Bidspirit auction | Rabbi Kook’s Views on the

Rabbi Kook’s Views on the Study of Kabbalah!! Lengthy and Important Letter. Jerusalem, 1922 - A lengthy and richly detailed letter, entirely handwritten and signed by Maran Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook, containing an enthusiastic approbation for the book Ruach HaGan, which deals with the wisdom of Kabbalah and the revelation of the Divine. Jerusalem, eve of 7 Tammuz 5682 [1922]. Before us is one of Rabbi Kook’s rare approbations for a book devoted to the wisdom of Kabbalah. In the volume Haskamot HaRa’ayah, which contains hundreds of Rabbi Kook’s approbations for various books and works, only a handful relate to works dealing with Kabbalah. The present approbation is also exceptional in its length: it extends over three large pages, written in Rabbi Kook’s elevated and poetic style, reminiscent of the language of the Biblical prophets. He incorporates fundamental ideas concerning the “Wisdom of Truth, ” the secrets of the Torah, the revelation of Divine light, and the role of the mystical teachings of the Torah in the era of Redemption. In the course of his approbation for this Kabbalistic work, Rabbi Kook elaborates on his outlook regarding the study of the Wisdom of Truth, the revelation and dissemination of the secrets of the Torah in his time, and connects them with the redemption of both soul and body and the return of Israel to its spiritual source. He writes that this wisdom was prepared: “For the redemption of the soul and the redemption of the body, and to illuminate the light of yearning to the ends of the earth, and through it to uplift the poor of the nation of G-d… to return them to the Rock of their strength and their refuge, and to bring them back in complete repentance, in ways of pleasantness and paths of peace.” Particularly illuminating passages appear later in the letter, where Rabbi Kook describes the special need to disseminate the inner teachings of the Torah specifically in his generation [and all the more so in ours]. In the face of “torrents of evil, bitter and alien opinions, rising with tumult and great brazenness to swallow up all that is holy, ” he calls upon those endowed with the necessary abilities to enter into the inner realms of the Torah and draw from them spiritual light for the people of the generation: “It is a time to act for G-d, to seek with wisdom and knowledge; and every person whom G-d has endowed with a writer’s pen, sound intellect, and a gifted heart, is worthy of entering within the Holy, to gather lights from G-d’s vineyard, the secrets of the Torah, and to explain, as far as possible, some of the paths of understanding before the yearning souls, so that they may look and become radiant.” Rabbi Kook concludes his vision with the sublime words: “And as the matter spreads, our Torah endeavor, which carries knowledge afar, will expand… and the light of Israel will shine to the ends of the earth.” The letter concludes with an extensive series of blessings to the author for his work, followed by Rabbi Kook’s handwritten signature: “Signing with every manner of blessing, and blessing him with strength of hand for the service of G-d and His holy people forever… the humble Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook.” Due to the importance of this approbation, it was published several times. The letter was first printed in Ruach HaGan, the book for which it was written; it was subsequently published in Ish Yerushalayim [in part], Michtavei HaRa’ayah, and Haskamot HaRa’ayah, which collects Rabbi Kook’s approbations. [3] leaves, 28 cm. Written on fine official stationery, with a watermark impressed into the paper. The entire letter is handwritten and signed by Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook. Good condition. Minor ink stains. Filing-clip marks at the upper edges of the leaves.