| Almost one hundred years ago, a great man prophesied by Shalom Pollock Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook found himself at the center of continuing controversy as chief rabbi of Eretz Yisroel. He was an original thinker and revolutionary in his synthesis of the values of the land of Israel, the people of Israel and the Torah of Israel. In his tumultuous time, the Jewish world was divided into numerous and distinct camps. Some identified with the Torah and a lifestyle that was emblematic of isolated community life in the Diaspora. Life outside their local community was not contemplated. The Jewish people as a Nation or a people with land was at best a faded memory. Ensuring their unchanged lifestyle wherever they happened to live at the time, protecting personal and community survival against the threats of a menacing world was their sacred world. As the modern era and "emancipation" began from the eighteenth century, there was an awakening amongst some to the idea of a Jewish Nation and Jewish land. Some Jews embarked on a "Reforming" of the faith Some Jews saw purpose and salvation in world movements such as Socialism and Communism. Others clung to a new and grudging acceptance in their countries and became zealous nationalists of various countries. Some developed a new Jewish identity that stressed "Jewish secular culture" that revolved around the Yiddish language and literature. . Some stressed the humanitarian and cosmopolitan mission of Judaism. Still, others sought the most direct way out of it all - through the church. With all the lurching twists and turns in this modern era, Jewish history found itself at a crossroads. Two movements emerged from the turmoil as the time claimants of what might claim authentically Jewish. They vied for leadership of the next phase of Jewish history. The "Agudah" movement and allies in the "old world" fiercely championed the status quo. What was, must be. Ideas of a sovereign Jewish Nation, Land, or people were simply seen as a threat to all that was good and holy. Then there were the Zionists who rebelled against all that was, and sought a "new Jew"; sovereign and proud in its own country, working and defending the land., speaking its own language. In rejecting the status quo of a demeaning Diaspora, they also cut their ties to the one thing that ensured Jewish existence during that long dark period. They rejected the very thing that brought them to where they were as Jews A Jewish nation and land, yes but without Torah! No longer will the Jewish people be a nation that dwells alone but a "normal' one, accepted by the family of peoples. With out Torah the nations will finally favor us. This was their proclamation, and they were confident that the Jewish future was theirs. The two camps glared at each other from distant corners. Unlike most of the rabbinic world, Rabbi Kook had a great appreciation for the young idealistic pioneers and dreamers. He shared a part of that same dream. He dedicated himself to working with them while trying to teach them why the Torah must be a part of their vision. Rabbi Kook drew vicious criticism from the rabbinic establishment. How could a rabbi associate with sinners and scoffers? Rabbi Kook responded to them in a famous letter in which he asked them, "who tries to teach them if not me"? In the same letter, he then turned to his pioneer friends and made a dire prediction. He warned them that if they continue to be divorced from the Torah, their children will reject the very land of Israel for which they dedicate themselves. This prophetic warning came to mind when I listened to a radio talk show this morning The host is a well-known Leftist. The caller was from Berlin. She left Israel because she objected to the "politics, racism, culture, and corruption in Israel." "There needs to be a civil war in Israel to defeat the forces of darkness!" Her grandchildren are native German speakers and she enjoys her career and the culture of Germany. The proud caller from Berlin is a Sabra, Israel born.. Her father was a pioneer and fighter for the land. Her family is the equivalent of the "Daughters of the Revolution " in Boston; blue blood. The host was appalled that she abandoned Israel - and for Germany! He asked her if it does not bother her that her grandchildren are raised in the language used to order our people into the gas chambers? What happened to you, he yelled at her! "You and I agree on most political issues in Israel but not this! How can you?" He said," I am jealous of the "National Religious" youth (the students of Rabbi Kook's legacy). I do not agree with their politics or religious beliefs, but no matter what their difficulties or grievances you will not find them living in Berlin. If you and so many like you would remain in Israel, we, the Left could run the country once again. Instead, you take the easy way out and flippantly abandon a dream. He could not have described Rabbi Kook's warning any better. Shalom Pollack is a tour guide, filmmaker and writer in Jerusalem His is writing a book," Despite ourselves, I was there" Shalopolack613@gmail.com
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