The city of Tiveria is still reeling from the sudden passing on Simchas Torah morning of Rav Mordechai Yosef HaKohen zt”l, rosh hakollelim at the tziyun of Rabi Akiva. Yet what has most astonished residents is the extraordinary and mysterious event that unfolded at that very same time in the home of Rav Dov Kook, an incident that many in the city are calling nothing short of miraculous.
According to eyewitnesses, mere moments before news broke of Rav HaKohen’s petirah, Rav Kook suddenly interrupted the joyous hakafos at his beis medrash in the Kiryat Shmuel neighborhood. Without explanation, he asked the assembled crowd to recite the kappitel of “Vihi Noam” — the kappitel traditionally said at levayos and cemeteries.
Only a short while later, word reached the beis medrash that Rav Mordechai Yosef HaKohen zt”l had collapsed in his home in Tiveria early that morning and was rushed to Poriya Hospital, where he returned his pure soul to his Creator at the age of 67.
Rav HaKohen was deeply beloved and admired across the city’s diverse communities. Those close to him recall a man of Torah, humility, and remarkable ahavas Yisroel, who succeeded in uniting all segments of Tiveria with sincerity and grace.
Meanwhile, those close to Rav Kook shared that during the hakafos, the tzaddik stepped out of the main hall and entered his private room. Witnesses report hearing him repeat several times the chilling words: “I tried, but I couldn’t… I tried, but I couldn’t.”
Roughly twenty minutes later, he reemerged, halted the dancing and tefillah, and called upon the entire congregation to recite “Vihi Noam” both forward and backward.
The profound connection between Rav Kook and Rav HaKohen lends deep meaning to this episode. For decades, the two shared a bond of mutual admiration and respect. Rav Kook held Rav HaKohen in the highest esteem for his tireless service to the community, and just six months ago, when Rav HaKohen’s health began to decline, Rav Kook personally visited him for bikur cholim.
Their friendship was well known in Tiveria. Years ago, during a gathering of rabbanim at Rav Kook’s home, Rav HaKohen astonished all present by reciting the blessing “Baruch shechalak mechochmaso lirei’av” over Rav Kook. Those who were there recall Rav Kook trembling from humility upon hearing it, overwhelmed that such a distinguished rov would bestow that brocha upon him.
“the sudden passing” implies that is was like totally unexpected.
However, it also states that “just six months ago, when Rav HaKohen’s health began to decline, Rav Kook personally visited him for bikur cholim.”
So it seems that it may have not been that surprising actually. And maybe R. Kook knew some things others didn’t, like maybe the family tipped him off on Chol Hamoed.