Orot Ha'Kodesh by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Ha'Cohen Kook - First Edition with the Illustrated Title Page - Dedication ...

Orot Ha'Kodesh by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Ha'Cohen Kook - First Edition with the Illustrated Title Page - Dedication by the Editor the "Nazir" to his Friend Rabbi Botschko who Introduced the "Nazir" to Rabbi Kook!
The book Orot Ha'Kodesh, by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Ha'Cohen Kook. Edited by his disciple Rabbi David Cohen the "Nazir". Jerusalem, 1938. First edition. Two volumes.
Before us is an extremely rare copy, with the original illustrated title page, which was made according to the Nazir's instructions. At the beginning of the second volume, the editor's dedication to his friend Rabbi Eliyahu Botschko, who introduced the author - Rabbi Kook, to the editor - the "Nazir".

At the end of the second volume, the words of the "Nazir" appear: "the printing of the book lasted four years. The first half [was printed] in the Rabbi's lifetime…" Then there are two thank-you letters by the "Nazir", thanking those who assisted in the editing and printing of the book.

Rabbi David Cohen (1887–1972) "Ha'Rav Ha'Nazir” (The Nazirite Rabbi) was a rabbi, Talmudist, philosopher, and kabbalist. He met Rabbi Kook in Switzerland and immigrated to the Land of Israel after him, to be his disciple and editor of his great book "Orot Ha'Kodesh".
Ha'Rav Ha'Nazir was a noted Jewish ascetic. He took a Nazirite vow at the outbreak of the World War I, avoiding the drinking of wine and eating of meat and not cutting his hair his whole life.

The dedication to the "Matchmaker"
When he was a young man in his twenties, Rabbi David Cohen lived in Basel, Switzerland for approximately seven years. During this time, he studied Torah and Kabbalah, taught Torah lessons and studied philosophy at the University of Basel.
Despite all these occupations, he felt restless and dissatisfied. He corresponded with Torah scholars on various issues related to Torat Ha'Nefesh and the existence of the world; however, their responses did not satisfy him. He searched for an orderly doctrine for worshipping God. Those days, he befriended Rabbi Eliyahu Botschko (the future founder and head of the "Et zChaim" yeshiva in Switzerland). Rabbi Eliyahu found out that Rabbi Kook was visiting St. Gallen, Switzerland. He believed Rabbi Kook could help the young man, answer his religious questions and help his troubled mind. He suggested that Rabbi David Cohen Meet with Rabbi Kook. Rabbi David Cohen indeed met with Rabbi Kook, and this is what he recalled of the meeting: "I became another man. I found more than I had prayed for. I found myself a Rabbi". From then on, the "Nazir" used to call Rabbi Botschko "My Matchmaker".
This initial meeting led to the wonderful relationship between the Rabbi and his disciple and to the editing of the book "Orot Ha'Kodesh" which presents Rabbi Kook's philosophical doctrine.
Before us is the copy of "Orot Ha'Kodesh" which the editor, the "Nazir", had given to his friend, Rabbi Botschko, whom thanks to him the book was born!

At the beginning of the book, there is a note with a warm dedication in the handwriting of the "Nazir': "B"H, Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan 5799 (1939), Jerusalem. To my friend … Rabbi Botschko Shalita, a gift of Orot Ha'Kodesh for the he who made the match between myself and Or Ha'Orot (Rabbi Kook)… from his friend …."

The uniqueness of the copy with the illustrated title page
Unlike all the other books of Rabbi Kook that were printed, the Nazir decided to print an illustrated title page at the beginning of "Orot Ha'Kodesh". He explained that "it has value of itself. The illustration artistically expresses the content of the book". Among others, the illustration depicts the Western Wall, the walls of Jerusalem and the Golden Menorah. The illustrator: S. Bernstein. The Nazir added: "when I showed Rabbi Kook the title page - he smiled and shed tears". That is, he agreed with the idea of an illustrated title page. 1000 copies of the book were printed in this edition.
Indeed, the illustrated title page of most of the copies had not survived. In a special meeting of the "Association for Publishing Rabbi Kook's Writings", whose members were Ha'Nazir, Rabbi Zvi Yehudah Kook, Rabbi Shalom Nathan Ra'anan and Rabbi Dov Kook, a heated debate took place regarding the question whether to continue to distribute the books with the illustrated title page and whether to continue to print it in following editions. One of the reasons given not to print the illustrated title page was that "Judaism does not believe in graphic symbols".

Eventually, the Nazir suggested a compromise: "Since Rabbi [Kook] saw it, I suggest it be left in some of the books designated for regular sale and take it out of those copies that are designated for subscribers". The chairman of the Association agreed to the compromise according to which only 200 copies will be left of the books with the illustrated title page; while in all the other copies of this edition, the illustrated title page will be replaced by a regular title page (text only) as in all other books by Rabbi Kook.
However, the chairman also announced that "he could not recommend the distribution of the 200 copies". That is, these rare copies were never sold but given by the Nazir and the other members of the Association to their friends and relatives (Source: "The Protocols of Mossad Ha'Rav Kook", Sinai, Booklet 126).

Section A: 284 pp.
Section B: [4] 293-660 [4].
17x24 cm.
The size of the note with the dedication: 8.5x12 cm.
Condition: Excellent.