Historic Top Hat of Rabbi Herzog, First Chief Rabbi of Israel, Sold at Auction for $1,125
A unique piece of Jewish history was recently sold at auction in Jerusalem: the distinguished top hat worn by Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac HaLevi Herzog, zt”l, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel. The auction, held at Winner’s Auction House this past Sunday, concluded with the hat being sold for $1,125, reflecting both its historical and spiritual significance.
The hat was crafted by the renowned London-based company Scott & Co, which has long been known for its refined craftsmanship and has served the British royal family among other prominent figures. It is noteworthy that this same company also produced hats worn by figures such as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Despite its age, the hat remains in excellent condition. Made of high-quality felt, it retains its elegant shape and dignified presence. The crown is encircled by a black ribbon with a bow, and the inner lining is silk, proudly bearing the imprint of its maker.
Rabbi Herzog, born in 1888, was a towering Torah figure and communal leader. After receiving semicha in 1908 from illustrious rabbanim, including Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and the Ridbaz, he served as Chief Rabbi of Ireland. In 1936, following the petirah of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook, zt”l, Rabbi Herzog was called to Eretz Yisrael to serve as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi. He led the community through challenging times, including the turbulent years before and during World War II.
Throughout these years, Rabbi Herzog was a passionate advocate for Klal Yisrael. He used his influence to call upon world leaders to intervene on behalf of European Jewry during the Holocaust, including appeals to Pope Pius XII and various governments. After the war, Rabbi Herzog played a crucial role in locating and rescuing Jewish children who had been hidden in monasteries and Christian homes to save them from Nazi persecution. His heartfelt efforts to reclaim these children to their people and heritage are remembered as a profound chapter in modern Jewish history, symbolizing the deep commitment to every Jewish soul.
With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Rabbi Herzog was appointed as the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the young state. He was entrusted with addressing complex halachic and communal questions during those foundational years, including matters relating to conversion, marriage, the observance of Shmita, and the overall status of Torah law within the state framework.
Rabbi Herzog’s legacy extends to his family as well. His son, Chaim Herzog, later became Israel’s sixth president, and his grandson, named after him, Yitzhak (Isaac) Herzog, serves today as Israel’s eleventh president. This continuity reflects the family’s longstanding dedication to both Torah and public service.
The sale of Rabbi Herzog’s hat is not merely a transaction of an item of clothing but a rare opportunity to connect with a chapter of recent Jewish history that embodies leadership, mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), and the ongoing struggle to uphold Jewish identity and Torah values in a rapidly changing world. The hat stands as a testament to the dignity and steadfastness of a Gadol b’Yisrael who shepherded Am Yisrael through some of its most trying moments.