Auction 77
Lot 77:
Collection of 3 broadsides that were published in the 1930s about the polemic of the Yemenite Shochatim of Rishon LeZion and the Rav of the settlement, Rabbi Chaim Zevulun Harlap.
1. Copy of a letter by Maran Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook from Cheshvan 15, 1931, supporting Rabbi Harlap in his struggle against the Yemenite Shochatim and asking him to annouce in public that unless they show him their knives in advance, their Shechita is Asurah. Size: 21X29 cm.
2. Broadside to the community of Rishon LeZion by Maran Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook from Tevet 1934, with words of protest against the insults directed at Rabbi Harlap: "דברים כאלה לא יעשו בישראל, והנני בזה גוער בקצבים הנ"ל, ומבקש את כל הקהל הקדוש והעומדים בראשו להתחזק בכל עז להעמיד את כבוד התורה וכבוד הרבנות על מקומו הראוי לו ולא יוסיפו אנשי עול לפגוע בכבוד האיש המורם מעם, אשר עבודת הקודש של נשיאת דגל דתנו הקדושה היא נתונה על שכמו". At the end, the Rav writes, "ואני תפלה שגם אלה שיצאו מן השורה, יכירו את עותתם ושבו ורפא להם". Size: 23.5X31 cm.
3. Broadside from Elul 9, 1937, to the community of Rishon LeZion by the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel, with a request to accept what Rabbi Harlap had ruled and make peace in the settlement: "ואין שום היתר להסיג גבולו…על דברים שכאלו אמרו לא תתגודדו". Size: 22.5X31.5 cm.
Condiitons vary. Wear to the edges not affecting the text (see pictures).
The polemic of the Yemenite Shochatim of Rishon LeZion: the claims basically focused on the the Yemenite customs of Nikur, which were not accepted by the Ashkenazim since they were based on the Rambam rather than the Shulchan Aruch.
After lengthy discussions and arguments and for political reasons, the leaders of the Rishon LeZion community decided to hire two Yemenite Shochatim, although their Shechitah was still objected to. Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hacohen Kook signed a broadside warning the Ashkenazim of Rishon LeZion not to rely of the Yemenite Nikur and Shechita. The Yemenites, in response, organized a protest rally during which they spoke forcefully against Harav Kook. Meanwhile, the Yemenite Shochatim continued their work and many Ashkenazic residents of Rishon LeZion bought their meat. The city council did not want to become involved in Halachic questions, the Yemenite Shochatim’s work and low prices being most convenient. In 1925, by Harav Kook’s recommendation, Rabbi Chaim Zevulun Harlap, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Harlap’s son, was appointed Rav of the settlement.
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