Rabbi
Kook notes that our Sages taught that we have the power to actually change
nature. The Talmud [Ketubot 112b] states:
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Rabbi
Ḥiyya, son of Ashi says, quoting Rav: all the non fruit bearing trees within
the Land of Israel are destined to produce fruit
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Rabbi
Kook elucidates the Talmudic comment thus: the ideal situation is for man to
reach a harmonious fusion between matter and spirit. The spiritual dimension is
provided by Torah and mitzvot. As humans progress spiritually, they
necessarily influence the natural world. Thus, Rav says that when we reach the
highest spiritual level the influence will be felt even on non fruit bearing
trees.
In
truth, the content of the Talmudic comment was already conveyed in Isaiah’s
prophecy of the end of days:
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The wolf shall dwell with the lamb
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid and
the calf and the young lion and the fatling together and a little child shall
lead them. [11:6]
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In
the end of days, when mankind achieves harmony, this will be reflected in the
rest of creation, and there will no longer be beasts of prey.
Finally,
Rabbi Kook explains why the Talmud specifies “the non fruit bearing trees within
the Land of Israel.” Since, as stated, the spiritual aspect is endowed through
Torah and mitzvot, the natural venue is the Land of Israel, which is the
place from which Torah comes forth [Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2].
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