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| R. Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook 1865-1935. |
Introduction
This article – based extensively on the research by Professor Isaac Hershkowitz[1] − statistically compares the early writings of Rav Kook to his later writings. R. Avraham Yitzchak Kook (1865-1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine and one of the founders of religious Zionism. Rav Kook created an enormous corpus of literature and new material continues to emerge. It is difficult, therefore, to describe Rav Kook unless all of his writings are taken into consideration. He is variously depicted by scholars in attempts to ascertain his “overarching system” of thought, but according to Hershkowitz, it seems his approach may have undergone an evolutionary process instead of remaining a homogenous system of thought. This position can be supported by a groundbreaking study of statistical data that Hershkowitz has conducted indicating “the development and evolution of Kook’s position over the course of his life” (Hershkowitz 2023:2, footnote 3).
