Important Historic Letter from Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook HaKohen about the Chevron Yeshivah

Important Historic Letter from Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook HaKohen about the Chevron Yeshivah

Rare and important historic and lengthy letter [approximately 150 words] entirely handwritten and signed by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook - first chief rabbi of the Land of Israel. Jerusalem, 1925. To the best of our examination, this letter has not been printed.

The letter was written on the occasion of the historic event of the relocation of the mother of yeshivahs, Knesset Yisrael-Slobodka, led by the Alter, from its original home in Lithuania, cradle of the yeshivahs, to Chevron, city of the patriarchs, to the renewed Jewish settlement in the Holy Land.

In this historic letter, written in Rabbi Kook's inimitable manner, in a poetic style reminiscent of biblical prophets, Rabbi Kook writes about the importance of the settlement in Chevron: "They raised their hands to strengthen the Yishuv, Chevron, city of our forefathers, for G-d's sake. Unfortunately, all those bound by hope, awaiting Hashem's imminent salvation, all those interested in the settlement of the Land of Israel have until now been oppressed. My strong hope is that all our Jewish brethren near and far, including the leaders of our people, make efforts as one man to maintain this sacred stronghold, return the city to its former glory, so that the city where our forefathers are buried in the double cave with all its branches will shine with all its might and splendor to raise the banner of the entire Jewish people. Signed with a faithful blessing from the sacred mountain, Jerusalem, awaiting salvation for His people and His Land, Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook." His letter reads like a prophecy, may it be realized soon.

The catch is, this letter was intended as a letter of recommendation to support the Chevron yeshivah while it was enduring the difficulties of settling in in the Land of Israel. However, Rabbi Kook, with his burning love for the Land of Israel, apparently completely forgot the purpose of this letter, and does not expend even a word or two to mention the Chevron yeshivah! Only after the end of the letter (as can be seen in the letter's explanation) does he awaken from his burning love of the Land and recall the reason for the letter, and he inserts one additional line between two adjoining lines, which is in essence the entire goal of the letter: "And to strengthen the foundation of the construction of the Chevron yeshivah, presently being established for this sacred purpose." Indeed, this is a tangible example of the love of the People and of the Land that burned so much inside Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook!

[1] leaf paper, 22x16 cm. Approximately 17 lines handwritten and signed by Rabbi Kook. Placed in lamination for protection. The collector's stamp appears on the bottom with details about how the letter came into his hands.

Fine condition. Filing perforations. Fold marks. Tiny tears in the folds without damage to text. Not examined outside the lamination.