„And behold, as the footsteps of the Messiah son of Joseph, the vision…”
„And behold, as the footsteps of the Messiah son of Joseph, the vision of Zionism was revealed in our generation, inclining most toward the general aspect, and because of the deficiency of its preparation the forces do not unite... until the lack of success caused conflicts of opinion and strife among brothers, who went along such a dangerous path that the chief leader fell slain from the constraint of evil and sorrow.”From HaMisped BiYerushalayim
On this day 121 years ago, at the age of only 44, the visionary of the state, Benjamin Ze'ev Herzl, passed away. Among those who eulogized him was Rav Kook, who compared his work to the Messiah son of Joseph. In Rav Kook's conception, the practical, material preparation is an inseparable part of the ability to hold sovereignty in the Land of Israel and in the State of Israel. Herzl was a cornerstone in the return of the people of Israel to its land, and his vision was an opening to mass immigration. Rav Kook's call, in his eulogy at Herzl's grave, is for the connection between the Messiah son of Joseph and the Messiah son of David, and between the material, Zionist movement and the spiritual movement. The combining of the two together is the opening to redemption.
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.