Gratitude
„Gratitude is the greatest and most sublime moral pillar, which, when it develops fully in the hearts of human beings, will greatly aid the general repair.”From Ein Ayah, Shabbat 1:14
There is a moral standing shared by very many human beings, and that is gratitude. The vast majority of the world knows how to be grateful - knows how to give thanks for the things given to it, and as a result behaves in a decent and good manner. Rav Kook marks "gratitude" as a gateway to the repair of the world and to the softening of hearts - a softening that can do its work through a greater and broader gratitude toward the Holy One, and toward all of reality. And consequently, it causes a person to act for good, out of the recognition of the good.
*
The study is dedicated to the safekeeping and return of Oded Lifshitz (88), who was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz together with his wife Yocheved.
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.