Q. I was told by someone that it is forbidden to study the works of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook zt"l. Is this true or is it permitted? And if it is forbidden to study them in general, may one at least look up the quotes in these works attributed to him in the works of halachic decisors, such as Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l?
A. Although some of the opinions of Horav Avrohom Yitzchok HaKohen Kook Zt"l in regards to the interpretation of Geula and the status of the Land of Israel are seen as controversial to those maintained by mainstream Gedoilim of the last and today's generation, there is no disagreement as to the greatness of his Torah erudition and piety. He was backed by Horav Shmuel Salant ZT"l, (Ohr Shlomo p.7), endorsed by Horav I.Z. Meltzer Zt"l (Oz Nid'bru 4, p. 26) and his close relationship with Horav S.Z. Auerbach and his father Horav Chaim Yehuda Leib Zt"l is well known and amply described in Ohr Shlomo (p.10). As a Posek he is widely quoted in contemporary responsa, from Minchas Shlomo (4, p.162) and Tzitz Eliezer (7,48 – 8,31 – 10,41) to Nishmas Avrohom (4,14) et.al.
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that (Chas Vesholom) there is no prohibition on studying the works or quoting Horav Avrohom Yitzchok HaKohen Kook Zt"l.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit"a
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