Thursday, January 11, 2018

New Book Authored By Rabbi A”Y Kook זצ''ל Published After 130 Years


130 years after it was written and 83 years after the death of its author, a new book by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook was published. Rabbi Kook was one of the great sages from the previous century who formed the spiritual backbone of the religious Zionist movement.
When he was only 22 years old, Rabbi Kook was appointed to be the Rabbi of Žeimelis, a town in Lithuania which Jews called Žeimel. At that time Rabbi Kook began writing his thoughts down in notebooks. Some of these notes were comprised of only one line, while other spanned pages of flowing text. In one of the notebooks were 430 separate sections spanning all matters in Judaism, from Halachik philosophy to thoughts on the Parsha.
Over the years, approximately one-third of the notebook was published in various works attributed to Rabbi Kook. However, for some reason, no one knew about the remainder of the notebook, and those who did not see fit to publish it. Then, 15 years ago a photocopied version of the notebook found its way to the hands of Rabbi Harel Cohen, who is in charge of the publishing house for Yeshivat Beit El.
“I received a copy of the notebook from Rabbi Boaz Ofan from Yeshivat Beit El. 11 years later, after we saw that no one is publishing the work, we gathered a staff of 15 avreichim and rabbanim and began the arduous task of publishing the work which took us four years to accomplish.
The book is called Metziut Kattan and spans 750 pages of thoughts by Rabbi Kook over the years. “Damage caused by time, poor copying and the special style of handwriting which Rabbi Kook had caused it to take four years for us to understand each word in the high vocabulary that is a signature of Rabbi Kook’s work. This work puts into perspective parts of his other works that referenced the full notebook, which until now had been unavailable.”
Rabbi Cohen added: It was rare for Rabbi Kook to write books in a linear and ordered format. The majority of his works were written in letter or notebooks such as the one that came into our possession. He thought faster than he could write and was not able to put himself in a place where he could write according to specific linear subjects. This notebook is but the first of dozens that were written in this style.”



23 comments:

BigFatGetchka said...

Does anyone know if this sefer is available in the States yet?
I've tried several stores but no luck yet.

EX-MERKAZNIK said...

There are a whole lot of manuscripts by R" Kook which those in charge will never publish.

I wonder what THEY ARE HIDING..

Dusiznies said...

9:44
And which Birdie told you that ????
If you know something ,,,, tell us now!!!
I think what they are hiding is the Satmar's Rebbe childish remark and belief that the USA never reached the moon and that it was a Hollywood fabrication ...

AishKodesh said...

DIN, What's the Sefer called? Rav Kook zt"l was a big Gadol and his works are very nice.

Dusiznies said...

Aish Kodesh
The name of the sefer is "Metziut Kattan"

AishKodesh said...

Ah, thank you my friend.

EX-MERKAZNIK said...

You deny what I wrote!
>>>There are a whole lot of manuscripts by R" Kook which those in charge will never publish.
I wonder what THEY ARE HIDING..<<<

Check up with your connections at Merkaz harav
and there are long discussions about this on Bechadrei Chareidim. Stop fooling yourself and responding to every comment you dislike by pouring your shmutz on Satmar etc

We all see through you..

Anonymous said...

So tell us what they're hiding> Seems you pouring the shmutz in a sly way

Anonymous said...

Who are the Torah Giants (Gedolei haTorah)?


They need not offer detailed plans for immediate implementation, but they must set a vision and offer direction.
Occasionally, people from the hareidi community question or attack my articles. Even though they are well aware that I strive to follow in the path of Maran Harav Kook zt”l, nevertheless they argue: “Why don’t you accept the authority of the Gedolei haTorah (eminent Torah scholars)?” The simple answer is: I don’t consider them Gedolei haTorah.

They definitely are important talmidei chachamim (Torah scholars) whose fear of sin precedes their wisdom, educate many disciples, and it is a mitzvah to respect them. But they are not Gedolei haTorah.

Gadlute beTorah (Torah greatness, eminence) necessitates an all-embracing, fully accountable handling of serious issues facing the generation, including: the attitude towards Am Yisrael in all its diversity and various levels – both religious, and non-religious; the attitude towards mitzvoth of yishuv haaretz (settling the Land) and the on-going war which has surrounded it for over a century; the attitude towards science and work, and the contemporary social and economic questions.

