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RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
“The holy temple must be built in our inner spirit every day through thoughts and acts of kindness and compassion. We need to know that when the longing to be good to all is intensified in us an illumination from the higher realm has reached us.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA
“Ascend towards the heights, ascend. You are of mighty prowess, you have wings to soar with, wings of mighty eagles. Do not fail them, lest they fail you; seek for them and they will be immediately ready for you.” -Rav Kook
OUR FREEDOM AND THE BURNING OF CHAMETZ
“Intrinsic freedom is that exalted spirit by which a person- as well as the nation as a whole- is inspired to remain faithful to their inner essence, to the spiritual attribute of the Divine image within. It is that attribute which enables one to feel that their life has purpose and value.” – Rav Kook
RAV KOOK’S ILLUMINATED GUIDE TO ENLIGHTENMENT: Step 2-BECOME A UNIVERSALIST
“We must raise our thought and will and basic preoccupations towards universality, to the inclusion of all, to the whole world, to the collective of Israel, to all existence.” -Rav Kook
RAV KOOK’S ILLUMINATED GUIDE TO ENLIGHTENMENT: Step 1- A CALL TO HIGHER CONTEMPLATION
“Ascend toward the heights, because you are of mighty prowess, you have wings to soar with, wings of mighty eagles.” -Rav Kook
The Inner Spark
The inner essence of the soul, which reflects, which lives the true spiritual life, must have absolute inner freedom. It experiences its freedom, which is life, through its originality in thought, which is its inner spark that can be fanned to a flame through study and concentration.
Nation
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
“The holy temple must be built in our inner spirit every day through thoughts and acts of kindness and compassion. We need to know that when the longing to be good to all is intensified in us an illumination from the higher realm has reached us.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
“IN COMES THE WINE, OUT COME THE SECRETS”
“Wine enters, and secrets emerge” (Eiruvin 65a). In our generation, we very much need our inner secrets to come out and be revealed. Through this revelation, we will discover that which is hidden in our souls and learn to recognize our true selves.”
RAV KOOK’S 1934 PURIM LETTER:”GO GATHER ALL THE JEWS”
“The eternal words ‘Go, gather all the Jews’ must once again revitalize and elevate us. In the final analysis, we are, and shall be one nation, and Israel shall once again rise to the eternal words ‘Go, gather all the Jews’.”- Rav Kook
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA
“Ascend towards the heights, ascend. You are of mighty prowess, you have wings to soar with, wings of mighty eagles. Do not fail them, lest they fail you; seek for them and they will be immediately ready for you.” -Rav Kook
RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY
“These are the laws of the higher moral Torah that is engaged in the quest for universal good.” Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT
“We are obligated not only to be holy individuals, but also, and especially to be ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’. We should aspire to establish a government worthy of the task.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
Humanity
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
“The holy temple must be built in our inner spirit every day through thoughts and acts of kindness and compassion. We need to know that when the longing to be good to all is intensified in us an illumination from the higher realm has reached us.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE
“We must kindle the light of eternal freedom and loving unification for all existence.”
RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY
“These are the laws of the higher moral Torah that is engaged in the quest for universal good.” Rav Kook ZT’L
RAVKOOK ON PARSHAT VAYESHEV: THE DIVINE COINCIDENCES THAT MOVE HISTORY TO ABSOLUTE GOOD
“We must recognize that even the most distant and seemingly unrelated actions and events are part of the precise-Divine Providence bringing existence to its highest good.”
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU
“The brotherly love of Esau and Yaakov and of Yitzchak and Ishmael will overcome all the disturbances and transform them to eternal light and compassion.”
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYETZEH: THE HOUSE OF JACOB’S UNIVERSAL MISSION
“The descendants of Yaakov Avinu must help humankind emerge from terrible spiritual and physical suffering and to bring it to a life of freedom full of splendor and bliss.”
Existence
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE
“We must kindle the light of eternal freedom and loving unification for all existence.”
