RAV KOOK ON Behar: Part 2 The Intrinsic Sanctity of the Land of Israel

Rabbi Yaakov David Willowski (1845-1913) of Safed, known as the “Ridbaz,” was one of the most vociferous opponents to the hetter mechirah — the temporary sale of land in Israel to a non-Jew in order to avoid the restrictions of working the land during the Sabbatical year. More interesting than his Halachic objections to the sale, however, is the philosophical argument that the rabbi of Safed raised.