Raising the Sparks
„It is impossible to overcome any general evil uprising, whether in the world at large or in Israel in particular, except by taking all the aspects that it contains and leading them along the way of goodness and holiness.”From Shemonah Kevatzim I, 216
The way to overcome evil at its depth is to lead it from its place of good. In Kabbalah there is a concept of raising the sparks; its basis is that in everything there is a bit of good, and when one finds the good, one elevates everything through it. The 'way of holiness' is a way that adapts itself to reality and illuminates the light of God through it. Does this mean everyone must be the same? According to Judaism, absolutely not. The way of holiness, for example, with one who is not Jewish does not demand the keeping of the commandments; there is no Jewish 'mission,' and Judaism opposes such a thing. But it did introduce into the world the foundations of the seven Noahide laws, which are social and ethical commandments; that is, it does not impose itself in a destructive manner, but adapts itself to each and every situation. In closing this explanation, I would add that there is of course evil whose only remedy is precisely its destruction, and about this Rav Kook writes elsewhere.
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.