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The Netziv: A Chovev Zion from Paris. He also received letters from
well known rabbis and activists in Eretz
y nature, my father did every- Yisrael, as well as from simple people…
thing necessary, with iron
strength, to actualize his dreams There was no lack of letters from those
B– though he did so in a pleasant who opposed the idea of settling the Land.
manner, with grace. Just as he lifted the As was his way, my father responded to
ideal of love of Torah to an extraordinarily everyone. Sadly, the letters he wrote were
high level through the Volozhin Yeshiva, not preserved or gathered, and only a few
so too did he intensely desire to realize letters here and there have been saved and
his ideals in regard to Eretz Yisrael. He was publicized.
not satisfied, as most other rabbis were, My father reacted strongly to news of
with giving his approval to the settling people acting “freely” [not in accordance
of Eretz Yisrael or even by making efforts with Torah] in some of the new settle-
to encourage others to make Aliyah. His ments, and gave direction on how to
wholeness of soul brought him to the con- address and remedy the situation. But his
clusion that he and his family must settle dedication to Eretz Yisrael never wavered,
in the Land. Sadly, however, he suffered even for a moment. Quite the opposite
the same decree as the teacher of all of was true; he couldn’t bear it when people
Israel, Moshe Rabbeinu: “but you will not spoke badly about Eretz Yisrael, even when
come there” (Devarim 32:52). he didn’t suspect the speaker of any bad

Though the challenges facing the Volozhin intentions.
Yeshiva in those days were very difficult When a Jew from Eretz Yisrael would The Netziv
and complex, and my father was com- occasionally arrive at our home, he was seen and heard. After about an hour, we
pletely immersed in those issues, he immediately surrounded, and everyone heard my father yell with anger – some-
nevertheless spoke constantly about the would sit with him for hours to ask him thing that almost never happened – at the
settlements in Israel among our family. questions about all matters big and small. meshulach: “Get out of here, you meragel,
The “air of Eretz Yisrael,” the “ץ ֶר ֶא ְ ּ ד א ָרי ִו ֲא These guests would then enter my father’s you spy!”
ל ֵא ָר ְש ִי,” was felt throughout our home. room and speak with him without inter-
ׂ
When we received the mail, there were ruption. One time, a meshulach from a The meshulach, standing by the door, was
always several letters among the dozens yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael, Yechiel Michel the pale and afraid, and, struggling to get
that arrived that were related to Eretz Yis- Yerushalmi, came to visit. He was a pleas- the words out, asked: “Rebbe, do you not
rael and the Chibbat Zion movement. He ant Jew, moderate, and because he had believe me? Do you suspect that I am a
received letters from the Vaad in Odessa, of been to Eretz Yisrael several times, he was liar?”
which my father was one of the “gabbaim,” a distinguished guest in our home. This My father responded: “No. The meraglim
and he would receive letters from activists time, he entered my father’s office as he also did not tell lies. But it is forbidden to
like Rav Shmuel Mohilever, Rav Mordechai normally did to tell him the latest news speak of the disgrace of Eretz Yisrael, even
of Brisk, Tzadok HaCohen and Erlanger from Eretz Yisrael, based on what he had
if these things are true. One who speaks
negatively about the Land is like a mera-
gel!” The Jew asked forgiveness, promised
that he would not tell any more negative
stories about the Land and quickly and
quietly left the house.
One of the most distinguished students
at the Volozhin Yeshiva, Rav Avraham
Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, was particu-
larly beloved to my father. He was once
asked, “How do you feel in [the Volozhin]
Yeshiva?” He answered, “I feel as if I am
in Eretz Yisrael,” an answer that was very
significant in my father’s eyes.
My father was not just a supporter of Eretz
Yisrael in spirit; he also acted practically
to strengthen the Yishuv. He was very
involved in the Odessa Vaad, to the extent
that on Erev Yom Kippur during Mincha,
when the yeshiva students put out various
“bowls” for tzedakah, he ordered me to sit
The Volozhin Yeshiva next to the bowl for “Yishuv Eretz Yisrael,”

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