A teaching from Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook (1865-1935) on two distinct practices alluded to in the liturgical phrase – להודות ולהלל – to give thanks and praise. This teaching is included in Siddur Olat RAYaH, in the section on Hannukah.
להודות ולהלל.
יש כאן שני חלקים, שהם מתיחסים אל
אלו הימים טובים.
ההלל הוא על צד הטוב שישאר לעד
בישראל דוקא על ידי פגישת המכשול
העצום. החוזק הגדול של אמיתת האמונה, כשיוצאת אל הפועל דוקא במה שהדעות הרעות מתפשטות מאד, עד שרבים יבהלו משאתן, וידמו שהן מבלעות את אמונת ישראל.
וכאשר למרות כל אלה קמנו ונתעודד,
ודבר אלהינו יקום לעולם, הרי דגלם של
ישראל וקרנם מתרומם.
Olat Rayah, 1
“To give thanks and praise”
These are two elements which relate to these
days of celebration.
“Praise” relates to the good aspects that will
remain part of Israel forever as a result of the
interaction with great adversity. One aspect
of this good is the tremendous power true
faith acquires when it is realized in opposition to evil ideologies, especially ideologies that become so popular that many fear their flames and imagine them overwhelming the faith of Israel.
When in face of this adversity we rise and are
encouraged, witnessing “the word of our God prevailing forever”, the banner and horn of Israel are exalted.
Here Rav Kook offers a “long view” on challenges and adversity. From this perspective, divine care and guidance are perceived not only in God’s salvation, but also in the challenges themselves, and specifically in the persecution that led to the Hasmonean rebellion.
The first positive perspective that he offers on the challenges is an appreciation of the power gained by a faith which has persevered through oppression and suffering.
וגם מה שאותם הקנינים שהם טובים
לשמש את האור האמיתי של התורה,
שנלקחו מאוצר הפגישה היוונית, מאותם
"דקריבין לארחא דמהימנותא", נצרפו
ונטהרו באש דת של תורת אמת להסיר
מהם כל סיגיהם ובדיליהם. זאת היא טובה
עליונה, שמאת ה' היתה זאת להכין הכל
להיטיב באחרית.
Olat Rayah 2
Another benefit, are the elements we took
from our encounter with Greece, which
facilitate the shining of the true light of Torah.
Those elements which “are close to the path
of faith” were refined and purified in the
flames of the truth of Torah, their
contaminants and impurities all removed.
This is the ultimate good, and all the
difficulties were planned by God to bring
about this good purpose.
Another long-term benefit derived from the Greek prosecution is the intense encounter with Hellenistic culture. This encounter may be experienced as torturous in itself, due to the conflicts between this culture and the perceived culture of Torah. Rav Kook however proposes that this suffering also serves a greater purpose, as the fiery furnace of this cultural clash purifies the best of hellenistic culture and integrates it into Torah.
Further on he explains that this long-view is available not only in retrospect, but even more significantly, as a spiritual response in the midst of suffering and persecution.
וההודאה היא על ההצלה הזמנית, מהחרב שהיה עלול לבא אז על ישראל מידי רשע של היוונים, לולא ה' שהיה לנו.
Olat Rayah 3
“Thanks”, is offered for the temporary escape from the evil persecution of Greeks, the massacre that could have happened at that time had God not been with us.
As opposed to Hallel – praise, giving thanks is presented as an expression of the human
feelings of relief and gratitude towards God. Unlike Hallel, this response (hoda’ah) is accessible only once the suffering has ended and disaster has been averted.
אמנם, היסוד התכליתי של ימי קודש אלו הוא להכיר את הערך הנשגב של הנהגת אדון כל, יתברך. איך שמהמון הדברים המתנשאים להשחית ולבלע כל קודש הכין רטיה למכה, עד שמלאך רע בעל כרחו יענה אמן. וכאשר ארע ליעקב עם שרו של עשו, שלא נפטר ממנו בעצם התאבקותו עמו עד אשר ברך אותו שם.
ומזאת התכונה עצמה נצמחת גם כן
התשועה ההווית, שהיא פרטית לערך
הישועה הכללית הרוחנית הגדולה,
ההולכת ומתפשטת, להפך את החשך
לאור.
Olat Rayah 4
Still, the fundamental purpose of these holy
days is for us to recognize the exalted
guidance of the blessed master of all. To
recognize that God set the means of healing
within everything that rose to destroy and
overwhelm all that is holy. Even the evil angel itself is forced to answer Amen to this divine intention as was the case when Jacob
wrestled with Esav’s angel and would not end
the struggle until he received the angel’s
blessing.
That consciousness is what brings forth the
momentary redemption, which is only one
detail of the great, all-inclusive, spiritual
redemption, which is ever-expanding, turning darkness into light.
The practice of the holiday is meant to transform consciousness so that we are able to respond to adversity from within this long-view set of mind. Rav Kook teaches that this kind of response is, in itself, instrumental in resolving any current crisis.
ועל שתיהן יחד נקבעו הימים
הטובים הללו, בהלל, גם בהודאה.
Olat Rayah 5
These days of celebration were dedicated to both modes – praise and thanks.