RAV KOOK ON Israel Independence Day Part 1: Redeeming the Land

At a 1930 building dedication for the Jewish National Fund, the organization established to redeem land in Eretz Yisrael, Rav Kook spoke about the rights of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. Righteous and Faithful The prophet Isaiah proudly called out, “Open, O gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faithfulness may enter” (26:2). Isaiah mentioned two qualities of the Jewish people: They “keep faithfulness” — i.e., they are loyal to their special covenant with God. They are a “righteous nation” — they act in a fair and just manner. This attitude of fairness is expressed not only toward individuals. Also on the national level, in our relations with other peoples, we aspire to equitable dealings. Thus, even as we take the necessary steps toward reclaiming our land, we do so in a just and magnanimous fashion. As we return to the land of Israel, we eschew taking it by force, preferring to use peaceful methods, paying for property in full. We do this even though our rights to Eretz Yisrael were never abrogated.