19 November 2025 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

The Bank of Honor

„When a person is honored in the world, and his heart aches within him over that in which the world is mistaken about him, let him store away this ache and use it to bring joy at a time when it happens that he receives some insult.”From Middot HaRe'iyah, Kavod (Honor)

There are times when we feel that we are receiving praise for something we do not deserve, or excessive honor. Rav Kook offers here a revolutionary proposal... - to keep it in a special bank. This bank will help in moments of insult or great sorrow. In those situations, take a little of the mistaken honor they gave you then and take comfort in it... It seems to me that alongside the picturesque idea in this there is something very true. We are part of a great game in this world. Sometimes up and sometimes down. When we understand this thing and relate to it properly, we will find many balances and a calmer, better life.

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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.