September 9, 2003

OU Makes Available The Rav And Religious Zionism, Six-Cassette Tape Set With Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet Interpreting Rabbi Soloveitchik’s Evolving Thought

The Orthodox Union has produced and now made available The Rav and Religious Zionism, a six-cassette series based on the lectures and writings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l, as interpreted by Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet.

Rabbi Rakeffet, a Rosh Yeshiva at the Yeshiva University-affiliated Gruss Institute (Kollel) in Jerusalem, is a former student of the Rav and one of the foremost commentators on his work. Rabbi Rakeffet’s lectures were given and taped in Jerusalem.

The series was produced with the support of the Young Israel of Woodmere (NY), in commemoration of the tenth Yahrzeit of the Rav.

“In this time of focus on competing rights to the Land of Israel, it is good for us to reaffirm the religious basis of our own claim to it through the evolving and penetrating thoughts of the Rav as recounted by one of his leading protégés, himself a noted and popular lecturer,” explained OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb.

“The Rav placed Religious Zionism on the hashkafic (religious philosophy) radar screen of our community and now, at a time when our relationship with Eretz Yisrael has become blurred by current events, it is important to reemphasize these intrinsic truths,” he said.

“This is a meticulously researched, loving portrait of all of the stages of the Rav’s philosophy regarding Zionism and the facts and factors that developed this world view,” added Rabbi Weinreb. “Rabbi Rakeffet’s wisdom and passion for the teachings of the Rav produce a valuable work of interpretation and commentary”.

The tapes are available for $36 for the set from the OU Department of Community and Synagogue Services; in the United States, there will be no shipping charge. Checks should be made out to OU/NCSY Publications, and sent to the attention of to Elisheva Wallace at Orthodox Union, 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004. Send credit card information to wallacee@ou.org or call her at 212-613-8226. Contact her as well for information on shipping charges outside of the United States or for bulk purchases.

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 275,000 products manufactured in 68 countries around the globe.

The Rav and Religious Zionism

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