Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight
  

A Window into the Chareidi World

28 Ellul 5763 - September 25, 2003 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
NEWS

OPINION
& COMMENT

OBSERVATIONS

HOME
& FAMILY

IN-DEPTH
FEATURES

VAAD HORABBONIM HAOLAMI LEINYONEI GIYUR

TOPICS IN THE NEWS

HOMEPAGE

 

Produced and housed by
Shema Yisrael Torah Network
Shema Yisrael Torah Network

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS
Brotherly Understanding in Rechovot
By Yaron Yankelevitch

There are many ways to describe the developing tensions that have evolved between the religious and non-religious sectors in Israel. Without proper guidance and teaching, one might find oneself baselessly hating fellow Jews and causing a severe rift.

Such guidance was recently provided by Rabbi Simcha HaKohen Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, who is known as an understanding and benevolent figure of Torah in Israel. As he patiently explains the importance of continuing our heritage here in Israel, it is inspiring to see Am Israel united.

For the thirty years in which the Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, Rabbi Simcha HaKohen Kook has been in office, the Rav has taken the issue of instilling Jewish roots in children and adolescents very seriously. Especially during the month of Elul, when even secular schools prepare their students for a brief introduction of the upcoming holidays, the headmasters reluctantly open their gates and receive the Chief Rabbi to lecture on topics of Jewish values.

"This is the hot season, and I have to make the best of it before its over," the Chief Rabbi says. One can see the Rav hurrying from school to school, familiarizing the children with their heritage and introducing them to topics rarely mentioned in their usual curriculum.

"If we don't make an effort to inform and educate these children while they are young," Rav Kook fervently mentions, "then in a few years the task will be increasingly difficult due to the nature of negative exposure they received in elementary school."

In his attempts to keep the channels open, the Chief Rabbi hosted Rechovot's mayor at the Yeshiva of Rechovot before Pesach, where a hachnosas sefer Torah was held in honor of the late mayor's father, Mr. Forer.

It was a fantastic spectacle, seeing so many diverse people, some enjoying this type of event for their first time, while others were closely connected with the Rav and his congregation. The mayor himself, who is truly fond of his close relationship with the Rabbinic Council, praises the Rav for his unbiased and considerate approach in dealing with controversial issues. The Rav gives a weekly lecture at the mayor's office for all managers and clerks on topics ranging from Chumash to Halacha to Gemora. This highly praised lecture is the gem of the community.

This last Pesach, there was an incident with a local pizzeria that indicates the approach of the Rav. That establishment decided to open during Chol Hamoed Pesach. The Chief Rabbi has always emphasized that Shabbos and Passover are the symbols of the city's harmony. A few individuals gathered outside the store, reading Tehillim in protest.

The Rav happened to be passing by and was asked by the protesters to join them. The Rav agreed since it was not an organized protest, and there were only about ten or fifteen people. In a matter of minutes the crowd grew and filled the entire sidewalk as well as the street. All who noticed the Rav slowly whispering the words of Tehillim felt impelled to join him. Finally the owner of the store came out and said he would respect their wishes and close down. A peaceful solution has always been the Rav's motto.

Rechovot was blessed with a relatively large Russian community. The Rav, with the aid of a handful of the city's important members, formed kiruv institutions to bring the communities together. Several Russian families enrolled their children in religious schools, and some bochurim joined the Yeshiva of Rechovot.

One can imagine what an immense endeavor it is to erect such institutions. Nonetheless the Rav repeatedly exerts himself and finds aid to these needy families.

 

All material on this site is copyrighted and its use is restricted.
Click here for conditions of use.