The Revival of Imagination and the Emergence of a New Culture: Modern Prophetic Culture

"הרב קוק" - איור של דפנה אנגלנדר

About a hundred years ago, during his lifetime, Rav Kook identified a trend: the rising power of imagination within human culture and consciousness. In this process, simultaneous with the strengthening of imagination, there occurs a weakening of philosophy, thought, and the status of the "intellectuals." Artists are the ones taking center stage in culture.

Rav Kook describes this as a process during which "truth will be absent" (האמת תהיה נעדרת) – meaning, the judgment of reality will no longer be made according to an intellectual standard of truth, but according to its expressions in human imagination. One might consider this an early prediction of the postmodern era.

The Return of Imagination to Center Stage

Rav Kook explains that for a long period, we were forced to weaken and neglect the powers of imagination and experience because they served as the basis for idolatry. In general culture as well, intellectual philosophy replaced mythology, which is rich in imagination.

But now, the imagination is awakening and returning to the forefront of culture.

It permeates every field: Popular culture, where pop stars and television personalities are the heroes of the nation; Politics, which is becoming a spectacle; and even Science, which is freeing itself from restrictive rationality, enabling scientific breakthroughs like the theory of relativity or quantum theory.

According to Rav Kook, this is a complex process that may even appear negative on the surface. But internally, Rav Kook calls this "The counsel of the Lord from afar" (עצת ה' מרחוק) – meaning, an important process with a supreme and hidden agenda.

Preparing the Vessels for the Renewal of Prophecy

Rav Kook's perception is closely linked to the belief in the renewal of prophecy and the emergence of a modern prophetic culture.

Since imagination is one of the foundations of prophecy – which is impossible without it – it must serve as a healthy and strong basis to contain the spirit of the new prophecy. That is, the current trend in which imagination rises and strengthens is actually a process of preparing the prophetic vessels.

The new prophecy will not be like the ancient prophecy, where imagination was the sole dominant force. It will constitute a new synthesis between the intellect and the imagination.

It follows that contemporary culture and art are Pre-Prophetic art. Its purpose is the development and expansion of the boundaries of imagination, as well as the renewal of the existing templates of wisdom and consciousness in humanity during our time.

The Modern Prophet

It is written in the Talmud that since the destruction of the Temple, prophecy was taken from the prophets and given to fools, the wise, and children. That is, the profile of the prophet split into its three components: intellect, imagination, and emotion.

These are also the tools of the creating person, the future prophet, in whom intellect, imagination, and emotion will unite in harmony.

Prophecy is a virtue (סגולה) of the Nation of Israel and it is destined to return during the final revival. That is, according to Rav Kook, what is happening now before our eyes is nothing but a process of growth and emergence of a modern Israeli prophetic culture.