Do Not Despair

In his article "LeHosif Ometz" ("To Add Courage"), Rav Kook brings a parable describing the digging of a well in dry ground, out of faith that living waters will one day burst forth and quench man and earth. The passage describes with a master's hand the despair of the workers and the immense difficulty of the labor. The main collapse of spirit comes precisely upon reaching the water, which turns out to be full of mire and mud. Many of the diggers withdraw, full of despair and rage. Facing them stand the believing diggers, who call to those withdrawing to continue just a little longer, so that living waters will burst forth and flow. The Rav compares this scene to life itself, and also to reality in days of crisis in the Zionist movement. Whoever does not despair, and continues to act, builds a future for himself and for those who come after him. We must repeat and remember this — to teach our children and to be a personal example. We do not despair. We continue!

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For the elevation of the soul of my heroic friend Elchanan Klamanzon, who in his death last night in Kibbutz Be'eri saved the lives of countless people.