22 December 2025 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

The Holy and the Mundane

„In contrast to the Hellenization that struck at the foundation of faith... the court of the Hasmoneans decided to mention the Name of Heaven even in contracts, that is, to introduce a stream of holiness even into mundane life, to mention the foundation of faith even in the buying and selling of material acquisitions, and to fulfill what is said, 'In all your ways know Him.'”From The Society for Torah and Literature - "Yerushalayim," the Rav's lecture, 26th of Kislev 5691

The struggle against Hellenization was a struggle over the very possibility of mentioning the Name of Heaven within life itself. The Greeks sought to sever faith from the public and practical sphere. In response to this, the court of the Hasmoneans ordained mentioning the Name of Heaven in contracts as a deep spiritual move that returns holiness into the mundane; this is the fulfillment of "In all your ways know Him" as a form of life, in which the light does not remain in the study hall alone, but illuminates every corner of life.

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