New Project Spreads Rabbi Kook's Teachings Inspired by Fallen Soldier

The 'Hit'orirut' (Awakening) organization has launched a new project to make the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook's "Orot HaTeshuvah" (Lights of Repentance) accessible to the general Israeli public. The initiative is dedicated to the memory of Captain Daniel Maimon Touaf, who fell in battle in the Gaza Strip on September 8, 2024, along with three of his soldiers. The project features three-minute video segments that present a passage from the book, followed by a simple explanation connected to daily life, aiming to introduce Rabbi Kook's philosophy to those unfamiliar with it.

The project was inspired by the spiritual connection fostered among soldiers of the Shaked Battalion, even amidst the complex fighting in Gaza. Between operational missions and preparations for combat, these soldiers engaged in joint study of "Orot HaTeshuvah." Captain Maimon Touaf, who served as deputy company commander, was among these soldiers.

The 19th video in the series features Rabbi Eyal Ward, rabbi of the 'Yachdav' community and a lecturer at the 'Meir' Institute. Rabbi Ward discusses the necessity of repentance stemming from joy and light. He explains that in recent generations, repentance is characterized by light, correction, and love, and that the evil inclination can disguise itself as sorrowful thoughts about repentance to bring people down. "True repentance brings a person to joy and strength. He fills himself with light. In our generation, repentance is a return to optimism and joy, to the belief that it is possible to fix things," Rabbi Ward stated.