The Cleansing Light
„The illuminating soul – all its flaws are revealed before it; therefore it dwells always in repentance.”From Pinkas HaDapim III, 37
We are accustomed to the saying that when the soul illumines, everything looks better – "even skies wrapped in fog produce a pleasant light," as Rav Kook's astonishing motto for the month of Marcheshvan puts it. But when there is a great light, one suddenly sees the lack. The difficulty. The need for repair. When the soul illumines, when there is a great light, one sees in the clearest way the flaws that are not seen in the dark... This light, when it is inner and deep and true, fills us with the desire to repair the flaws. To build something more whole. And also to make peace with what and who we are. This astonishing process is not easy. It is full of soul-searching and difficulties. But it makes us better and happier in the final test of the outcome.
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.