At the End of the Holy Sabbath

by Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook

Who can properly evaluate the great worth of the holy nation at the end of the holy Sabbath? Who can properly praise the radiance of the exalted holiness of the Jewish soul, which was already elevated in the radiance of its beauty by the holiness of the holy day, the most beloved of all days?

Who will gather the strength to sing about, describe and envisage the precious glory of the wondrous people, who rise to the heights of the world, who wear the sun as a necklace in its place, who fly to the heavens, who rise with the holiness of their desire to the heights of the canopy of the highest heavens, upon [each of] whom during the entire day of the Sabbath the light of Hashem shone, appeared and glowed at his meals, in his prayers, in his feelings, in his delights, in his tranquility and glory?

And who will speak even more of the great worth of the holy people and the righteous, those who know how to praise the Sabbath and to give it the honor that it deserves in accord with its elevated holiness, who they distribute riches to all their nation, the riches of heaven, the wealth of the blessings of holiness of elevated feelings and mighty desires? How precious they are to me!

“And as for me, how precious are Your companions, God, how mighty are their leaders.”

You are pleasant to me, Torah sages amongst Israel, sages of the Torah, men of rare quality.

You are pleasant to me, righteous men, straight in heart, faithful in spirit, faithful ones of a chosen nation.

You are precious to me, all of you, all of your masses, it is all holy.

In the inner being of their soul a holy fire burns.

I see your honor, I am crowned and beautified with the loveliness of the radiance of your spirit—beloved of [my] heart, children of holiness, you shall be a blessing in the land, in the beloved land shall you be blessed, upon the holy land shall you spread out [like] branches.

All of the nations will praise you, kings will fear your glory, and you shall be called the cohanim of Hashem, the servants of our God.

Every pure thought of yours will come forth, every clear idea shall be elevated and rectified through you, every soul will delight with you in your strength, everyone will become beautified through you, will grow greater because of you.

Chadarav, p. 185