Anonymous said...

His Personality

There have been scores of Torah giants in recent generations, but the stature of none compares to that of Rabbi Avraham Isaac HaCohen Kook, zt”l (1865 -1935). His genius was astounding – there was no field of Torah study that he had not mastered. His recall was astonishing – great scholars related that no matter what Torah subject they discussed with him it would appear as if he had just recently learned the issue in depth. Not only was he versed, sharp, and innovative in the arenas of Talmud and Halakha, he was at home in all areas of Jewish thought: Bible, Midrash, philosophy, and mysticism. On top of all this, he was unmatched in piety and righteousness, and his entire existence was dedicated to the service of the Creator. Rabbi Kook was a mighty figure who fought for truth and was willing to put himself on the line for the sake of Torah justice.

It is not uncommon for extreme brilliance to result in strange character traits, but Rabbi Kook was friendly and pleasant, so much so that all who knew him were captivated by his warm character. He was intellectual and emotional, sharp and poetic. He possessed a rich inner life, while at the same time was very active spiritually and publicly on behalf of the Torah, the nation, and the land. That all of these talents could reside together harmoniously in one soul is itself remarkable.

Anonymous said...

The Respect of His Contemporaries

The aforementioned descriptions were expressed not only by Rabbi Kook’s disciples. The great Torah leaders of his time also attested to these facts. Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer once said to the famed Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky from Vilna, “The two of us are considered Torah giants until we reach the door of Rabbi Kook’s office.” When he participated in rabbinic envoys within Israel and abroad, other great rabbis joined him: Rabbi Epstein, Dean of the Slobodka Yeshiva and the Rabbi from Kovna, author of “Dvar Avraham”, yet it was clear that Rabbi Kook was the most prominent among them.

The Gerer Rebbe admitted that Rabbi Kook remembered the writings of his father, the “Sefat Emet” even better than he himself. The renowned and learned Kabbalist, author of “Leshem Shvo VeAchlama,” said of Rabbi Kook that there was no Torah secret that he was not aware of.

It is told of a certain rabbi who was immersed in the study of Kabbalah and was having trouble finding the source of certain writings in his possession. He turned to the leading mystics in Jerusalem but they could not help him. When they suggested that he speak with Rabbi Kook, he was surprised, for he could not believe that Rabbi Kook, who as Chief Rabbi was so busy with public issues and Halakhic inquiries from morning until night would be able to identify the material at hand; but the rabbi did.

Once, a youngster who was studying at the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva High School was having doubts about his future direction of study and he turned to Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurbach for advice. The student said that perhaps because the majority of Torah leaders do not agree with the path taken by Rabbi Kook, it would be more appropriate for him to follow the path of the majority. Rabbi Aurbach responded, saying, “What are you talking about? In the time of Rabbi Kook, the majority of Torah giants were ‘all as if nothing’ compared to him.”

Rabbi Kook conducted the marriages of both Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurbach, zt”l, and Rabbi Elyashiv, shlita. He was their rabbi. Rabbi A.I. Kerlitz, the “Chazon Ish,” addressed Rabbi Kook as “our royal and respected Rabbi.”

IF ANYBODY FALLS FOR THESE RESHAYIM COOMMENTERS VILLIFYING RABBI KOOK ZATL WHO ARE WEARING FAKE JEW MASKS, YOU ARE ENDARING YOUR SOUL

Anonymous said...

This account appeared in the Yated Ne'eman a number of years ago.


