www.ravkook.net/land-of-Israel.html -
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Last Visited: 1/16/2009
When Rabbi Kook appeared before a commission set up to deal with the matter, he turned to the head of the commission and said in a trembling voice:
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My nephew, Rabbi Shlomo Kook, tells:
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My cousin, Rabbi Simcha Kook (rabbi of Rechovot), told me that Rav Kook explained this to him:
What was so special about those stones, and why did Rabbi Abba kiss them?
If Rabbi Abba had kissed the earth, we might have thought that he is doing so because the earth brings forth fruits, and that the land of Israel is important and holy only because of the commandments pertaining to it (such as tithing).
But Rabbi Abba's love for the land of Israel was a pure love, and the holiness of the land is intrinsic.
Therefore he kissed even the stones.