23 April 2012 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook

„At the very planting of this people... there was revealed the aspirat…”

„At the very planting of this people... there was revealed the aspiration to establish a great human community that would 'keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice'... For the fulfillment of this aspiration it is specifically necessary that this community be possessed of a political and social state and a throne of national kingdom at the height of human culture, 'a wise and understanding people, and a great nation,' with the absolute Divine idea ruling there and giving life to the people and to the land through this light.”From Orot, LeMahalach HaIde'ot BeYisrael

In order to bring into effect the power of a people, in order to bring to light the might of a people, tools are required. The People of Israel needed a state so that their great light would break through and illuminate the whole world.

It is true that the great goal is that the People of Israel be a moral people, keeping the way of the ancestral Israel (derech Yisrael saba) and believing in the God of Israel. But even if we have not yet fully arrived at rest and inheritance, the very fact that we live in the State of Israel is a great step on the way to complete redemption.

Further in the passage the Rav speaks of how, alongside the great ideals, a state needs sociality, politics, economy, and weaponry for the sake of its success.

We have merited and seen with our own eyes the rise of the State of Israel each and every day. Let us thank God for the great miracle and let us all pray that we advance further, until the complete redemption and the coming of our righteous Messiah.

Have a pleasant rest of the day, everyone!

In memory of Eliezer ben Nachman of blessed memory.