EPISODE · Feb 12, 2026 · 26 MIN
Theodor Herzl Didn’t Stay Secular | 10@9 | 2026.02.12
from Mining The Riches Of The Parsha · host Rabbi Michael Whitman
Most people think Herzl’s story ends with politics—but if you read his last work carefully, it ends with something much more spiritual. This morning we examine a little-known but crucial fact of Theodor Herzl's spiritual growth from his essay, "The Jewish State, published on February 14, 1896, to his novel "Altneuland," published in 1902, especially its closing scene and the last word. According to Professor Csaba Nikolenyi, who gave me permission to share his recent presentation at ADATH, this is reflected in the non-eulogy eulogy given by Rav Avraham Kook when Herzl died in 1904. (For a fuller understanding please see my recording yesterday here: https://youtu.be/Gg6SYFD8pXU?si=ppXwWBy0A5kgV9ae.) This gives a new layer of meaning to Religious Zionism today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.
What this episode covers
Most people think Herzl’s story ends with politics—but if you read his last work carefully, it ends with something much more spiritual. This morning we examine a little-known but crucial fact of Theodor Herzl's spiritual growth from his essay, "The Jewish State, published on February 14, 1896, to his novel "Altneuland," published in 1902, especially its closing scene and the last word. According to Professor Csaba Nikolenyi, who gave me permission to share his recent presentation at ADATH, this is reflected in the non-eulogy eulogy given by Rav Avraham Kook when Herzl died in 1904. (For a fuller understanding please see my recording yesterday here: https://youtu.be/Gg6SYFD8pXU?si=ppXwWBy0A5kgV9ae.) This gives a new layer of meaning to Religious Zionism today. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.
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Theodor Herzl Didn’t Stay Secular | 10@9 | 2026.02.12
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