This coming Saturday night, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau will visit the former home and museum of iconic religious Zionist leader Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook in Jerusalem. There, in his first visit as Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Lau will speak at a Melaveh Malka event.
Rabbi Yochanan Freed, chairman of the Rabbi Kook House, told Arutz Sheva that once a month a special event is held in accordance with the month.
This Saturday, the event will be dedicated to the Torah of Eretz Yisrael (the land of Israel) and love of Eretz Yisrael. The coming month, Shevat in the Hebrew calendar, features the Tu B'Shevat holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, leading to the love of the land theme.
The event "is a good opportunity to hear the Chief Rabbi of Israel's opinions and approach," according to Rabbi Freed, who notes Rabbi Kook's legacy of loving and longing for Israel.
Rabbi Lau expressed his love of the land in October, when he met with communities in southern Israel established by Jews expelled from Gush Katif, telling them "you are meriting to establish and renew the Holy Land, and I draw strength from you."
"This proves that nothing can stop those who believe in the Torah," added Rabbi Lau, noting on how the communities were established after the setbacks of the 2005 "Disengagement" plan.
Rabbi Kook's House has been visited by several Chief Rabbis in the past, who drew on his figure as a guide given Rabbi Kook's establishment of the Chief Rabbinate institution.
Rabbi Freed makes particular mention of Rabbi Avraham Shapira, who gave lectures at the site twice weekly and "saw his activities as drawing from this place. He came to all events, especially the end of Simchat Torah when thousands come (to celebrate)."
The event this Saturday night, which will also be attended by Rabbi Aryeh Handler, is open to the public and will be accompanied by Arutz Sheva's film crew.