Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook (1865-1935), the first chief rabbi of Israel, was one of the greatest and most innovative Jewish minds of the previous century. His writings are primarily focused on the fate and mission of the nation of Israel.
Often overlooked, however, are his universalistic teachings. These sources encourage us to increase our love for all of humanity and see the divine good in everyone and everything. Here are a few of my favorite universalistic teachings from Rabbi Kook’s works.
In the following source, Rabbi Kook describes his burning love for all of humanity: “I love everything! I cannot but love all people, all nations. In the depths of my soul I wish for the splendor of everything, the rectification of all. My love for Israel burns more greatly and is deeper, but the inner desire, in its overpowering love, truly extends to everything. I feel no need to force this loving feeling; it emanates directly from the holy depths of the wisdom of the divine soul” (Shemonah Kevatzim 2:76).
In another personal reflection, Rabbi Kook finds merit in everything, in all of humanity: “I love all of creation! Under no circumstances will I change this internal trait of mine. And I find meritorious aspects and positive sides in everything — truly in everything” (Hadarav, p. 163).
In the following text, he speaks of the need to break through all divisions: religion, faith, race and climate. “The most elevated level of love for creation … must extend toward all of humanity, despite all of their divergent thoughts expressed through religion and faith, and despite distinctions in race and climate. It is essential to understand the mentalities of different nations and groupings, as much as one can, to study their personalities and characteristics, in order to know how to base one’s love for humanity on foundations that will readily translate themselves into action.”
He then proceeds to heavily critique the “narrow-mindedness” of those who view everything beyond their inner circle as lacking and “impure”: “And the narrow-mindedness that causes one to view everything outside … of the Jewish people as completely repugnant and impure, is one of the great sources of darkness that undermines every effort to reach the state of spiritual development whose dawn is awaited by every sensitive spirit” (Shemonah Kevatzim 1:593).
We must open ourselves to connecting with those around us and translate our inner love for them into action.
In this final source, which I often find myself returning to in my classes, Rabbi Kook describes four “songs,” or circles of influence: the individual, the nation, humanity and all of creation (and the spiritual worlds). In his discussion on the “song of humanity,” he praises the broad soul of the universalist, who yearns for humanity’s enlightenment and supernal perfection.
“There is a person who sings the song of their individual soul. They find everything, their complete spiritual satisfaction, within their [own] soul. There is a person who sings the song of the nation. They step forward from the circle of their private soul, which they don’t find expansive enough. … They yearn for the heights. They cling with a sensitive love to the entirety of the Jewish nation and sing its song. … And there is a person whose soul is so broad that it expands beyond the border of Israel. It sings the song of humanity. This soul constantly grows broader with the exalted totality of humanity and its glorious image. They yearn for humanity’s general enlightenment. They look forward to its supernal perfection.
“… And there is a person who rises even higher until they unite with all of existence, with all creatures, and with all worlds. And with all of them, they sing. … And there is a person who rises with all these songs together in one ensemble…” (ibid., 7:112)
There are many songs which we sing in our religious lives. Many times we settle for our own soul’s song, or on a higher level we sing the nation’s song. Rabbi Kook urges us to think more broadly. We must extend our love and attention to humanity, and sing their song as well! We must emulate the ways of HaShem who is “good to all” and “whose mercies extend to all creatures.” (Psalms 145:9; see Shemonah Ketvatzim 8:61).
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