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settlements would incur during the The rabbis of Jerusalem, headed by reaches of the earth seek him out,
Shemitta year. This plan, however, never Rabbi Shmuel Salant and Rabbi Chayim to be enlightened by his Torah, righ-
came to fruition. Berlin, came out “with great zeal to teousness, and wisdom… Therefore,
defend the honor of the brilliant, great, when I arrived here in the Holy City
The Ridbaz and a number of rabbis
in Jerusalem refused to yield an inch. righteous, and renowned rabbi, our [Jerusalem] and informed [the rabbis]
that the story was true, they decided
master, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKo-
Nonetheless, the Rav stood his ground
and the settlers began forming ranks hen Kook” (to cite their own words). to issue this great warning. But this is
only the beginning. And if you fail to
In the declaration they issued, these
behind him, following his instructions
on how to act during the Shemitta year. gedolim expressed utter shock at this act heed this [warning]... [We must] arouse
all of Israel – in the Holy Land and
of insolence, cautioning the residents
Thus this whole ordeal actually for-
tified the Rav’s status as the highest of Jaffa and the settlements not to be abroad, dwellers and wayfarers, and
all of Jewry’s wise men – to do what-
party to this evil act of encroachment.
spiritual authority of the New Yishuv.
At the same time, his relations with the Rather, they should all stand behind ever they can to banish this scoffer,
their mentor, Rav Kook.
so that iniquity will leave the Jewish
rabbis and leaders of the Old Yishuv did
not suffer at all. Despite their sharp dif- The Ridbaz added his own, scathing people. For this is no private matter;
rather, one that affects the entirety
ferences of opinion on the heter mechira remarks to this warning:
issue, the Rav and the Ridbaz retained “In addition to what is written here, of Israel…”
a strong feeling of love and respect for
each other. I proclaim to you: When the brilliant
scholars – the mighty ones of Eretz
That very same year (5669), in the Yisrael – heard about the despicable
midst of the Shemitta debate, certain offense that was committed in your
individuals disputed the Rav’s rabbinic holy city, they were incensed. At first,
authority in Jaffa. One man even called they did not believe their ears, for who
himself “the Rav of Jaffa,” established would think that a fly with no wings
his own facilities for ritual slaughter would contend with the great eagle,  Reprinted with permission from An
(shechitah), and attempted to usurp Rav whose fame has spread throughout Angel Among Men (Urim Publications,
Kook’s authority. the world. People from the furthest 2003).

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