* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Today we mark four years since the passing of Rabbi Simcha Kook, who served as chief rabbi of Rehovot for decades as well as in many other distinguished roles. Here is a small idea that we can learn from a great personality:
He always sought to raise up those around him and to highlight the positive in every situation. He believed that every good deed and mitzvah he performed was of infinite value and we felt as if we were his partners in all that he did.
Learning and teaching Torah were of primary importance to him—since the very existence of the world is dependent upon the Torah. Whatever he was involved in at a particular moment was the most important thing in the world to him: whether it was when officiating as a sandek at a brit milah and blessing the newborn baby, while explaining the meaning of the mitzvah being performed, or when he welcomed a family of new olim who moved from Russia to Rehovot; when he would marry a new couple and speak under the chuppah (we were blessed to have Rav Simcha conduct our marriage ceremony); when he greeted the establishment of a new yishuv in Eretz Yisrael with great joy and enthusiasm; when he affixed a mezuzah to the doorpost of a new store in Rehovot; or when he mediated difficult public disputes and remained steadfast in asserting his stance.
He considered everything to be of utmost importance, the realization of ancient prophecies coming true in our time. He paid attention to every person around him.Even a guard at a school he entered was blessed with words of encouragement: “The children are able to learn in this school because you stand guard. What a privilege!”.
He would pay attention to a high school student who woke up early to recite Selichot, a mother pushing her baby carriage along the road, or a taxi driver who drove him to a class. With his warm smile and pleasant ways, he was able to make others feel important and valued. He tried to connect everything to holiness, to a higher sphere.
I invite you to strive to view the world from this perspective: to highlight the nobility and greatness of the people you meet and to do your part to elevate those around you.
In his memory
