7 January 2026 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

Do Not Fear Greatness

„A person must recognize his inner talent, and know within himself whether he was created for great things. Let him not be alarmed by the sin of pride in recognizing the level of his intellect and the value of the inclination of his will.”From Shemonah Kevatzim, I 318

The matters here were sent to the great people whom you have merited to know in your lives. This is important. If you were created for great things you usually know it, not out of arrogance but out of the responsibility that rests upon you, from the people surrounding you, and through the inner sense that you cannot be content with the small, the safe, the familiar. Fleeing from greatness in the name of humility is worse than pride, for there is here a missing of a mission. And when you merit to do your role in the world, and to reach greatness, you will illuminate the light out of which and for the sake of which you were created.

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