RABBI JUDAH OU-NCSY MISCHEL Mashpiah, Executive Director, Camp HASC Dedicated L'Iluy Nishmas HaChaver Shlomo Michael ben Meir z'l
Galus Jews, Geulah Yiden
I
n the spring of 1920, in the aftermath of World War I, the Allied Supreme Council of the League of Nations gathered in San Remo, Italy, and granted the British Empire a mandate over “Palestine”. In issuing the Balfour Declaration three years earlier, Britain expressed its support for the establishment of a Jewish national home in Eretz Yisrael, and when word of the decision reached Jerusalem, a formal celebratory gathering was held in the Churvah Shul of the Old City. Rav Avraham Yitzchak haKohen Kook zy’a donned Shabbos clothing in honor of the event, and spoke with great passion about the meaning of the San Remo conference as a significant moment for Klal Yisrael. Some of Rav Kook’s extremist opponents criticized his participation in the celebration, and posted scathing 30
TORAH TIDBITS / BEHAR BECHUKOTAI 5780
personal attacks on pashkevillin posters across the city denigrating Rav Kook and dismissing the significance of San Remo. Students and supporters gathered around their embattled teacher, waiting to hear Rav Kook’s reaction. The holy Rav responded by expounding upon the Gemara’s statement at the end of Masechet Ta’anis (30b): “‘Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all who mourn for her’(Yeshayahu 66:10). Based on this, our sages said, ‘Whoever mourns for Jerusalem will merit and see her future joy, and whoever does not mourn for Jerusalem will not see her future joy.’” Rav Kook explained a p’shat, a simple interpretation, in the name of Rebbe Yisrael of Rhizhin zy’a: “Shouldn’t the statement of the Gemara be that one who mourns will merit to see its ‘rebuilding’
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