„Our young people go astray, they grow ever more distant from the path…”
„Our young people go astray, they grow ever more distant from the path of the Torah and of faith, and the matter instills despair in the hearts of many. Many conclude that it is a thing beyond remedy, because such is the assumption—that those who have taken a large part in European literature cannot possibly be people of religion... Our Torah is worthy of being a religion accepted and close to the heart even of the most enlightened sage, and all the more of the wisest of the wise; and the more his wisdom truly increases, the more his faith and his love for the Torah and its commandments will increase... Therefore we have no other remedy but to teach them—our enlightened young people—the fundamentals of the Torah in a manner suited and acceptable according to all the winds in the world that come and blow from the side of the increase of wisdom in the world.”From LeNevuchei HaDor, Chapter 11
One of the hard blows to Judaism came with the era of the Enlightenment (Haskalah). Very many of the enlightened of the people abandoned religion and kicked at Judaism in favor of the Enlightenment.
Rav Kook refers to the matter in his book about 100 years ago. He does not blame the Enlightenment; he does not at all point an accusing finger. Rav Kook is certain that one who truly knows the Jewish religion knows that its wisdom is abundant and greater than all the wisdoms combined. We have nothing to be ashamed of.
Consequently, if the tools have changed, we must know and present the strength of our religion with the other tools—not to change anything of the tradition of the fathers, but to know and to speak in a language in which everyone will understand the strength of the Jewish religion and its wisdom. 'Old wine in a new vessel.'
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For the recovery of Roza bat Bova
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.