2 January 2012 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

„One must be very careful of sadness, but not to such a great degree t…”

„One must be very careful of sadness, but not to such a great degree that it prevents the light of repentance from penetrating to the depths of the soul, for then sadness spreads like a malignant disease throughout all the extremities of the body and soul, because sin pains the heart and causes sadness to settle upon the burning bitterness of the fire of repentance, which even though...”

...it contains sorrowful parts, they are like a purifying fire, refining the soul, sustaining it and setting it upon the foundation of the natural, constant joy befitting it."

So much has been written about the problematic nature of the trait of sadness; there is no doubt that this trait is exceedingly destructive.

Rav Kook innovates in this passage that even this trait has a role; sadness can lead a person to repent for his deeds and to the thoughts that he must change his life for the better.

A pleasant day!

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