Shabbat Parashat Tzav 5782

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Study of Spirituality

Date and Place: 8 Tishrei 5668 (1907), Yafo

Recipient: R. Nachum Kahana Shapira and R. Shlomo Rabb, young rabbanim or yeshiva students in Jerusalem.

Body: [Rav Kook was in the midst of extolling the virtues of learning the “spiritual” elements of Torah, bemoaning the difficulties of implementing it, but urging the letter’s recipients to embark upon it as they were inclined.]

It may be, in the beginning, a little difficult to embark on such a course of study [of the more moralistic or kabbalistic elements of Torah] because the lack of regularity holds up clean beginnings. However, it will not take long for the “taste” of all spiritual study to turn to sweet as honey, no matter where in the broad sphere of Torah and fear of Hashem it is. Its pleasantness will influence the more practical elements of Torah as well as the health of the body and the soul and one’s inner tranquility, whose aura flows from Hashem’s upper Garden of Eden.

This will emerge gradually, with increasing inspiration on a daily basis. It increases loving connection with friends who also call out in the name of Hashem and who seek to honestly serve Hashem and seek out His name and paths. When such experiences increase and the strength of such servants of Hashem is elevated, gateways of light will open for excellent individuals, who will be able to turn bitter into sweet and dark into light. Then a new movement will begin with a wider podium for the service of Hashem of the scholars in Eretz Yisrael.

This will elevate the stature of the Torah and knowledge of Hashem with a wonderful banner. The words of such scholars will shock the “idol worshippers” and the misguided children of the world. The light of repentance will appear from Zion on all who seek it and on all of the Jewish exiles throughout the world. This reawakening will serve as the great shofar blast that will bring back those who are lost and distant, whether in Assyria or in Egypt (i.e., wherever the exiles will be) and come to bow down to Hashem on the holy mountain in Jerusalem (see Yeshayahu 27:13).

The strengthening of the general spirit to embrace sanctity and wisdom usually comes with much ado and is difficult to explain simply. However, eventually the flow of wisdom will facilitate an ability to express ideas clearly, and an impressive and broad new form of literature will emerge. It will relate to all elements of life and society. It will be so true and powerful that all will be compelled to respect and be awed by it. Its light of life will be so full of spiritual dew that even other elements of the Torah, including the great works of Halacha and halachic analysis, will pick up the fragrance of the pleasantness of Hashem in a revealed manner (until then, the deep connection to Hashem in these works will be hidden). All of the elements that darkened and caused bitterness to the heart will disappear. Certainly, the joining together of adherents, which is crucial in order to reach the full honor of Torah, will flower with grand bouquets full of sanctity and true rejoicing in the true G-d.

New areas of inquiry will open up and grandly illuminate broad avenues of life. Without a doubt, even the improvement of the physical lot of Eretz Yisrael’s scholars and the general population of Eretz Yisrael and the Jewish people, depends on these positive developments. In short, we need to seek to know Hashem in truth and justice. “Seek Hashem and His strength, constantly seek His face” (Tehillim 105:4). Everything is included in this.

I hope that you will strengthen yourselves in service of Hashem and be diligent in improving in the area that you identified as “speaking to you” (the topic of the letter). May Hashem share with us His light and salvation for His Name, His nation, His Land, and His lot.

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