Rural roots of religious Zionism's philosophy explored in Latvia, Lithuania

The legacy of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, a foundational figure in religious Zionism and Israel's first chief rabbi, is explored through a journey tracing his rural roots in Latvia and Lithuania.

Rabbi Kook, whose yahrzeit is observed on August 16, is remembered not just for his profound writings like "Orot" and "Igrot HaRe’iyah," but also for his deep connection to the landscapes of his youth. The article suggests that to truly understand his philosophy, one must experience the "silver birch forests," "quiet rivers," and "forgotten Jewish cemeteries" that influenced his soul.

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To understand Rabbi Kook, opening his books Orot or Igrot HaRe’iyah is not enough. We must walk where he walked, breathe the same northern air, and stand before the remnants of the communities that shaped his soul.

Born nearly 160 years ago in Griva, Latvia, Abraham Isaac Kook, affectionately known as "Yatzki," displayed early signs of his future path. A childhood game of pretending to journey to "Eretz Israel" in the courtyard of the Kaddish Synagogue, where he delivered sermons at nine and wrote commentaries at 11, now seems prophetic. Commemorative plaques mark the restored synagogue, offering visitors a tangible link to his early life.

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Where are we going?

His intellectual journey continued at the Panevežys Yeshiva, where he studied under Rabbi Israel Meir Hacohen, the Chafetz Chaim. This period immersed him in complex Talmudic studies, preparing him for a future where Jewish scholarship would be crucial, even in anticipation of the rebuilding of the Temple.

Today, Israeli religious tour operators facilitate heritage journeys, inviting Jewish travelers to follow Rabbi Kook's footsteps. These tours offer more than a biographical exploration; they provide an immersive experience into the landscapes and communities that nurtured the revolutionary ideas of a towering rabbinic figure.

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To Eretz Israel!