The Chofetz Chaim had a dream of making aliyah. He tried a number of times - but he wasn't successful. Toward the end of his life, there were again rumors that he was going to move to Israel. In fact someone came to the Chazon Ish and reported that he had inside information that the Chofetz Chaim would soon be landing in Yaffo. The Chazon Ish looked up from his gemora and said simply:
"It isn't true. The Chofetz Chaim will never come to Israel." He continued, "I don't say this because I am a navi with ruach hakodesh. It is simple logic. Everyone knows that there is a very close relationship between the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Kook. If the Chofetz Chaim came to Israel then they would visit each other. This would cause strong upset in certain circles. As a consequence of this backlash - the Mishna Berura would be abandoned and thrown in the trash. It is clear that G-d does not want this happen to the Mishna Berura. Consequently it is impossible that the Chofetz Chaim will be coming to Israel."
====================
Regarding the Chofetz Chaim's attitude to Rav Kook. The following letter was written 3 years after the dedication of Hebrew University by the Chofetz Chaim's son-in law. It has been alleged that the Chofetz Chaim expressed contempt for Rav Kook as the result of the dedication. It is clear from this letter that the Chofetz Chaim had a very high opinion of Rav Kook even after the incident.

Anonymous said...

Collected by Mordechai Friedfertig.
Ha-Rav Aviner Shilt"a encouraged spreading its message]


1. The Praises of the Netziv

The Netziv – Rosh Yeshiva of the Volozhin Yeshiva - said about Maran Ha-Rav Kook: "He is equal to everyone else [in the Volozhin Yeshiva]", "There was never a student like this in Volozhin" and "If the Volozhin Yeshiva was established only for this great student – it would have been enough." Ha-Rav Reuven Bengis – Av Beit Din of the Edah Charedit – similarly said that the most important [student] in the Yeshiva is the son-in-law of the Rav of Ponevezh (Ha-Rav Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Te'omim, Ha-Aderet – Maran Ha-Rav Kook's father-in-law).
[Tal Ha-Re'eiyah pp. 59-60, Shivchei Ha-Re'eiyah p. 45 and Be-Derech Ha-Torah Ha-Goelet p. 189]


2. The Chafetz Chaim: Know that he is holy and pure and anyone who impinges on his honor will not go unpunished.

The Chafetz Chaim once came to Ponovezh in his effort to organize Torah scholars who were Cohanim to learn matters relating to "Kodashim" (the sacrifices in the Temple), since the Temple would soon be built and therefore there would be a need to know the practical Halachah. He turned to Maran Ha-Rav, who was a Cohain (and who was stayed in his father-in-law's house), and asked him to focus on the laws relating to the Temple and sacrifices. A few days later, Maran Ha-Rav visited the Chafetz Chaim in the place where he was staying. The Chafetz Chaim said to him: "I have a request of you, but promise me from the outset that you will fulfill it." Maran Ha-Rav responded: "Since I trust that his honor will not request anything which is inappropriate from me, I promise to fulfill your request." "This is my request" – said the Chafetz Chaim – "When a Rabbinic offer comes before you do not refuse to accept it." Maran Ha-Rav, who had decided not to involve himself with the Rabbinate, found himself in a difficult position, and wanted to free himself and said: "In order to accept a Rabbinic position I would have to involve myself with the halachic authorities who discuss the issues involved, and I already promised his honor to involve myself with 'Kodashim.'" Chafetz Chaim thought hard and said: "I give up on your first promise, your Rabbinate is more important"…
[Bisdeh Ha-Re'eiyah p. 218, Sichot Ha-Re'eiyah p. 122, Tal Ha-Re'eiyah p. 90, Moadei Ha-Re'eiyah p. 231 and 550, Bein Shenei Cohanim Gedolim pp. 32-33 and mentioned in Bishelosha Be-Elul vol. 1 p. 35]


Anonymous said...

. Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Shlit"a: Ha-Rav Kook was greater than us!

R' Aryeh Levin, who often visited Ha-Rav Shlomo Eliyashuv, the author of "Leshem Shevo Ve-Achlama," met the latter's young grandson there – R' Yosef Shalom. Even then, R' Areyh recognized the unique greatness of R' Yosef Shalom. R' Aryeh once spoke with Maran Ha-Rav Kook about his sorrow that there was a wonderful, righteous, young Torah scholar who would a great match for his (R' Aryeh's) daughter, but the young man did not respond favorably to his suggestion (either because he thought he had better options or he was not ready to marry). Maran Ha-Rav asked for the identity of the young man, and told that is was R' Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Maran Ha-Rav called for the young man and spoke to him. The younger R. Eliyashuv then accepted the proposal and the couple married. Maran Ha-Rav Kook served as the Mesader Kiddushin. When Maran Ha-Rav's name comes up, Ha-Rav Elyashiv often said that he was honored that Maran Ha-Rav performed his wedding.
[Parashah Sheet "Shevet Ha-Re'eiyah #31]


