Shabbat Parashat Bereishit 5783

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Letter to a Brother – #125 Part I

Recipient: Rabbi Dov Ber Kook, Rav Kook’s younger brother, a rabbi in Russia, at the time. 

Body: After a long time of hoping to be able to read the sweet words written by your right hand, dear brother, we received your postcard. It is like we are used to doing; we are like rich people who skimp when it comes to letters, but this too brought us contentment. I thank Hashem for the peace you are enjoying. I call upon you, my dear brother, and I include myself in the request, that the time has come that we stop being lazy. It would be better off if we benefitted one from the other’s counsel and wisdom, whether with a short or a long letter, as time permits, and to refresh our spirits from time to time with letters of friendship and brotherhood, not the letters of colleagues who barely know each other.

Although I could claim a fair share of good excuses [for not writing enough], I do not want to vindicate myself fully. A lot is caused by physical weakness, and more is caused by weakness of the spirit, which is a moral blemish, which one can heal if he chooses to do so. It is simply necessary to repent from the sin of withholding good from one’s counterpart, may Hashem grant me atonement.

My dear brother, you should not think that my claims of being under pressure are exaggerated. I am truly under pressure from a great yoke, both the yoke of actions and the yoke of thinking and planning. My thoughts churn when I see the broad plane [of matters that require tending] of true service of Hashem, on behalf of our nation, our Land, and the light of the world. Laziness prevents much good from getting done, as does heaviness of the limbs and heaviness of the spirit.

There has recently been a change for the better here, in the happenings of our beit din, as a dayan (Rav Zalman Shach, who was later killed in 1929) was added, and he is an exceptional scholar and a well-liked man. I hope this will lighten my practical load somewhat. I have begun to become more involved in the “Shomrei Torah” organization, which I had originally not done because I was concerned that the difference in philosophy would be a problem. I hope, though, that things will continue to improve in this regard.

In the Shaarei Torah school here in Yafo, I authorized the establishment of a department for vocational study, which is growing. I hope that this will give honor to the religious community, and let the public know that we are interested in the practical building of the Land. They are already occupied with producing metal cabinets for storage rooms, which are of no less quality than those that are imported from Europe. The logo of “Shaarei Torah Workshop” will be proudly displayed on them. I am of the opinion that we should be proud of this.

Regarding the yeshiva, there are many ideas. The plan has made a major impact on the religious community of Germany. Rav Yitzchak Isaac Halevi, the author of Dorot Rishonim (see letters #103, 111) is close to joining the group of supporters, and he has a lot of influence in the West. The members of Mizrachi from that area are interested in joining the effort, and others are also favorably inclined to helping. However, the matter has to be started in a big way, as is appropriate for the honor of the Holy Land and the light of the Torah within it.   

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