Yehudah Mirsky takes on one of the most interesting figures in twentieth century Judaism in Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revolution (Jewish Lives). Rav Kook was a figure of immense learning, compassion, fierce intellect, and eclectic aesthetic moods.
He is far wider known in Israel than in the United States, mainly because some of his writings about the Land of Israel became the theological base for the West Bank and Gaza settler movement.
But Mirsky shows that Rav Kook was a far wider thinker, concerned with more than real estate, constantly struggling with opposing forces he tried to harmonize. As such he was a dynamic thinker, remaking himself and his ideas about Judaism, nationalism, socialism… and everything.
The “real” Rav Kook will never be found because he was a rarity among people: vigorous and unafraid to change his mind.
He is far wider known in Israel than in the United States, mainly because some of his writings about the Land of Israel became the theological base for the West Bank and Gaza settler movement.
But Mirsky shows that Rav Kook was a far wider thinker, concerned with more than real estate, constantly struggling with opposing forces he tried to harmonize. As such he was a dynamic thinker, remaking himself and his ideas about Judaism, nationalism, socialism… and everything.
The “real” Rav Kook will never be found because he was a rarity among people: vigorous and unafraid to change his mind.
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