[As related by Rabbi Shimon Glitzenstein, Rav Kook's
personal secretary during his years in London:]
At the time of the aerial bombardments of London during the First World
War, the Jews who lived in the neighborhood of Rav Kook (who was at that
time living in London) took shelter in the cellar beneath the synagogue of
the Machzikei Hadas congregation.
Rav Kook went there as well - against his will, but to keep his family
from worrying. The cellar was claustrophobic and suffocating. Children
wailed and mothers complained. Some of the men gathered around Rav Kook
and began reciting Psalms. As the explosions increased, the recitation of
Palms was interrupted. Those with good voices began to sing loudly in
order to drown out the terrifying sounds. Some people protested, but Rav
Kook encouraged the singers to sing even more loudly.
After several hours, most people had dozed off. But Rav Kook sat in his
place, without a sign of fatigue or emotion. In his hand he held his small
volume of Tanach, and he recited chapter 43 of Psalms, which begins:
I was accustomed to Rav Kook's recital of Psalms when he was alone in
his room. He would say them in a loud voice, with bitter weeping and an
outpouring of the soul. But how different was this recital of Psalms! I
paid no attention to the words, but to the tune with which they were
crowned: completely soulful and soaked with spiritual freshness.
From the depth of his soul, Rav Kook poured forth his murmurs before
his Father in heaven. It was as though the entire Congregation of Israel
was pleading for compassion: "Send Your light and Your truth, they will
guide me. They will bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your dwelling
place."
The Rav was totally focused on his recitation. Even when it was
announced that the danger had passed, he remained oblivious to the tumult
of those gathered there, and continued reciting the chapter to the end.
[R. Glitzenstein, "Mazkir Harav", quoted in
"Shivchei Harayah". Based on translation from ShemaYisrael]
"Judge me, God, and fight on my behalf
against a merciless nation."
Fight On My Behalf Against A Merciless Nation
