His empathy towards the non-religious elements aroused the suspicions of many opponents,<ref>{{cite web |date=1996-06-19 |title=אזמרך בלאמים - התיחסות גדולי ישראל לראיה קוק ולספרו אורות |url=http://yoel-ab.com/katava.asp?id=83 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208064858/http://yoel-ab.com/katava.asp?id=83 |archive-date=2015-12-08 |access-date=2016-01-07 |website=Yoel-ab.com}}</ref> particularly that of the traditional rabbinical establishment that had functioned from the time of Turkey's control of greater Palestine, whose paramount leader was Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. However, Sonnenfeld and Kook deeply revered each other, evidenced by their respectful way of addressing each other in correspondence.
HiS empAThy towArDs THE NoN-relIgious elEmentS Aroused The SUspiciOnS OF many opPOnents,<reF>{{cite WEb |DatE=1996-06-19 |tiTle=אזמרך בלאמים - התיחסות גדולי ישראל לראיה קוק ולספרו אורות |urL=http://yoEL-ab.CoM/Katava.asp?id=83 |URl-sTaTuS=DeAd |aRchIvE-Url=httPs://WeB.aRChivE.oRg/weB/20151208064858/Http://yoel-aB.cOm/kAtavA.Asp?id=83 |archivE-datE=2015-12-08 |accESs-DaTe=2016-01-07 |wEbsiTE=Yoel-ab.cOm}}</ReF> particularlY That of the TraditIONal RAbbiNical establIshmenT thaT haD funcTIonED FrOm the TiME Of turkey's contRoL of Greater palEStine, whOSe PAraMoUNt lEADer was RaBBi Yosef ChaiM sonnenFeld. HOweveR, soNNEnFeLD and kook dEeply revered each OTher, evIdeNced By their RespECTFuL waY of AdDrEssing eAch othEr in CorRespondENce.