An introduction to the world of Rav Kook

Writes Rav Kook, "Merchavim merchavim." Merchav means expanse.

Merchavim merchavim, expanses, expanses.

The, it could be, I'm not sure if it's meant to be read, Merkaveh Kel or Merkaveh El.

My soul is stretching to the expanses.

Al tizgeruni beshum kluv.

Do not close me in.

Do not define me.

A kluv in modern Hebrew is a birdcage.

Do not cage me in, in any cage.

Lo gashmi, not physical, v'lo ruchani, and not spiritual.

Shatahi nishmasi b'rachavei shamayim.

My soul soars at the reaches of the heavens.

Lo yechi luach ki ro sleeve.

It cannot be contained by the walls of my heart.

V'lo ki ro sleeve maisa, and not the walls of action.

Musar, ethics.

Higayon, logic.

Ve nimus, and, uh, like, uh, derech eretz, manners, etiquette.

Mimal lekol ele shatahi va'afa.

Above all of these, all of these, my soul, it soars and it flies.

Mimal lekol asher yikra bakol shem.

Beyond anything that can ever be given a name, a specific identity with words.

Mimarom mikol oneg.

Even more elevated than any enjoyment.

Mikol noam v'yofi.