Description
Coming February-March 2023 “The Souls of the World of Chaos” is a most famous essay of Rav Kook, a modern mystic. First published in 1913, it continues to intrigue and inspire spiritual seekers in our day. Not content with inspirational reading, Bezalel Naor has undertaken the formidable task of unpacking the Kabbalistic structures that inform the essay. Cognoscenti will appreciate the copious endnotes. In the Introduction, we are provided with the historical backdrop to the essay and insight into the Kulturkampf that rocks Israeli society to this day.
Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook (1865-1935) was the first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Erets Israel. A brilliant polymath, he excelled in areas as diverse as law and poetry, philosophy and mysticism. As time goes on, many of the futuristic predictions of Rav Kook become reality. Bezalel Naor is acknowledged as an authoritative interpreter of Rav Kook’s thought. He has translated several of his writings into English, including: When God Becomes History: Historical Essays of Rabbi Kook (Kodesh); The Legends of Rabbah bar Bar Hannah with commentary of Rabbi Kook (Kodesh); Orot (Maggid); and The Koren Rav Kook Siddur. Product Details 5 inches wide 8 inches high 224 pages
Steven Rohde Gotlib –
“These fiery souls show their strength, that no fence or limit can restrain them, and the weak in the world that has been built, masters of manners and measures, are terrified by them… But in truth, there is nothing to fear; only sinners, weak souls, and flatterers fear and tremble. But the “mighty in strength” know that this show of strength is one of the visions that comes for the need of perfecting the world, for the need of fortifying the powers of the nation, man and the world.”
“The Souls of the World of Chaos” is Bezalel Naor’s latest translation of Rav Kook’s writing, recently published by Kodesh Press. It’s a very brief, but profoundly powerful essay that touches on the heart of Rav Kook’s mystical vision. Naor notes that it was specifically targeting “a young generation who, in their wild idealism and relentless search for unbridled freedom, had thrown off what they perceived as the shackles of religion.” Rav Kook hoped that it could show empathy and gently nudge them back onto the path of Torah. Indeed, Naor notes that Yosef Hayyim Brenner read it and “sensed that there was an old school rabbi who shared in common with the rebels a certain restlessness of spirit; who, in his own way, was searching for authenticity and was intolerant of sham.” What better essay could there be, then, for a time of such religious divisiveness?
Unfortunately, Rav Kook’s language is as elusive as ever. Fortunately, Rabbi Naor provides not only an elegant translation, but also several appendices digging into the essay’s mystical underpinnings and placing the essay in conversation with other figures. The volume also includes two bonus chapters – book reviews written by Naor on works relevant to Rav Kook’s thought.
If you’re interested in Rav Kook, Jewish Mysticism, or generally thinking about ways of connecting with the “rebellious children” in your life in anticipation of the Passover Seder, I highly recommend this volume: https://kodeshpress.com/product/the-souls-of-the-world-of-chaos/