Torah from Israel's first chief rabbi, the iconic Torah luminary, poet, leader, founder of Religious Zionism and of Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva. His yahrzeit is 3 Elul.

HaRav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook zts"l First Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, revered and famed Torah sage, philosopher, writer, poet, iconic and beloved leader of religious Zionism and the return to Zion (1865-1935). More from the author ► First Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, revered and famed Torah sage, philosopher, writer, poet, iconic and beloved leader of religious Zionism and the return to Zion (1865-1935).

It is deeply disturbing when we see evil people succeed and prosper. “I envied the arrogant,” the psalmist admits, “when I saw the tranquility of the wicked.” Despite their deplorable lifestyle, they appear to live without worries.

They live their lives like reckless drivers, endangering others as they weave in and out of traffic at high speed, their car decals boasting, “No Fear!”

“כִּי אֵין חַרְצֻבּוֹת לְמוֹתָם, וּבָרִיא אוּלָם.”

“There are no pangs (chartzubot) about their death; and their health (ulam) is sound.” (Psalms 73:4)

The meaning of the word chartzubot is not clear. The Talmud explains that char-tzuv is a composite word, combining the words chareid (to tremble) and atzuv (to grieve).

“Not only do the wicked fail to tremble and grieve about the day of death, but their hearts are as steady as an edifice (ulam).” (Shabbat 31b)

Rav Kook noted that the Sages enumerated the two factors that will usually lead people - unless they are incorrigibly evil - to a higher awareness of their spiritual and moral side. The two factors are: (1) contemplation of death, and (2) the soul’s innate moral compass and sensitivity.

Reflecting on Death

Those mired in materialistic values are unaware of the enormous loss when their soul disconnects from its true nature and fails to acquire the traits of holiness it was meant to attain.

Death frees the soul from the body’s fetters and physical cravings. After death, the soul can strive to return to its pristine state; and it is painfully aware of its distance from its Source.

When we contemplate death, we are forced to confront the mortality of our bodies and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures. Those who have lost their way should “tremble and grieve.” They feel the pain of chartzubot.

While they may not fully recognize what they lack, having become alienated from a life of spiritual growth and holiness, they will nonetheless realize that these are life’s most important acquisitions. They will regret failing to work toward life’s most significant accomplishments and greatest satisfactions: perfecting the soul and strengthening its inner light.

The psalmist, however, is troubled by the phenomenon of people so enmeshed in evil that they fail to consider the ramifications of death. These complacent individuals are not bothered by the transient and superficial character of their lives. “There are no pangs about their death.”

A Feeling Heart

The second wake-up call summons from the inner spirit. On occasion the soul makes its presence felt, and the heart awakens of its own accord. Those who have neglected their spiritual nature and forsaken the path of integrity will feel the biting sting of these pangs of conscience.

Yet some people are so thoroughly immersed in evil that they are immune to these stirrings of emotion. It is as if their hearts are covered with a thick layer of fat, preventing them from sensing the needs of others.

Not only do they refuse to consider the implications of death, but “their hearts are as steady as an edifice.” Their hearts are numb and unfeeling, like concrete slabs of an inert building, oblivious to the harm they cause. With a blind arrogance, they live their self-centered lives without a thought as to the implications of their actions.

To protect us from this ailment of spiritual obtuseness, God provided us with a remedy: the Torah. The Torah and its mitzvot elevate all aspects of life, opening the path to be close to God, to be receptive to holy matters, pure thoughts and lofty feelings, to contemplate life and do good. The Torah protects us from wallowing in the mud-pit of materialistic cravings and self-absorption.

“God wanted to purify Israel, so He gave them Torah and commandments in abundance, as it says: ‘God seeks [Israel’s] righteousness, so He made the Torah great and glorious'” (Isaiah 42:21). (Makkot 23b)

(Adapted from Ein Eyah vol. III, 177-178, sent to Arutz Sheva by Rabbi Chanan Morrison, ravkooktorah.org)



