Pessimism as an Engine for Evil
„When pessimism grows strong and makes wretched the spirit of man, it is bound to arrive at that very recognition that evil is an abiding force, welling up sources of wickedness from its deep nature.”From Orot HaKodesh II, 484
We are fed up already. All of us are fed up. And when we look ahead, the horizon is not to be seen. The numbers of the dead, the hostages who are there, the quarrels of the politicians, and the babble of the media — all of it together brings about complete disgust. Rav Kook explains the problem of pessimism: it is an engine for evil. Just as optimism is a train toward good, and a person who looks positively upon reality makes it better, so too pessimism is an engine for evil, and it bears a weapon for the enemy. This is very hard, but our optimism is an engine for the front and the home front. "One must be joyful!" — precisely when things are bad. And in this way, God willing, joy will truly cling to us, and it will ease our forces' task of eradicating the evil!
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This study is dedicated to the safety and return of Ofer Kalderon (50), who was abducted from his home in Nir Oz together with his two children.
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From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.