RAV KOOK ON BREISHIT: BEGINNING NOW AND AGAIN AND BETTER THAN EVER
“The Torah of Israel clarifies how the state of the world and human ethics are dependent on each other. It is clear that the improvement of the world is dependent on ethical improvement. This is the essence of the Israelite understanding of the Creator. ”
RAV KOOK ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF HUMANKIND AND THE ENVIRONMENT
“We must recognize our covenant with the stones and animals of the field”
TU BE’AV- FIFTEENTH OF AV-THE HOLY DAY OF LOVE : Torat HaKabbala and Torat HaRav Kook
Rav Kook gave expression to the Torah of Love transforming from the the Torah of Yirah-Awe/Fear that characterized the Torah during our long exile from Israel.
WHAT RAV KOOK SAYS WE MUST DO IMMEDIATELY TO FIX THE WORLD: Step 1- OBEY THE LAWS OF NATURE
“We must act in harmony with the laws of life and protect the laws of nature, morality and the Torah. Thus we will repair and renew life’s vitality.”
The Power of Complete Fulfillment
The newest power that will be revealed in the world that will renew life with complete liberation is the great impact of the human will on the entire creation when it comes to its complete fulfillment.
Parshat Hashavua – Weekly TOrah Portion
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYAKHEL: WE MUST BUILD A TEMPLE OF GENEROSITY AND KINDNESS
“The holy temple must be built in our inner spirit every day through thoughts and acts of kindness and compassion. We need to know that when the longing to be good to all is intensified in us an illumination from the higher realm has reached us.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE
“We must kindle the light of eternal freedom and loving unification for all existence.”
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA
“Ascend towards the heights, ascend. You are of mighty prowess, you have wings to soar with, wings of mighty eagles. Do not fail them, lest they fail you; seek for them and they will be immediately ready for you.” -Rav Kook
RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY
“These are the laws of the higher moral Torah that is engaged in the quest for universal good.” Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT
“We are obligated not only to be holy individuals, but also, and especially to be ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’. We should aspire to establish a government worthy of the task.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYECHI-WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THESE END OF DAYS?
“We are called to a new future, full of the highest illumination, to a new era that will surpass in strength all the great eras that preceded it.”
Holy Days
“IN COMES THE WINE, OUT COME THE SECRETS”
“Wine enters, and secrets emerge” (Eiruvin 65a). In our generation, we very much need our inner secrets to come out and be revealed. Through this revelation, we will discover that which is hidden in our souls and learn to recognize our true selves.”
RAV KOOK’S 1934 PURIM LETTER:”GO GATHER ALL THE JEWS”
“The eternal words ‘Go, gather all the Jews’ must once again revitalize and elevate us. In the final analysis, we are, and shall be one nation, and Israel shall once again rise to the eternal words ‘Go, gather all the Jews’.”- Rav Kook
RAV KOOK ON CHANUKAH: KINDLING THE INDIVIDUAL AND UNIVERSAL LIGHT
“Each of us is required to kindle our unique light in order to help fully illuminate the world.”
THE LIGHTS OF RAV KOOK: SUKKOT JOY AND UNIVERSALITY
“The firmer our vision of universality- the greater the joy we will experience and the more we merit the grace of divine illumination.”
RAV KOOK ON YOM HAKIPPURIM:THE DAY OF AT-ONE-MENT
“On the holy day of Yom HaKippurim- we eat and drink from our holy inner voices of understanding.”
RAV KOOK ON ROSH HASHANA: RENEWING THE POWER OF RENEWAL
“As the year is renewed the power of renewal elevates the human will and adds holiness to all.”
Rav Kook/History
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE
“We must kindle the light of eternal freedom and loving unification for all existence.”
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT
“We are obligated not only to be holy individuals, but also, and especially to be ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’. We should aspire to establish a government worthy of the task.” -Rav Kook ZT’L
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYECHI-WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THESE END OF DAYS?
“We are called to a new future, full of the highest illumination, to a new era that will surpass in strength all the great eras that preceded it.”
RAV KOOK ON CHANUKAH: KINDLING THE INDIVIDUAL AND UNIVERSAL LIGHT
“Each of us is required to kindle our unique light in order to help fully illuminate the world.”
RAVKOOK ON PARSHAT VAYESHEV: THE DIVINE COINCIDENCES THAT MOVE HISTORY TO ABSOLUTE GOOD
“We must recognize that even the most distant and seemingly unrelated actions and events are part of the precise-Divine Providence bringing existence to its highest good.”
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU
“The brotherly love of Esau and Yaakov and of Yitzchak and Ishmael will overcome all the disturbances and transform them to eternal light and compassion.”
