by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jul 13, 2016
The infamous Bilam was greatly inspired by the configuration of the Jewish encampment and its particular way of life, and he called out (Bamidbar 23,9)
From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them (the Jewish nation of the future), a people that dwells apart and is not concerned by the (gentile) nations
An example of Jewish “dwelling apart” was told to me by one of our sons-in-law, who was sent by Tzahal to negotiate a transaction with the German Federal Police, whose headquarters is in the former Gestapo building in Berlin…
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jul 6, 2016
Every tractate of the Babylonian Talmud begins with page 2 (the letter bet). Why?
The reason I suggest is that even one who has studied the entire Talmud has not yet reached the first alef of the “real” Torah. “Real” Torah is not in the beit midrash. It is in the application of what is studied in the beit midrash to the realities of life and the challenges that HaShem places before every Jew and before the collective nation of Am Yisrael.
With Elie Wiesel Z”L, Rabbi Sacks, Former Chief Rabbi of the UK HaRav Michael Mark ZT”L and the young girl Hallel Yaffe Ariel A”H in mind…
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 29, 2016
In contrast to previous grass-root’s rebellions against Moshe, our parasha records a more potentially disastrous rebellion, instigated by Korach and other formidable personalities within the nation.
Korach was one of the four Levites who merited the task of holding the supporting poles of the holy Ark during the nation’s migration to each new encampment.
It is not clear from the text when this rebellion occurred. The suggestions range from before the Mishkan was erected, to after the Miraglim’s (spy’s) sin, to the end of the forty-year sojourn in the desert. It is also not clear what Korach’s claim was, since there were various allegations against Moshe in the text, each one voiced by a different special interest group within the rebellion.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 23, 2016
A short anecdote to introduce this week’s message.
Several days ago, I chanced upon a group of Americans enjoying the Old City’s atmosphere.
As is my habit, I asked them from where they came, and they replied that they were from Texas. “Then we have something in common,” I said. “We both have a single star on our flags.”
They were impressed that an Israeli knew of the ‘Lone Star State’. Then a woman asked me if I was Jewish?
I replied that I am not Jewish…
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 15, 2016
Did you ever consider, why we Jews, the cleverest people on earth, abide by a God-given Torah which no one understands?
We know when to perform the respective mitzvot and how to perform them to the most minute detail, but even the greatest rabbi cannot explain the essence of any mitzva.
Countless numbers of Jews from time immemorial have sacrificed their lives in defense of their right to keep the Torah; yet no one knew why shrimp is prohibited, or why a mikva drives away tuma, or why leavened bread causes the dire punishment of karet on Pesach.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 8, 2016
Sunday of this week, the 28th of Iyar, the citizens of Medinat Yisrael celebrated the 49th anniversary of HaShem’s liberation of Yerushalayim and the Temple Mount from its Arab-Nazi occupiers, through His holy messengers of Tzahal.
I was invited to a celebration at the Almiya Hall situated near the beautiful promenade in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood in the south of Yerushalayim.
Three thousand five hundred years ago, this area witnessed a most significant, even critical, event in the creation of our holy Jewish nation – Akeidat Yitzchak – the binding of Yitzchak.
