„The great, general matter of...”

(LeMahalach HaIdeot BeYisrael / On the Progression of Ideas in Israel)

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In this week's portion Scripture speaks of reward and punishment in our world. Corresponding to positive action there is positive reward, and corresponding to negative action comes punishment. Among all the things written in the portion, and in Scripture in general, the World to Come is not mentioned at all; rather, the entire reference is to our own world. Rav Kook explains this as part of a healthy system that does not need the World to Come (the ungraspable) as a threat or a reward. In our world there are consequences to deeds because of the fact that the Holy One is with us. And thus the mending of our deeds and of the world will improve our lives.

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