3 Elul · Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook passed away from this world on the 3rd of Elul, 5695 (1935) (zechuto yagen aleinu). He was distinguished by his great love for the people of Israel, and he merited that his soul illuminates the path for generations, instilling love and faith in our souls. He resembles Avraham, the founder of the Jewish people. Our forefather Avraham, who laid the foundations of goodness in the world and the foundation of the Jewish people, was called by the Al-mighty "the one who loves Me" (Yeshayahu). He was the first to believe in the Al-mighty to such an extent that he was ready to give up his life rather than abandon his faith. "And he believed in the Al-mighty, and it was counted to him as righteousness." And he merited the blessing: "Go forth from your land... to the land that I will show you. And I will make you a great nation... and you shall be a blessing" (Bereishit 11).
Just like our forefather, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook thought about the future nation that would be born from the flames of world wars and the struggle for the land. He wanted to unite all its scattered communities on the basis of mutual love and lead them toward the goal set out at the very beginning: to establish on the Holy Land a nation that brings blessing to all tribes and nations. He was given the difficult task of being the man who would pave the way from two thousand years of exile into the era of redemption. This required a rare gift — the ability to perceive the emerging age, its characteristics and features, and to understand that the breaking down of old foundations is a necessary condition for the beginning of something new. It is not so simple to discern the light of the future when you live in a time of universal chaos, when the foundations of the world are collapsing, and light and darkness act together, inseparable, as in the first six days of Creation. People who pave the way for others are distinguished by their capacity for self-sacrifice for the sake of the nation and by their willingness to be its servant.
Approbation for the Sephardic Siddur
It is interesting to read a letter written by Rav Kook in 1905, addressed to Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki, rabbi of the Mountain Jewish community, in response to the latter's request for a written approbation of the prayer book with commentary that he had written, "Ohalei Yaakov."
In Judaism there is a tradition of giving approval (haskama) in an accompanying letter, which is published at the beginning of a book. In the haskama, a recognized authority in Torah study gives a brief commentary on the book and endorses it. The haskama serves as testimony that the book's content is worthy of attention and that the author is indeed well versed in the subject about which he writes.
Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki spent many years researching the Sephardic machzor, the prayer book containing the holiday prayers. To this end, he studied numerous ancient sources. He based the wording of the piyutim (poetic liturgical texts) on their accuracy and clear scholarly interpretation. This work, like other writings of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki, reflects his scholarly and historical approach.
In the collection of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki's manuscripts, held at the Archive of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, there are impressive letters of approbation for his machzor. The letters were received from the greatest rabbis of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among them was Rabbi Shmuel Salant, who at the time was the rabbi of the Ashkenazi community's kollel in Jerusalem, Chacham Bashi Eliyahu Moshe Panigel, and Chacham Shaul Elyashar, who were the chief Sephardic rabbis of Eretz Yisrael. Standing out among these is the letter of Rav Kook, who in those years served as rabbi of Jaffa and the moshavot (Jewish settlements). In this letter, Rav Kook confirms his acceptance of the machzor, but explains that he does not consider himself worthy to write an "approbation."
"I received the rabbi's letter together with the machzor 'Ohalei Yaakov,' with its wonderful commentary, with great joy. My heart was filled with happiness and joy when I saw how light shines upon the songs and piyutim of the holy Sephardic communities. How precious is his good treasure, in which ancient songs have been gathered. The author invested much labor, and now he has brought it all complete, full of true holiness, to all who desire it. (As for his request that I give my approbation to his precious commentary on the machzor — I do not consider myself worthy of this. His holy words are good and precious; they themselves testify to the purity of their creator's heart and to his extensive knowledge of all subjects of Torah. And I, who am far inferior in knowledge, do not consider myself entitled to praise books that spread light."
Rav Kook concludes the letter with wishes of health, strength, and long life to Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchaki. He wishes that the rabbi continue writing books that reveal the light of truth to many.
The letter testifies to the rare qualities of Rav Kook's character. It also offers valuable insight into the relationships between the leaders of Jewish communities of that era.
May the merit of the tzadik protect our people!