Shabbat Parashat Ki Tisa 5785

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: Public Response to Zealous Defense of Rav Kook – #308

Recipient and Background: Letter to the Editor of “Hamoriah,” which they published on 17 Sivan 5670. I did not find the letter referenced, but it was clearly effusive in praise of Rav Kook and the sale of the land for Shemitta and critical of those who opposed it.

Body: I must express my great pain over the things that rabbis from Yerushalayim wrote in a letter published in the newspaper “Ha’or,” of which I was unaware and unhappy. Although I know clearly that the writers, who are substantial Torah scholars and fearers of Hashem, intended to act for the sake of Heaven, still I believe that this is not the proper way to deal with disagreements over halachic rulings. Rather, we must judge favorably all of the sides and assume that each person intends to serve Hashem and provide the truth.

I am particularly pained by the exaggerated praises they wrote about me, which I unfortunately do not deserve, even partially. It would be terrible for me to consider myself a great man, even in comparison to a student of Torah, all the more so compared to serious rabbis. It is just that regarding the path of truth, and for the benefit of Bnei Yisrael and the Holy Land, even someone weak like me needs to say, “I am a great warrior, and I will not defer in the war of support of Hashem in sustaining Eretz Yisrael’s Jewish community.” This interest has become relevant in our days through the Rock of Israel’s kindness in preparing a path for His nation’s remnant to return to the place which was originally our tent. I consider it an obligation to strengthen the adherence to the ruling that was produced by venerable rabbis, for the welfare of our holy community, His nation, and His lot. Blessings to all who have a straight heart and love truth, who anticipate Hashem’s salvation for His nation and lot, who value the clear signs of the emergence of the End of Days, as the mountains of Israel give their fruit and produce branches for the returning nation of Hashem. [May blessing come to] those who stand by my right side to help along with Hashem’s “right arm.”

Kashrut on Soap – #309

Date and Place:  19 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo

Recipient and Background: Rav Baruch Meyers, Chief Rabbi of Haifa

Body: I hereby inform you that I have found no grounds for concern with the rabbinical certification on soap in Lod. I saw the whole production process. Everything is made from olive waste; there is no part of forbidden fat or other forbidden matter. I found among the producers an undoubtedly reliably observant person, and I tasked him to be the supervisor on an ongoing basis. Among the ownership partners, some are presumed to be reliably observant, with a connection to Torah and with fear of Heaven.

My opinion is that when you certify the Atid factory (in Haifa), you should use the same approach. You can rely on someone to be a constant supervisor even if he is not a kashrut professional but a worker who is known to be observant. Specifically, this supervisor must be reliable and steeped in fear of Heaven, when they will also make oil for eating, for then it will be necessary to take tithes. Especially if they will make sesame oil bought from non-Jews, it will be possible to rely on those who consider this to be produce whose preparation was finished by non-Jews and thus exempt from tithes, even if Jews buy it from them [and finish the process]. It will then be necessary to supervise carefully to separate between that which requires tithing and that which is exempt, and there should not be mistakes in the order of taking tithes. You will use your wisdom to do everything in the best way. May Hashem give you good counsel and enable us to raise the banner of His holy Torah on holy soil and raise the stature of the Jewish community of Eretz Yisrael with wisdom and fear of Hashem.

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