Lengthy letter (3 leaves, unsigned transcript), on matters of "exploration of faith", by R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. [Jaffa], 12th Tevet 1912.
The body of the letter is a transcript in the distinctive handwriting of R. Tzvi Yehuda Kook, son of R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. The final two lines of the letter (on the third leaf) were completed by R. Kook in his own handwriting: "These are just a drop in the ocean of the great truth… but the word of our G-d shall last forever". The third leaf was cropped after this line. Unsigned.
Fascinating letter containing answers to questions on matters of faith. Response to a disciple, presumably Dr. Moshe Seidel (see below), who sent him previously an agitated letter: "My dear, your precious letter… reached me, and frightened me with your agitation, and since you called to me for help, I felt it my holy duty to answer you immediately, and to prefer your letter to other important ones which arrived earlier. Firstly, I wish to tell you an important rule, my dear, any confusion arising in matters of faith is rooted in superficial understanding…".
To the best of our research, this letter was hitherto unknown and unpublished. The letter was presumably sent to Dr. Moshe Seidel, close disciple of R. Kook (already during his tenure as rabbi of Bauska), who deliberated on matters of faith, and shared his doubts with R. Kook, with whom he shared an exceptionally personal and warm relationship. R. Kook was dedicated to him like a father, and the letters he wrote to him are renowned for their profundity, for their treatment of complex questions on faith and dealing with the spirit of the times.
A different letter was printed in Igrot HaRaayah (II, letter 478), dated 13th Tevet 1912 – a day after this letter was composed. The letter printed there contains completely different content, yet it appears to be a reply to the same letter which Seidel sent R. Kook, in which he apparently expressed great agitation (R. Kook writes to him there: "Your letter, my dear, obviously pained and surprised me…"). One can presume that R. Kook first composed the present letter as a response to Seidel's agitated letter, yet he later reconsidered and formulated a new letter (which was eventually published in Igrot HaRaayah).
[3] leaves (written on one side). First two leaves: 25.5 cm; third leaf: top half only (11 cm). Good-fair condition. Stains. Wear and minor tears.