Rav Kook on the Weekly Torah Portion

Rav Kook on the Weekly Parasha

Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook in Switzerland (1914)

There is no such thing as ahavat chinam (groundless love). Why groundless? He is a Jew, and I am obligated to respect him.
There is only sinat chinam – hate without reason.
But ahavat chinam? Never!

VaYikra (Leviticus) VaYikra

Black Fire on White Fire
Animal Sacrifices in the Third Temple?
Sacrifices vs. Fasting
The Inner Light of Destruction
The Goal of Sacrifices
The Purpose of Sacrifices

Tzav

Appreciating Boundaries
The Olah Offering and Prophesy
The Purifying Fire of the Burnt Offering
The Prohibition of Cheilev

Shemini

Purification by Immersion in Water
The Error of Nadav and Avihu
Mourning for Nadav and Avihu
The Priestly Benediction

Tazria-Metzora

Purifying Time and Soul
A Return to Ritual Purity
Man versus Mosquito
Shiloh and the Birth-Offerings
The Power of Speech
Rabbi Abba Arrives in Babylonia

Acharei Mot

The Ox and the Goat
The Goat for Azazel
The Triple Measure of Incense

Kedoshim

Holiness in Physical Pleasure
Sha'atnez: A Glimpse into the Future
Peah and Lessons in Tzedakah
Love Your Neighbor
First Impressions
Admonish Your Neighbor

Emor

Kohanim and the Illusion of Death
Eating Before Yom Kippur
The Omer Controversy

BeHar

Jubilee – National Reconciliation
Freeing Slaves
Shemitah – Window into the Future
The Hetter Mechira for the Sabbatical Year
The Intrinsic Sanctity of Eretz Yisrael

BeChukotai

Prophetic Letters
Judicial Corruption
Why Exile?