Shabbat Parashat Tazria Metzora 5785

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Reassuring His Parents – #314 – part I

Recipient and Background: Rav Kook’s parents, who were still in Europe. The main topic is to calm his parents’ upset at the criticism Rav Kook was receiving from respected rabbis regarding his stance on Shemitta.  

Body: [The letter, of course, starts with warm greetings full of respect.]

I very much request of my respected, beloved parents that they should not have any emotional pain from all the matters of dispute, which, because of the interest of the moshavot (Rav Kook was the rabbi of many of them), I am compelled to be involved in. There is nothing to be upset about.

Thank G-d, our Holy Land is increasingly being built before our eyes. This fulfills the word of Hashem as given down by His servants, the prophets, about the return to Zion and the flowering of the horn of salvation for the House of Israel on holy soil, which is increasingly becoming filled in His great kindness. Those returning from exile are increasingly coming with enthusiasm to the cities of Judea, which have begun to shake off the dirt of desolation. Our eyes see and are happy!

Thank G-d, we are being filled with historic joy and hope, as Hashem’s hand, full of kindness for His afflicted nation and His Land, which has been desolate for so many centuries, comes to their aid. We are so blessed by Hashem to be able to be involved, whether in a more or a less recognizable manner. This is the greatest, loftiest joy. It provides enough to counteract a measure of criticism or slight pain from an unpleasant feeling, which appears for a moment when a person sees that this person or that person acts in a manner that is undesirable to one who loves and pampers himself too much (i.e., Rav Kook).

I am thankful to Hashem Who made my life and Who arranged in His lofty manner that I should be able to do my work, with my limited strength, on the mountains of Israel, at this auspicious time, when the flow of the life of Hashem’s nation is increasingly gathering [to the Land]. Hashem has raised me above the little things (i.e., reacting to harsh criticism), which do not affect my spirit and heart. It does not cloud over the glow of my clear goal to help people in religious matters and to be one of those who orchestrates the holy work of founding in Zion a strong and beautiful cornerstone, to be the basis of generations of the fearful nation who have been subjugated by the nations.

I am full of hope that just as the steps of broadening the physical Yishuv will continue, with Hashem’s help, so will there be parallel progress in spiritual matters. In the physical sphere, we have relied on well-grounded leniency as we make the difficult transition to a more developed community for the holy nation in its natural homeland. We look forward to, in the spiritual realm, desirable steps to accompany the desire for the honor and splendor of spirituality, which are deeply embedded in the holy nation’s soul. This spirituality finds expression in the love of the sanctity of the Land and all of the mitzvot connected to it, especially the lofty mitzva of Shemitta. I am not bothered at all by those who seek this goal of maintaining the sanctity of the Land and dedication to the sanctity of related mitzvot in a naïve way, without becoming familiar with the depths of life of the beam of light that come from the mountains of Israel, which raise a holy voice foretelling salvation. This is as Judah is told, “Your salvation has come.” (Rav Kook is referring to those who believe in the mitvot of the Land but do not believe in developing the Land in practice, even when the time for it appears to be coming.) They believe they can get to the goal on a shorter path (not to make spiritual compromises to promote development of the Yishuv). Actually, it is longer and full of thorns, as they cause resentment in the heart of sons who are full of holy splendor for that which is sacred to Hashem, which will be presented to them in a pleasant manner that is full of Hashem’s charm and kindness.

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