we do not care just about ourselves but about all of existence, for “all that Hashem created is for Him” (Mishlei 16:4), we add completeness and life to everything.

This light adds vigor to a righteous person’s service and somewhat “sweetens” the evil of the wicked and gives him thoughts of repentance. Even animals become more refined, to the extent each is capable. Destructive creatures become gentler, due to the added aura of sanctity of the soul that intended to make an impact on the broadest level. Good actions with broad intentions clearly increase the light in the higher levels of souls and all the levels of the spiritual world, which are boundlessly beautiful and grandly holy. [Making this impact] is most proper for all members of the sacred nation. This is all the more so for those who live on sacred soil, especially those who merit to live in Hashem’s city, to which all existence in the physical and spiritual worlds are connected, like branches are attached to the trunk and roots.

I am confident that the positive impact [of such actions/intent] will grow the more this principle is made clear and internalized with intellectual and spiritual depth, which happens best when people learn Torah, especially Kabbala, for noble reasons. This is true of the study of works on knowing Hashem, whether based on human intellect or Hashem’s secrets to those who fear Him. This increases in his heart and soul the light of joy and strength in love of Hashem, mitzvot, and the Torah’s sanctity.

The full impact on the universe is when members of His holy nation produce the light when they are elevated by living on Hashem’s soil. For this reason, the light of awaiting the ultimate liberation will always be connected to the life of the soul. When a flow [of life] breaks forth from the appropriate holy utterings, at opportune times, a new, pleasant light will appear, which will make harsh judgments “sweeter.” Then, a person can pray broadly for all his desires, mainly the spiritual ones, but also the physical ones in a minor way. Hashem will not hold back good from those who walk in purity. One must be very careful, in natural ways, about the health of the body and spirit and avoid feelings of fear and irritability. He must train himself in the way of vigor and joy, as “Vigor and happiness is in His place” (Divrei Hayamim I, 16:27).

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