RAV KOOK ON Elul/ROSH HASHONAH: The Shofar of Redemption

Zalman Shazar, the third president of the State of Israel, was a childhood friend of Rav Kook’s most prominent disciple — Rabbi David Cohen, the Rav HaNazir. Shazar and Rabbi Cohen both relocated to Jerusalem, where they renewed their former friendship. Zalman Shazar described an extraordinary encounter that he witnessed during the month of Elul, the month of reflection and repentance leading up to Rosh Hashanah. When I rediscovered Rav David Cohen in Jerusalem, he was steadily ascending the world of mysticism and silence. One day in Elul, I went to visit him in Rav Kook’s house. It was before the High Holidays, and I wanted to absorb some of his spirit of purity and holiness.