J.B. Soloveitchik,. YU Press, 2006
This is a translation of one of the most famous addresses given by the late Rav Soloveitchik. It was originally delivered in Yiddish in the 50s to mark the 8th anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel, and later extensively elaborated upon and published in Hebrew in 1961. The name of the essay (taken from Shir HaShirim) indicates that God is ‘knocking’ – calling us to action and that we must not miss a key opportunity. The essay addresses the significance of the State of Israel (from a post-Holocaust perspective) and the obligation that its creation imposes on the modern Jew. A short book (just over 100 pages, with footnotes), it covers some of the most important ‘covenantal’ issues, including the covenants of Sinai, what the author calls ‘the covenant of destiny’ and the loneliness of the Jewish people in history. A classic of modern Jewish inspiration, it is well-worth reading, especially in this accessible and attractive new edition.
