12 Inspiring Quotes from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Israel’s First Chief Rabbi

Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook zt״l, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, was a towering halachic authority, a mystic, a poet, and a thinker known for his nobility of spirit, deep piety, and rare genius. He left behind a vast body of writings on faith, creativity, morality, and the inner life. Many of these manuscripts were organized and published only after his passing.

Below are twelve thought provoking excerpts from Rabbi Kook’s vividly articulated writings, each offering a glimpse into his expansive spiritual vision.

1. Discover the Strength Within You

“Rise up high, for you have great power. You possess wings of spirit, noble eagle’s wings. Do not deny them, lest they deny you. Seek them, and they will find you immediately.”
(Orot HaKodesh I, Chochmat HaKodesh 10; Shmoneh Kivutzim I, 112)

2. Everything Depends on the Light of the Soul

“When the soul shines, even foggy skies produce a pleasant light.”
(Mikdash Yareihem)

3. Sparks That Reveal the Great Truth

“Let each person faithfully express what their soul reveals to them. From these sparks, flames of light will gather and illuminate the entire world, until the great truth is revealed.”
(Orot HaKodesh I, Hegyon HaKodesh; Shmoneh Kivutzim III)

4. You Impact the Entire World

“How simple it is to realize that when a person rises, all creation rises with them, and when they fall, all is diminished. This moral responsibility is filled with truth and hidden poetry.”
(Orot HaKodesh III)

5. Breathing Life into Old Ideas

“Even when it seems nothing new is being created, new life is born. Moving ideas from place to place adds inner light and renewed vitality.”
(Chadarim, p. 5)

6. The Pursuit of Honor Reveals Inner Lack

“The greater the inner perfection that is missing, the more one seeks fulfillment from the outside. The urge for honor grows from spiritual deficiency.”
(Midot HaRa’ayah, Kavod)

7. Everything Begins with Will

“Goodwill is everything. All talents are merely its branches.”
(Orot HaTeshuvah IX)

8. Cherish New Thought

“When a new thought sparkles, receive it with joy and holiness. Recognize it as a vision that has never before appeared in the world.”
(Chadarim, p. 78)

9. Do Not Fight Evil, Increase Good

“The righteous do not complain about darkness. They add light. They do not protest ignorance. They add wisdom.”
(A’rafi Tohar)

10. Believe in the Good Within You

“I must believe deeply in my goodness, in the holy point within me, and in the wisdom Hashem pours upon me through the Torah that is uniquely mine.”
(Chadarim, p. 197)

11. Be Faithful to Your Inner Truth

“A person must not turn their soul into a lie. Do not deceive your inner voice amid the noise of public opinion.”
(Chadarim, p. 203)

12. Find Happiness by Being Yourself

“I must find joy within myself, not through approval or status. The more I live authentically, the more the light of Hashem shines upon me and becomes a blessing to the world.”
(Chadarim, p. 126)

Closing Thoughts

Rabbi Kook’s words continue to resonate because they speak to the deepest layers of the soul. Rooted in Torah yet expansive in vision, his teachings invite each person to uncover their inner light, live with authenticity, and recognize the spiritual power of their own existence.