* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Today is the third anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Simcha Kook, zt”l. He was the municipal rabbi of Rehovot for more than 50 years. Here are a few recollections of him:
* Whenever I asked someone what they remembered about him, I heard this: “Me? I had a special connection with him.” Thousands of people had a feeling that they had a special, unique connection with him. And they were right. Each individual was truly important to him in a most personal way.
* Rabbi Kook gently and affectionately promoted Shabbat observance among every sector of the population, including those who were already observing it. For years, he encouraged people to set their Shabbat table on Thursday night with a white tablecloth in order to bring a Shabbat atmosphere into the home a day early.
* When there was an attempt to keep a mall in Rehovot open on Shabbat, he did not lead a protest with shouts of “Shabbos,” but led others in singing Shabbat songs outside the mall. He even invited those whose stores were open to come to his home for a Shabbat meal. Once, as a provocation, a group of youths set up tents outside his home on Shabbat morning. The rabbi took a Kiddush cup, wine and cookies, and went out to them to make a rousing Kiddush so they could see how Shabbat was meant to be honored.
* He had the ability to uplift everyone he met and made that person feel they had an important mission in life. A school guard recalled how each time the rabbi came to give a talk at the school, he would stop beside him and say: “You deserve much praise for your diligence in guarding a school of Jewish children!”. Such words, in pointing out the significance of your work, can make you happy for an entire day and beyond.
* Several years ago, the city of Rehovot celebrated residents who had reached the age of 100. At the event, one of the centenarians commented: “Everyone took pictures with me and blessed me today, but only one, Rabbi Simcha, invited me to come to his home tomorrow night for the Shabbat meal...”
In his memory.
