Gold from the Land of Israel: A New Light on the Weekly Torah Portion from the Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook (Hardcover)

~ Chanan Morrison (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Gold from the Land of Israel is an outstanding and urgently needed contribution to the otherwise restricted world of the study of Rav Kook's complex writings.

For the first time, Rabbi Chanan Morrison presents Rav Kook's parsha thoughts in simple, easy-to-read chapters that are sure to provide inspiring new perspectives on the weekly reading. --Rabbi Ari Enkin

Rabbi Morrison has done a remarkable job in presenting the teachings of Rav Kook a giant of twentieth century Jewish thought in a clear and approachable fashion. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a good introduction to the inspiring wisdom of this preeminent scholar. --Rabbi David Samson

Rabbi Morrison's book is a treasure. For those who cannot fully appreciate Rav Kook's writings in Hebrew, this volume makes his genius accessible. From a discussion of the importance of the white space in the Torah scroll to the importance of wearing tzitzits, the rav's eloquence, Torah knowledge, and love for all Jews combines for a" confluence of physical and metaphysical light. This book is highly recommended for its philosophical discussions as well as its practical insights into the Torah readings. --Kathe Pinchuck, AJL Newsletter

Product Description

Rav Kook's writings, due to their poetic and mystical nature, are difficult even for those fluent in Hebrew and rabbinical texts. Gold from the Land of Israel uses a clear, succinct style to grant the reader a window into his original and creative insights. This book elucidates his thoughts on many fascinating topics, including: Can we reconcile the Torah's account of creation with modern science? What is the Torah's view on vegetarianism? What is the purpose of death? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do we have dreams? Will the Third Temple have animal sacrifices? Who is God? How can one attain joy in serving God? How should we balance our time between Torah study and work?

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 367 pages
• Publisher: Urim Publications (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9657108926
• ISBN-13: 978-9657108925
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,087,651 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rav Chanan Morrison explains Rav Kook's Torah like no one else, July 6, 2007

By	Joel Zipkin "Yoely Zipkin" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Rav Chanan Morrison has been writing Divrei Torah on the weekly Torah Portion inspired by Rav Kook's many Seforim (Religious Books) for years. You can sign up for his weekly newsletter on his website (RavKook-DOT-n3-DOT-net).
Every week he brings down a couple brilliant insights from Rav Kook's Torah, always sourcing it back to the original texts in case the reader would like to venture deeper into the topic. He has a clear, yet colorful style of prose that is infused with the spirituality that a true Talmid (close rabbinical student) of Mercaz Harav (Rav Kook's Learning Institution in Jerusalem, Israel) would have.
He is an American Oleh (emigrant to Israel) that studied and taught in American schools. Anyone who reads this book on a weekly basis will come to a much clearer and truly heartfelt understanding of Rav Kook's philosophy and teachings from the turn of the 20th century.
The book is very intellectual without minimizing the spiritual messages that Rav Kook delivers as many other books on the Philosophies of Rav Kook have, such as "Abraham Isaac Kook:..." by Ben Zion Bokser. The power of Rav Chanan Morrison's writings is that he is not studying Rav Kook as an "Intellectual Endeavor" merely to expand his "philosophical horizons" and objectively compare different modes of spiritual thought. Instead, Rav Morrison studies Rav Kook in order to integrate his teachings into his own life and hashkafa (worldly perspective) as proven by his own biography.

Purchase this book if you truly want to understand Rav Kook and bring the fulfillment of his teachings into your heart.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm delighted this book is finally available, February 1, 2008

By	Rabbi JYH (USA) - See all my reviews

As a reader of the weekly email list, I jumped at the opportunity to get these weekly pearls bound in one volume. This is Rav Kook in an easily accessible format, great for a weekly Parsha reference or for straight reading.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Window in to the Mind of a Master, August 7, 2009

By	Bernard S. Antin "SEFER SEEKER" (MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This work does not fail to deliver on offering insight in to the world view of Rav Kook ZT'L through the medium of the weekly Torah portion.