{"id":101,"date":"2021-01-16T22:38:59","date_gmt":"2021-01-16T22:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/?page_id=101"},"modified":"2021-01-16T22:48:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-16T22:48:05","slug":"rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabbinic acclaim of &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221; by Pinchas Polonsky"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><strong>Translated from Hebrew,<a href=\"http:\/\/orot-yerushalaim.org\/pp_book_ravkook_recommendation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <u>see originals here.<\/u><\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2a5eeea0f0\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e2a5eeea0f0\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/#Rabbi_Yitzhak_Shilat_Birkat_Moshe_Yeshiva\" >Rabbi Yitzhak Shilat, Birkat Moshe Yeshiva<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/#Rabbi_Yakov_Halevi_Filber_Merkaz_HaRav_Yeshiva\" >Rabbi Yakov Halevi Filber, Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/#Dr_Yair_Barkai_Lifshitz_College\" >Dr. Yair Barkai, Lifshitz College<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/#Yair_Dreyfus_Siah_Yitzhak_Yeshiva\" >Yair Dreyfus, Siah Yitzhak Yeshiva<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/rabbinic-acclaim-of-religious-zionism-of-rav-kook-by-pinchas-polonsky\/#Rabbi_Uri_Sherki_Machon_Meir_Center\" >Rabbi Uri Sherki, Machon Meir Center<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rabbi_Yitzhak_Shilat_Birkat_Moshe_Yeshiva\"><\/span>Rabbi Yitzhak Shilat, Birkat Moshe Yeshiva<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Upon reading of your pamphlet &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221;, I would like to express my admiration for your writing style. Your creative interpretation is truly a refreshing piece of work. You succeeded in an endeavor in which many before you have failed, namely, to use lucid, simple (in the deepest sense of the word) language to translate Rav Abraham Yitzhak Kook&#8217;s profound philosophy in a way that accurately reflects the events that take place in reality. You were able to subtly present the reader with important concepts from Jewish mysticism that lie at the very foundation of Rav Kook&#8217;s thought, and tie them in with today&#8217;s ideological and social reality.<br \/>\nThis pamphlet is small in quantity but great in quality, and I think it can speak to the hearts of many. For the most part, it will be of interest to open-minded, intelligent people for whom mentioning concepts such as &#8220;development of Judaism&#8221; will not deter them from delving into, and contemplating, the text.<br \/>\nEven I, who has somewhat been involved with the Rav&#8217;s works for many years, have gained from reading the pamphlet. I wish you much luck in your effort to spread your ideas and thereby influence the public.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rabbi Yitzhak\u00a0Shilat,\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><em>Birkat Moshe Yeshiva<\/em><br \/>\nLeading scholar of philosophy and teachings of Rav Abraham Isaac Kook and Maimonides, senior faculty member at the Birkat Moshe Yeshiva in\u00a0 Maale Adumim.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rabbi_Yakov_Halevi_Filber_Merkaz_HaRav_Yeshiva\"><\/span>Rabbi Yakov Halevi Filber, Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Among the abundant literature about the immeasurable teachings of Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook, the works of the greatest significance are those which make Rav Kook\u2019s philosophy accessible to the common reader.<br \/>\nR. Pinchas Polonsky\u2019s work &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221; is one of a kind, because not only does it bring Rav Kook\u2019s ideas closer to the general public, but also explains how Rav Kook\u2019s philosophy can help solve some of the issues in contemporary Israeli society\u2014he does so intelligently and uses clear explanations suitable for everyone while remaining loyal to Jewish tradition. May he be blessed for this endeavor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rabbi Yakov Halevi Filber,<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva<\/em><br \/>\nSenior faculty member at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, foremost student of Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook, leading disciple of Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, scholar and publisher of Rabbi Kook&#8217;s unpublished work.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dr_Yair_Barkai_Lifshitz_College\"><\/span>Dr. Yair Barkai, Lifshitz College<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I found the pamphlet &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221; to be of great interest, and I believe it should be made accessible to our BA and MA students in the Jewish Philosophy Department. Maybe it would even be a good idea to create a course encompassing the main ideas of the article.<br \/>\nThe ideas are significant because they attempt to understand the holy texts from a modern perspective, and thus instill the concept of &#8220;The Living Torah&#8221; within our students.<br \/>\nI especially enjoyed reading the third chapter that deals with halacha (Jewish law) and mussar (Jewish ethics) in contemporary Jewish life. (It would also be suitable for the &#8220;Jewish People in our Times&#8221; course taught at our college.)<br \/>\nThank you very much!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dr. Yair Barkai,<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Lifshitz College<\/em><br \/>\nHeadmaster of The Lifshitz Religious Academic College for Education in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yair_Dreyfus_Siah_Yitzhak_Yeshiva\"><\/span>Yair Dreyfus, Siah Yitzhak Yeshiva<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Pinchas Polonsky\u2019s pamphlet &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221; is small in quantity but great in quality. I was lucky to study Rav Kook\u2019s philosophy with Pinchas along with other friends on many Friday nights. The book can open a window to Rav Kook\u2019s world for the many who have not yet experienced the Light of the Light-Seer.<br \/>\nMay you have continued success in Torah!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rabbi Yair Dreyfus,<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Rosh of the Siah YitzhakYeshiva<\/em><br \/>\nLeading scholar of philosophy and teachings of Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, author of books and articles on Rav Kook, founder and head of the Siach Yitzchak Yeshiva in Gush Etzion.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rabbi_Uri_Sherki_Machon_Meir_Center\"><\/span>Rabbi Uri Sherki, Machon Meir Center<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>I was delighted with your superb work about the development of Judaism according to Rav Kook\u2019s philosophy. Your pamphlet spreads before the reader a dimension of novelty in Rav Kook\u2019s school of thought, not as an apologetics of religion and not as hesitant humanistic open-mindedness, but as a complete and conscious plan meant to lend impetus to a radical change in the human vision of various cultures. You were able to emphasize the demanding sides of his teachings that do not leave any sector of the society in peace, not even the Religious Zionists. You did all this in an unbiased fashion, emanating from an authentic search for truth and a love for the Jewish People and mankind, and above all, a love of God that surges in your soul. This love elevates you to the rank of idealists, those who know how to build a new world by altering the transient world order. Your words are worthy for reflection by anyone who desires good and uprightness.<br \/>\nMany blessings!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rabbi Uri Sherki,<\/strong>\u00a0<em>Machon Meir Center<\/em><br \/>\nChairman of Brit Olam Noahide World Center, a senior lecturer at Machon Meir Center for Jewish Studies, one of intellectual leaders of a movement for modernization of Judaism in Israel, and an author of numerous works on Jewish thought and philosophy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Translated from Hebrew, see originals here. Rabbi Yitzhak Shilat, Birkat Moshe Yeshiva Upon reading of your pamphlet &#8220;Religious Zionism of Rav Kook&#8221;, I would like to express my admiration for your writing style. Your creative interpretation is truly a refreshing piece of work. You succeeded in an endeavor in which many before you have failed, &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-101","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105,"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/101\/revisions\/105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pinchaspolonsky.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}