Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook was the first Ashkenazi chief rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine and is considered one of the fathers of religious Zionism. His philosophy combined a mystical form of Zionism with a strong belief in the coming of the Messiah. Rav Kook believed that the establishment of the state of Israel was a step towards the redemption of the Jewish people.
Born in Griva, Latvia in 1865, Rav Kook was a prodigious student of Jewish texts from a young age. He served as a rabbi in several towns in Latvia and Lithuania before moving to Palestine in 1904, where he became a prominent rabbinical figure. His writings on Jewish law and philosophy are extensive, covering a wide range of topics from Halacha to ethical and mystical teachings.
Rav Kook's thoughts and works have had a lasting impact on Jewish thought and the religious Zionist movement. His teachings continue to inspire many, emphasizing unity, holiness, and a profound love for the land of Israel and the Jewish people.