Despite Rav Kook (1865–1935) being one of the most influential thinkers in Jewish history, his revolutionary writings are mostly unknown to the general public. This book contains many new and accessible translations, as well as an in-depth spiritual biography. Each chapter is introduced and broken up into a variety of topics, including the individual, Torah, God, teshuvah, prayer, creativity, Zionism, science, and vegetarianism. This book features an entirely new, original, accessible translation of a diverse selection of Rav Kook’s writings. This work offers a surprisingly modern model of religion from the perspective of a spiritual leader who was ahead of his time.
Rabbi Ari Ze'ev Schwartz is the cofounder and dean of the Society of Independent Spirituality, a learning center in Jerusalem that combines Jewish spirituality and Zionism. In addition, he teaches at several yeshivot and midrashot in Jerusalem. Rabbi Schwartz lives with his wife and two daughters in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem.
“This book will be a great blessing to any serious student [of Rav Kook] who speaks English.”
-Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Rosh Yeshiva, Ateret Yerushalayim; Rabbi of Beit El
“The Spiritual Revolution of Rav Kook has taught me so many ideas that have changed the way I think about the Jewish people. Whoever reads this book will find it life-changing.”
-Rabbi Sam Kassin, Dean and Founder, Shehebar Sephardic Center, Jerusalem
“Rabbi Schwartz…invites the student to expand and go deeper and deeper into the all-encompassing philosophy of one of the giants of recent generations.”
-Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Brandes, President, Herzog Academic College
