Editing Joseph B. Soloveitchik (section)

===Zionism===
Soloveitchik was the pre-eminent leader of politically conscious pro-Zionist modern Orthodox Judaism. Out of respect for his stature, many leaders and politicians from [[Israel]] sought his advice and blessings in state affairs. Reputedly, he was offered the position of [[Chief Rabbi#Israel|Chief Rabbi of Israel]] by Prime Minister Ben Gurion but quietly declined. Despite his open and ardent support for the modern [[Israel|State of Israel]], he only visited Israel once, in 1935, before the modern state was established. [[Yosef Blau]] has written that Soloveitchik's non-messianic Zionism was philosophically similar to that of [[Yitzchak Yaacov Reines]] (see ''Tradition'' 33.2, Communications).

On Yom ha-Atzma'ut (Israel's Independence Day), 1956, Soloveitchik delivered a public address at Yeshiva University entitled, "Kol Dodi Dofek; The Voice of My Beloved Knocks." The address, which has become a classic of religious Zionist philosophy, enumerates and elaborates upon the instances of God's tangible presence in the recent history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It also issues a clarion call to American Orthodoxy to embrace the State of Israel, and to commit itself and its resources to its development.