Emet / Truth
Chief Rabbi Sacks: Dignity of Difference
posted Friday, 25 May 2007
While browsing the Lookjed forum, I came across an amazing
reference, posted by R’Gil Student. It is a massive collection of sources in
short book form by Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on Judaism’s positive view of other
religions and nations. Fascinating stuff, it can be found here. Enjoy!
Its introduction begins with a quote from Rav Kook, from his sefer “Orot Hakodesh”, truly beautiful and insightful:
When the knowledge of G-d is suffused by a great love, when it is pervaded by its true illumination, according to the capacity of each soul to receive it, there radiates from its absolute light a love for the world, for all worlds, for all creatures, on all levels of their being . . . When these love-possessed people see the world, especially living creatures full of quarrels, hatred, persecutions and conflicts, they yearn with all their being to share in those aspirations that move life toward comprehensiveness and unity, peace and tranquillity. They feel and know that the nearness of G-d, for which they yearn, can only lead them to joining themselves with all and for the sake of all. When they confront the human scene, and find divisions among nations, religions, parties, with goals in conflict, they endeavour with all their might to bring all together, to mend and to unite . . . They want that every particular shall be preserved and developed, and that the collective whole shall be united and abounding in peace. (R. Abraham Isaac Kook, Orot haKodesh, II: 442-43)
comments (1)
1. david g. left...
Friday, 25 May 2007 7:16 pm
Rav Kook is giving a great and beautiful interpretation of what it means
the emulate God - Vehalachta Biderachav.