I was reading this Shabbat in Kovetz al Yad 17:27 an introduction by Simcha Emmanuel to his article publishing for the first time several responsa of Geonim that were in the Avraham Firkovich collection at the St. Petersburg Royal Library. I would like to share a few snippets.
Abraham (Avraham) ben Samuel Firkovich (Hebrew אברהם בן שמואל - Avraham ben Shmuel; (1786-1874) was a famous leader of the Karaite who had a fabulous collection of old manuscripts which were taken over by the St. Petersburg library after his death. In 1877, the great scholar Avraham Elyahu ben Yaakov Harkavy (1835–1919) became the head librarian for the Judaica department. Harkavy was known as a Maskil and had misgivings about how accepted his efforts at publishing these manuscripts would be in the circles that could use those most - the world of the Yeshivot. In one of the early publications in scholarly journals, the editor noted that Doctor Harkavy, out of love of the Torah and its scholars has felt responsible to publish these hitherto unknown responsa of the Geonim. Should the Rabbinical population appreciate his work he promises to continue publishing many more manuscripts.
The enthusiastic response of the rabbinical world did not take long to come. Of note is a letter written in 1888 by the great Gaon Aderet, Rabbi Elyahu David Rabinowitz – Teumim, who was also the father in law of Rav Kook and later Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. I will paraphrase/translate the letter.
The scholar Dr. Harkavy of Petersburg wants to know if the Rabbis will support his publishing responsa from the early Geonim. I do not understand the question especially coming from such a great, well-known and recognized scholar? Did not the Rabbis say that the nails of the early ones are greater than the stomach of the later generations? One single drop of ink of one of our early rabbis is as valuable as the multitudes of the pilpulim of the later ones especially nowadays… Of course, we must accept with love the incomparable precious hidden pearls that he is taking them from darkness to eternal light, to bring merit to the many. It is to their beacon of light that we will go forward. It is only up to the Rabbi, the pride of the Maskilim, the great Rabbi Dr. Harkavy, with his great wisdom and knowledge, to verify that they were not yet published. We can rely on his great powers of critical analysis and sharp vision to know if these were not yet quoted in the Rishonim or Beit Yosef… Those that were not yet published we will accept them and drink with thirst their beautiful words. We will remember the name of Dr. Harkavy as a meritorious person who has brought us merits, him being a person that is involved with the work of heaven. This is my opinion and I estimate that many of my colleagues will agree with me.
I hope my blog does not have the same fate that “Making of a Gadol” had because I disclose how different the great of the pre war generation were. (Maybe I should wish to suffer the same fate. My readership will soar) Of course, they disagreed with the philosophy and modus operandi of the Maskilim. However, even a right wing Gadol like the Aderet, who was the head of the Edah Chareidit, who castigated Rav Kook constantly, would still deal respectfully with a Dr. Harkavy.
Harkavy went on to publish many Geonic Responsa that with time penetrated the world of torah and the Yeshivot.
As an aside, the Aderet wrote an autobiography which was published by Mossad Harav Kook under the title Seder Elyahu. It is a fascinating and worthwhile read. Rav Kook also wrote a biography/appreciation of his father in law called Eider Hayakar. Much heavier but also a fascinating read.
" However, even a right wing Gadol like the Aderet, who was the head of the Edah Chareidit, who castigated Rav Kook constantly, would still deal respectfully with a Dr. Harkavy."
ReplyDeleteThis implies that the Aderes himself castigated his son in law constantly, which was not the case. On the contrary, they loved each other greatly.
The Aderes was Rav in Yerusholayim before Rav Kook settled there and before he became as prominent (and consequently, a lightning rod for certain sects) as he later became.
>On the contrary, they loved each other greatly.
ReplyDeleteTaht did not stop them from having disagreements. But you are right I should have not used the word "castigated".
"I hope my blog does not have the same fate that “Making of a Gadol” had because I disclose how different the great of the pre war generation were. (Maybe I should wish to suffer the same fate. My readership will soar)"
ReplyDeleteHow can your blog be banned ? If they hold internet bichlal is ossur, a sepcific blog can be banned too ? What about 'ein issur chal al issur' ?
*specific
ReplyDeleteFollowing Avraham Firkovich's death, Harkavi forged on the behalf of rabbis some of the documents the former had collected -- the most important in his collection. Harkavi himself later admitted to committing the forgeries.
ReplyDeleteOften in history Gedolim have made use of contrversial texts. it is often their followers - the ketanim that make the bigger stink about it
ReplyDeleteWe know Chassam Sofer Read Moses Mendelsohnn - regardless of his opinion of his methods. The closed mindedness about such issues was more for the underlings.
In a yeshiva in Mattesdorf they prohibited Rambam and Nach. of course what did the boys learn on their own time? Rambam and Nach.
Like being "Banned in Boston", certain rules were destined to have a backfire effect.
The Litvishe and other Rabbonim were more liberal before they were assiciated with the Eidah. This includes Rav Weiss, R. Moshe Shternbuch and others. What the Adderes did while in Russia, he would never do in Yerushalayim.
ReplyDeleteYou should make as much money on your blog as the owners of copies of The Making of a Godol made when that was banned.