"Yisrael, Once They Descend, They Plunge to the Depths" – A Shocking Letter from Hagaon Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch HaKohen Dik, Dayan and Rosh Mesivta of Ohel – Rosh Chodesh Adar 5698
A frightening letter in the handwriting and signature of Hagaon Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch HaKohen Dik zt”l, Dayan and Rosh Mesivta in the illustrious kehillah of Ohel, written on Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5698 [1938], addressed to the Rabbanim of Kuppas Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes in Eretz Yisrael.
In the letter, Rabbi Dik sends a Pidyon Nefesh, requesting that they send a worthy talmid chacham to daven at the Kosel HaMaaravi, in order to plead against a certain wicked individual (whom he refers to explicitly by name and his mother’s name, calling him “Erel”). This evildoer was tormenting a widow and her orphans, and Rabbi Dik begs that he should not succeed in taking the very bread out of their mouths.
The Rabbi:
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch HaKohen Dik zt”l (c. 5632–5704 [1872–1944]) was a distinguished talmid chacham, a disciple of the Shevet Sofer, the Yad Yitzchak of Talchwa, and others. He was a son-in-law of Hagaon Rabbi Shmuel Ze’ev Halevi Jungreis, Av Beis Din of Bonyhád.
In 5655 [1895], he was appointed by Hagaon Rabbi Elazar Löw as a Dayan in the esteemed kehilla of Ohel, where he also headed the yeshiva, raising many distinguished talmidim.
A letter of trembling—a glimpse into the burning pain of a Torah giant at the suffering of a widow and orphans, and his faith in the power of tefillah at the Kosel HaMaaravi.
