24 October 2023 · A sentence from the teachings of Rav Kook
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Not Afraid
„The source of all weakness and all frailty — material, moral, and intellectual — is only fear that oversteps its bound; it threatens the person, so that he does nothing for his salvation, that he does not lift a finger for his rescue, lest he be harmed, lest he bring upon himself an evil beyond atonement, until it makes him weak and full of frailty, until, from laziness and inaction, he falls into every evil.”From 'The Fear,' Ikvei HaTzon
Fear is one of the greatest threats to humanity. A fear that paralyzes one from acting and repairing. A fear that does not allow us to advance. If there is anything we must fight, it is those who try to appeal to this emotion within us — those who try to warn and frighten us away from any change. Against fear stands courage, which will build and act to change and to accelerate processes.
Unequivocally we are obligated in the trait of caution, and obligated in humility. But caution is not fear! It is utterly different from a trait whose whole purpose is to paralyze. We must not fear!
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.