RAV KOOK ON Chukat Part 2: Speak to the Rock

What is the meaning of God’s instruction to Moses to speak to the rock? Can rocks hear us? The short answer is — yes! Nature and all of its laws are listening. They listen for the call of redemption. They yearn for the redemptive light that preceded the creation of the universe. When this unifying light is revealed, the world’s divided factions become linked and bound to their underlying foundation.1 As Moses approached to speak to the rock, all of creation was listening. Tragically, instead of speaking, Moses hit the rock. The waters, meant to revive and nourish the people, instead became Mei Merivah — ‘Waters of Dispute,’ bringing conflict and discor into the world. With his impatience and anger, Moses introduced a framework of coercion and force into the world, thus debasing the universe. The world was no longer ready to listen in attentive quietude to the inner voice of the Infinite. The paradigm shifted from speaking to striking, from receptive listening to coercive force.