Ha-Rav Yosef Buxbaum, the director of the journal "Moriah” and student of Ha-Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach related:
It once happened that one of the editors of the "Otzar Mefarshei Ha-Talmud" (Treasury of Talmudic Commentators) included a ruling of Maran Ha-Rav Kook, but another editor removed it. I asked him why he removed the ruling: was it because he raised a difficultly with it and it required further study? He answered: "I didn't even look into the issue. I just think that a ruling of Ha-Rav Kook is not appropriate for 'Otzar Mefarsehi Ha-Talmud.'" I said to him: "From this moment, you are fired!" The editor did not accept his decision, and they went to Ha-Gaon Ha-Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Ha-Rav Elyashiv was shocked and said to the editor: "Did you know Ha-Rav Kook?! You should know – he was holy. He did not belong to our generation, and in his generation, they did not properly understand him. Reb Yosef was certainly permitted to fire you. I would have done the same thing."
[Weekly parashah sheet "Shevet Ha-Re'eiyah #31 and #50]


It is related that Rabbanit Elyashiv once heard words which impinged upon Maran Ha-Rav's honor, and it caused her so much pain that she physically suffered from it for many days.
[Tzadik Yesod Olam p. 232 and Parashah Sheet "Shevet Ha-Re'eiyah #50]


Ha-Rav Elyashiv once wrote a halachic ruling, and after he finished someone showed him a different opinion which Maran Ha-Rav had written on the subject. Ha-Rav Elyashiv immediately ripped up his ruling and changed his opinion to that of Maran Ha-Rav.
[Parashah Sheet "Shevet Ha-Re'eiyah #50]


Ha-Rav Elyashiv once mentioned a particular teaching of Maran Ha-Rav. Someone who was present said that Rabbi so-and-so, one of the greatest Rabbis of the generation, sayid otherwise. Ha-Rav Elyashiv simply responded: Ha-Rav Kook was greater than us!

Anonymous said...

YOU MANURE STINKS SHUT YOUR EVIL MOUTHS< YOU WILL BURN ALL WHO BADMOUTH THE MOST EMINENT RIGHTEOUS RABBI OF THREE GENERATIONS,

Yosh55 said...

They are hiding his hatred for the yashuv haYashan...see rhe rosenak article

Yosh55 said...

Ive read every biography of rav kook and also academic and never seen many of these things...

Ilan said...

I doubt that there are more than 2-3 serious people on this blog who are genuine seekers of truth.

So for them here is a link to a site "Azamercha Baleumim"
http://www.yoel-ab.com/

and the sefer "Dat HaZiyonit"
http://yoel-ab.com/images/dat_haziyonut_A.pdf

published by a person (יואל אלחנן (שם ספרותי who describes his background thus:
לשעבר: תלמיד החמ"ד, חניך "בני עקיבא", פעיל "נוער הליכוד", פעיל תנועת "מולדת", מוסיקאי.
כיום אברך, ועוסק בחקר הציונות הדתית.

It is very interesting reading but especially for anyone following the controversy about Rav Kook which begins on page 100 chapter 6.
It starts with a generally unknown biography and continues on wih the rest of his life

Chaim Sonnenfeld said...

Ilan
The Sefer Daf HA’tzyoinit has been totally discredited by serious historians and called this Sefer a work of fiction .... especially the story of Dehann who was a homosexual and an Arab sympathizer ... this guy was taken seriously by Rav Sonnenfeld .... enough said

Yoile said...

Ilan
Hey as you probably know the author “Yosef Elchanan “ is a false name and was the head of the Neturei Karta .... all his facts are fraudulent and the author himself subsequently converted to Christianity
So much for this Sefer ����

Captain Dreyfus said...

Yoile, you forgot to mention that the author was also found guilty of slaughtering Christian boys and using their blood when baking Satmar Matzos

Abe is a shoteh at this point said...

Rav moshe Weinberger said that rav kook was mashiach Ben yosef in his time.

AishKodesh said...

B"H

He certainly was pretty great...