Rav Simcha Hakohen Kook zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Simcha Hakohen Kook zt”l, chief rabbi of Rechovot. He was 92.

Over the last quarter of a century, Rav Kook turned a largely ceremonial post into an active effort to bridge the gap between the city’s secular and religious residents, thereby raising the level of overall religious observance in the city.

Rav Kook made Rechovot his home decades ago. Back then, only 12 percent of the city’s children were attending religious schools, and the number of kosher food stores could be counted on the fingers of one hand.  At the time, Rav Kook’s brother, Rav Shlomo Kook, served as Rechovot’s chief rabbi. But in 1980, Rav Shlomo Kook was killed in a car accident along with his wife and two of their children.

The position was then offered to Rav Kook, who had been poised to accept a rabbinical position in Tiveria. His brother’s untimely death made him wonder whether he should reconsider that decision. He consulted his rosh yeshiva, Rav Meir Chodosh of Chevron Yeshiva, and Ponovezher rosh yeshiva Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach, who had served as rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Kletzk in Rechovot years earlier, and with whom he was particularly close. Both encouraged him to accept the position in Rechovot.

The rest, as they say, is history.

When he was only seven years old, his father was appointed rov of Tiveria. The family moved to the city of Tiveriah and Rav Simcha was sent to study at the local cheder. When he was only thirteen, he was sent to Yerushalayim to study at the Chevron Yeshiva, which in those days was located in the Geula neighborhood. The rosh yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, Rav Chatzkel Sarna, drew Rav Simcha close.

After his marriage, he learned at the Kfar Haroeh Yeshiva, the Chevron Yeshiva and the Slabodka Yeshiva, and was then called to lead the Merom Mitzion Yeshiva in the Bayit Vagan neighborhood of Yerushalayim.  From there, he was called to lead the Bnei Akiva yeshiva in Netanya. During his time in Netanya, close ties were established between him and the Sanzer community. He became very close to the Shefa Chaim of Sanz.

When his father was niftar, it was only natural that Rav Simcha would take over his position in Tiveriah. But when, as mentioned, his brother passed away in a shocking car accident, the city of Rechovot faced a leadership crisis and Rav Simcha was appointed rov. He also established a yeshiva in memory of his brother on the recommendation of Rav Shach. Yeshiva Maor Hatalmud is now home to more than 500 talmidim.

Rav Kook’s passing leaves a gaping void in the tens of thousands of people he inspired during his lifetime.

Rav Kook is survived by his children, Rav Chaim Kook, Rosh Yeshivas Toras Raphael, Rav Aryeh Kook, Rosh Yeshivas Maor Hatalmud, Rav Ben Zion Kook, menahel of Seminar Alei Be’er, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook of Beit Chilkia, Rav Dov Kook, Mrs. Lezerovitch, wife of Rav Yaakov Lezerovitch, Rosh Yeshivas Chochmas Shlomo in Rechovot, and Mrs. Shifman, wife of Rav Yeshayahu Shiffman zt”l.

Yehi zichro Boruch.

{Matzav.com Israel}