Today is the third of Elul, marking Rav Kook’s passing 81 years ago. At the end of this message you can read a few articles about Rav Kook’s final days.
Rav Kook’s disciple Rav David Cohen - the Rav HaNazir - noted that, “after completing life in this world, the soul continues on, growing ever stronger.”
The Rav HaNazir's son, Rabbi Shaar Yashuv HaKohen of Haifa, passed away on the yahrzeit, yesterday evening.
We have certainly witnessed, on a practical level, constant growth in the world’s fascination with Rav Kook’s thought and vision, with its depth and originality, over the decades since his death in 1935. In the words of Prof. Dov Schartz of Bar Ilan University, “There is an intriguing quality about Rav Kook that grows stronger as one studies him.”
In honor of Rav Kook’s yahrzeit, the following books will be on sale for the next few days (Kindle edition only):
Gold from the land of Israel - $1.99 (regular price is $5.99).
Stories from the land of Israel - $0.99 (regular price is $3.49).
Splendor of Tefillin - free! (regular price is $0.99).
With Rosh Hashanah soon, I send my heartfelt wishes that the coming year will be a good and sweet one for all of you. Ketivah veChatimah Tovah -- may you and your families be inscribed in the book of life, blessings, good health and peace!
Rav Kook's words on the parsha and other issues are sent to Arutz Sheva weekly by Rabbi Chanan Morrison ravkooktorah.org
Prof. Hermann Zondek
ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE to speak with Rav Kook before his death was Prof. Hermann Zondek. Director of Jerusalem’s Bikur Cholim hospital, Zondek treated the rabbi during his final illness. The doctor was amazed at the rabbi’s concern and empathy for everyone with whom he came in contact — even during his last hours. more...
FOR TWELVE YEARS, the Rav HaNazir had labored to organize Rav Kook’s writings into a systematic, comprehensive work. As his revered master lay on his death bed, he showed him the beginning fruits of his labor — the title page of the first volume of Orot HaKodesh.
Rav Kook rejoiced; and he shed tears. more...
Menahem Ussishkin and Chaim Weizmann, 1921
DURING a session of the 19th Zionist Congress in Switzerland, the delegates received the bitter news: Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook, the Chief Rabbi of EretzYisrael, had passed away earlier that evening in Jerusalem. Overcome by grief and mourning, the session was brought to an early close.
When the assembly reopened, Dr. Chaim Weizmann invited Menachem Ussishkin, respected Zionist leader and president of the JNF, to say a few words in honor of the beloved Chief Rabbi. The text below is from Ussishkin’s eulogy at the Congress. more...
For more about Rav Kook and his impact, see: 75 Years Without Rabbi Kook: Selected Quotes by Arutz Sheva's former news editor Hillel Fendel (published 6 years ago).
