Polemic writings, against the chief rabbi Rabbi Avraham Yitzcahk HaCohen Kook and his books. Especially rare pamphlet and proclamations, due to the confiscation of the majority of the proclamations by the British Mandate prior to their release from the printing press.
1. “Kol HaShofar”, letter banning the book Orot composed by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook. [By the anonymous author, Rabbi Akiva Porush], Elul (1920). [This pamphlet, which was written in harsh and sharp language, spurred a great polemic and protest, see Kedem catalogue, auction 8, item 135]. Including the stamp of the publishers “Va’ad Agudat HaKodesh”. (12 pages, issues uncut, very good condition. Exceptionally rare. The majority of the forms were burnt, most of the remaining ones are missing pages).
2. Notice, “on behalf of the great rabbi, Av-Beit-Din, and leader of the Beit Din Tzedek [Badatz] – as long as Rabbi Meir Ben Malka (Semnitzer) and Rabbi Yosef Ben Fruma (Hoffman) are in prison, it is appropriate that any G-D fearing person pray for their protection”. Bears the stamp of the Badatz of Rabbi Sonnenfeld: “Beit Din Tzedek for all Ashkenazi congregations, Holy City of Jerusalem”. [Rabbi Meir Semnitzer and Rabbi Yosef Hoffman were imprisoned, following their publishing of Kol HaShofar and Kol Gadol pamphlets opposing Rabbi Kook. 1922].
3. “Olam Choshech VeTzalmavet”, harsh proclamation against “that person… who is referred to as rabbi”, who participated in the gathering of the apostates. It also presents quotes from his speech at the dedication of the Hebrew University. Tevet (1933). Bibliographically unknown.
4. “Notice and severe warning, on behalf of the great rabbis of the Badatz” – notice against “the writing, a product of a despicable person who spoke out against the Av-Beit-Din and leader, and regarding the newspaper Kol Israel published by Agudat Israel, which is filled with falsehood… and after verifying that the writing was approved by Amram son of Shlomo Yitzchak Blau, the chief editor of Kol Israel, and Ya’akov son of Moshe Blau… who are guilty of the transgression of disgracing a Torah scholar…”. 6 Shvat (1933). Signature of the Badatz [Beit Din of Rabbi Frank and Rabbi Mintzberg].
5. “Clarification regarding the misconduct of the Jerusalemite Association” – proclamation in the same matter, against Rabbi Amram Blau and his brother Rabbi Moshe Blau: “I am an eyewitness to the large gathering of… great rabbis… G-D fearing Torah giants. And according to their findings they excommunicated… and they decreed not to support the Kol Israel newspaper…”. [1933].
Various sizes and conditions, good condition.
From Dr. Israel Mehlman’s private collection.