Rav Kook Speaks On...
Tolerance
Tolerance
When tolerance of points of view comes from a heart that is pure and cleansed of all evil, that tolerance is not liable to chill the flame of holy feelings containing simple faith--which is the source of all life. Instead, that tolerance broadens and magnifies the foundation of heaven-directed fervor.
Tolerance is armed with a very great faith. Ultimately, it realizes the complete impossibility of a soul being emptied of all holy life. This is because the life of the living God fills all life. And so, even where actions come out in a destructive fashion, where points of view collide into heresy, there still must be--in the midst of the heart, in the depth of the soul--the living light of hidden holiness. And this is apparent in the good aspects that we find in many corners, even on those ravaged avenues touched by heresy and corroded by doubts.
From the midst of this great, holy knowledge and faith comes tolerance, which encircles everything with a thread of kindness.
"I will gather up all of you, Yaacov" (Michah 2).
Midot Harayah, p. 84
