Stories from the Land of Israel

"Stories from the Land of Israel" is a collection of inspiring events in the lives of two saintly and beloved scholars - Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook and his son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook. The biographical stories in this volume are set against the backdrop of the historic upheavals and triumphs of the Jewish people in the past century, as they returned to and settled the land of Israel, established an independent state, and defended it against warring neighbors. This book opens a window into their remarkable qualities of spirit, their overflowing love for the land and people of Israel, and their rare ability to bridge the religious-secular divide. These inspirational accounts reveal a spiritual dimension in the recent history of Israel and the Jewish people.

A scholarly biography might painstakingly research the dialectics of Rav Kook's philosophic approach, the ideological components of his Halakhic methodology, his public image, and his communal accomplishments - and yet fail to convey the core essence of his spirit and being, his authentic love of life, the universe, and its myriad beings. It is in the power of a story, however simple and unsophisticated, to communicate these qualities.

"I loved it I couldn't stop reading..." --Rabbi Shmuel Jablon

"Stories from the Land of Israel relates Rav Kook's life through an eloquent retelling of stories that emphasize Rav Kook's boundless love for his people and his land, and the profound impact of this love on the people he met. This account reveals vital dimensions of Rav Kook's personality, and shows how the force of his personality, just as much as the power and profundity of his writings, account for his enduring influence." --Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair