I believe I read Rav Kook’s book ‘The Lights of Penitence’ (although not this translation) a long time ago, but I clearly need to read it again. A Facebook friend shared these excerpts and they spoke to me so strongly- this is my entire orientation to Judaism. Looking for light, and finding it in God and in people.
I think the excerpt I appreciate most right now is:
Much effort is needed to broaden the love of people to the proper level, at which it must pervade life to its fullest depth. This must be done in opposition to the superficial view, which suggests itself initially on the basis of inadequate study of the Torah and of conventional morality, and where it would seem as though there is a contradiction to such love, or, at least, indifference to it. The highest level of love for people is love due to the individual person; it must embrace every single individual, regardless of differences of race or climate. It is essential to understand the mentalities of different nations and groupings, to study their characteristics and life-styles in order to know how to base our human love on foundations that will readily translate themselves into action. It is only a person rich in love for people and a love for each individual person who can reach the love of his own nation in its noblest dimension, spiritually and practically. The narrow-mindedness that leads one to view whatever is outside a particular nation, even what is outside the Jewish people, as ugly and defiling is a phase of the frightful darkness that undermines altogether every effort to reach that state of spiritual development whose dawn is awaited by every sensitive spirit.
This line also speaks to me-
It is necessary to recognize the light of good in the best of the people, for it is through them that the light of God is diffused in the world, whether they recognize the significance of this mission or whether they do not recognize it.
I think so many people are filled with light, which is why the tagline of my original blog is ‘Looking for God in humanity.’ Rav Kook putting this idea into words is just the icing on the cake.