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Rabbi Simcha

HaKohen Kook ל״צז

An Appreciation

Sivan Rahav-Meir

abbi Simcha HaKohen Kook, who
passed away one year ago on the
23rd of Iyar at the age of 92, did
Rso many great things: He was the
beloved chief rabbi of the city of Rechovot
for decades and rabbi of the “Hurva” Syna-
gogue in the Old City of Jerusalem. He was
President of the “Meor HaTalmud” yeshiva
in Rechovot and stood at the head of many
other educational institutions throughout
the years. He was an eloquent speaker who
was much sought after by audiences both
in Israel and abroad, and led many public
initiatives, especially in building bridges
between the non-observant and religious
sectors. But among his most memorable
deeds, personally speaking, was his offici- Rabbi Simcha HaKohen Kook officiating the wedding of Sivan Rahav-Meir and Yedidya Meir.
ating our wedding.
He was the brother of the grandfather of would return to the proper path, then
Yedidya, my husband, and hosted us in his G-d and Yerovam and King David would
home in Rechovot on the Shabbat before stroll together in Gan Eden. But then
the wedding. It was difficult to keep up Yerovam asked: Who will go first? G-d
with him as he quickly walked between answered that King David would go first.
so many synagogues on Shabbat. At the Yerovam responded: If so, I do not need
third meal (seuda shlishit), he sat down to to go. And so, instead of walking in Gan
speak with us. I remember the picture of Eden together with G-d and King David,
his famous uncle, Rav Avraham Yitzchak he chose Gehinnom.
HaKohen Kook zt”l, on the wall behind His message to us was clear: Ego is an Sivan Rahav-Meir
him. You could see his uncle’s special quali- enemy. The desire to prevail over the other is a media personality and lecturer. She lives
ties in him, his nephew, as well: sensitivity, person and prove that you are better can in Jerusalem with her husband, Yedidya,
compassion, and love for every individual, spoil and destroy everything. This is true and their five children, and serves as World
at times to the point of tears, yet together in marriage, in children’s education, and Mizrachi’s Scholar-in-Residence. She is a
with an uncompromising steadfastness in all areas of life. primetime anchor on Channel 2 News, has
regarding his values and his faith. a column in Israel’s largest newspaper,
After 92 years of concern for the honor Yediot Acharonot, and has a weekly radio
The pre-marriage advice he gave us of heaven, and never for his own, Rabbi show on Galei Tzahal (Army Radio).
came from a story in the Talmud. It con-
cerned the wicked Yerovam ben Nevat. Simcha went up to G-d, in Gan Eden, Join me at the
G-d grabbed his garment and entreated together with King David. World Orthodox Israel Congress Est. 1902
him to retreat from his evil ways. If he  Translated by Yehoshua Siskin. orthodoxisraelcongress.org 120 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS ZIONISM

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