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Even before the bus pulled up to his stop, Tzvi had collected his belongings, and walked down the aisle to the rear door. As quickly as his feet could carry him, Tzvi made his way to the lookout point from which he could actually see the Kotel Hamaaravi. While he longed to actually be able to come close to the sacred stones, Jordanian rule made it impossible. As he stood praying, he begged G-d to restore the holy site to its former glory.
Tzvi clutched the Tehillim in his hand, and headed on to his next destination. Who would have believed that he would soon visit the grave of the author of those very words? As Tzvi approached Kever David, he eagerly thumbed through his Tehillim, searching for a chapter that would adequately convey his feelings at the moment. And then he saw it.
It wasn’t merely the beauty of the silver object that caught his attention. Could it be? It seemed impossible, but the Torah crown that lay before him was crafted in the distinctive style that Tzvi’s father had requested from the silversmith, to adorn the Torah in their synagogue in Poland. Precious memories flooded Tzvi’s mind. He was a young boy, proudly opening the Ark, revealing the Torah scroll inside, graced by the precious crown. He was a young child on his father’s shoulders, clapping his hands and singing joyous Simchat Torah songs, watching the Torah and its crown, being held by a man in the center of the circle.
Gingerly, Tzvi approached the crown. The inscription at its base only confirmed what Tzvi knew already. There was no doubt about it. This crown had somehow survived the war, and had been brought to Israel, and placed here on the monument at Kever David!
Tzvi made some inquiries, and located the people responsible for maintaining the Kever. He informed them that the crown had belonged to his father, and, as such, should be returned to Tzvi.
"I’m terribly sorry" came the reply. "After the war, numerous abandoned sacred objects were taken out of Poland and given to the State of Israel. Therefore, the crown is now the property of the State. Additionally, the crown was dedicated to Kever David and should not be removed from there."
Does the crown belong to Tzvi or to the State of Israel?
Answer of Rabbi Meshulem Roth, zt"l:
There is no need to return the crown to Tzvi. Jewish law clearly states that if a lion or bear come to attack a person’s property, or if the property is about to be lost at sea, and another person rescues the property, the finder of the property does not have to return the object to its original owner. (Bava Metzia 24). The Nazis were certainly even worse than lions and bears, and therefore any object lost as a result of Nazi occupation is considered to no longer be the property of the original owner.
It is true that the Gemara states that, in the case of property lost to a lion or bear, it is meritorious to return the property to its owner. However, in our case, the crown was dedicated in honor of King David, and should not be removed.
However, it is important to note that it is improper to take an object which has served something of a great level of holiness (in this case, a Torah scroll), and use the object in the service of something of a lower level of holiness (in this case, a grave). Therefore, those responsible should remove the crown from Kever David and place it on a Torah scroll.
Answer of Rabbi Ovadia Hadaya, zt"l:
Those in charge are obligated to return the crown to Tzvi. The Jews in Europe did not despair of reclaiming their property. The Nazis wanted to kill the Jews, however, for the most part the Nazis took little interest in the Jews’ property. Additionally, it was not clear who would win the war. The Jews of Europe hoped earnestly that the Germans would lose the war, as actually happened, in the end.
In summary:
According to Rabbi Roth, there is no need to return the crown to Tzvi. According to Rabbi Hadaya, the State is obligated to return the crown to Tzvi.
(Based on responsa in Kol Mevaser, section 1, 57, and V’yaskil Avdi, section 6, 20.)
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
