An early handwritten letter, signed by Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaCohen Kook (the Ra’ayah), addressed to attorney Mordechai Eliash, concerning “the outbreak of the kollels turning to secular courts.” Dated: 1 Elul 5681 (August 1921). Written on Rabbi Kook’s official letterhead as Chief Rabbi of Eretz Israel.
In the letter, Rabbi Kook warns against the phenomenon of kollels (Jewish communal funds/institutions) appealing to secular or non-Jewish courts, and writes: “I hereby ask your honor to delay, by all possible means, the outbreak of the kollels turning to secular courts. It is impossible to fathom the repeated insult this causes, especially at such a time…”. He concludes by requesting that Eliash come see him when he is in Jerusalem the following day.
The recipient, Mordechai Eliash [1892–1950], was a prominent attorney, public figure, and diplomat during the pre-state Yishuv and the early years of the State of Israel. He served as Israel’s first envoy to the United Kingdom. Residing in Jerusalem, Eliash became one of the leading lawyers in Mandatory Palestine and chaired the Lawyers’ Association, the precursor of the Israeli Bar Association. A passionate Zionist, he provided legal services to various national institutions, served as legal advisor to the Va’ad Leumi, and represented numerous members of the Haganah. He also served as legal advisor to the Chief Rabbinate. In 1949, he was appointed Israel’s first envoy to Britain, a position he held until his death in March 1950. He was buried at the Sanhedria Cemetery in Jerusalem in a widely attended funeral, with many public figures in attendance.
[1] leaf. 17×13 cm. Very good condition.
