Rabbi Shlomo Kook, the chief rabbi of Rehovot and four members of his family who were killed in an automobile accident last night, were buried today on the Mount of Olives following funeral services in Rehovot and Jerusalem. More than 5,000 persons followed the funeral procession, among them Cabinet ministers and Israel’s Ashkenazic and Sephardic chief rabbis. The deceased rabbi was a relative of the famous late Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yitzhak Hacohen Kook.
Rabbi Kook, 42, his wife Yehudith, 40, their sons Menahem, 10, and Nahman, 3, and a relative, Barouch Azolai of Jerusalem, were killed when their car was hit by a train at a railroad crossing near Houlda. Their daughter was seriously injured. The management of the State-owned railway has ordered an investigation. The crossing has a warning bell and lights but no protective gate. Rabbi Kook’s car, a French Peugeot, was hurled about 30 yards by the collision.
Rabbi Kook was born in Jerusalem and was graduated from the Petach Tikva Yeshiva. He served in the Israel Army with the rank of Captain and later headed the Gateshead Yeshiva in England and another Yeshiva in South Africa. He was appointed Chief Rabbi of Rehovot four years ago. His wife was a lecturer at Bar Ilan University and author of a book.
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