Congratulations to Rabbi Shlomo Vilk, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Beren Machanaim, on the publication of his book, “Na’aseh Adam – ‘Let us Make Man’: Life According to Rav Kook’s ‘Lights of Repentance'” (Hebrew). The book has been published by Yediot Aharonot Books, just in time for the month of Elul and the festivals of Tishrei.
“The ‘Lights of Repentance’ by Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook was an attempt to re-envision the world of Teshuva in an age when humanity replaced God. In his new book ‘Na’ase Adam’, Rabbi Shlomo Vilk uses the map that Rav Kook drew for navigation, extracting from it a well-organized doctrine for our generation.”
– Haaretz Newspaper Book Supplement
“The subtitle of the book is not ‘Commentary on the Lights of Repentance,’ but ‘Life According to the Lights of Repentance,” notes Rabbi Avraham Stav in his book review. “Because repentance, according to Rabbi Kook and thus according to Rabbi Vilk, is not a religious commandment that is performed mainly in the month of Elul, but throughout life. A way that experiences the tension between the desired and the present as one of the foundations of existence, and is able to come up with sharp demands against the present, together with compassion and tenderness stemming from the great hopes that lie in the future.”
Rabbi Vilk studied at Yeshivat Karnei Shomron and the Harry Fischel Institute for Rabbinics and Dayanut in Jerusalem. He received rabbinical ordination from The Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and a BA and MA in Jewish Philosophy from Hebrew University. Rabbi Vilk’s unique interdisciplinary approach to Torah offers students a broad and fascinating look at the interface between the humanities, science and Torah.