by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Nov 14, 2013
Though Ya’akov Aveinu returns home triumphantly, as Chazal say – spiritually, physically and materially “whole” – a dark cloud hovers over him as he learns that waiting to greet him in Eretz Yisrael is his brother, Eisav, accompanied by 400 “armed to the teeth” cohorts.
Ya’akov prepares for the fateful meeting of not only two alienated brothers, but of the collision of two ways of life; both which will influence humanity until the end of time.
We find Ya’akov gripped with fear. He devises a three-pronged strategy: to bribe Eisav with gifts, to pray to God, and just to make sure, if these two tactics should fail, Ya’akov divides his loved ones and material wealth into two camps, in the event Eisav destroys one camp, the other will have an opportunity to escape.
Ya’akov is desperate. On this day, his destiny, and that of the Jewish nation, hang in the balance, and tomorrow it will be resolved in the life and death struggle between him and his brother.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Nov 7, 2013
Aisav cannot be Ya’akov any more than Ya’akov can be Aisav. Their dispositions, characters and ambitions are reflections of their souls. Rivka felt this when each child was aroused in her womb – Ya’akov upon passing a place of Torah study and Aisav when passing a place of avoda zara (idolatry).
The dichotomy of Ya’akov and Aisav is clear cut. Ya’akov clings to HaShem through Torah and mitzvot from which he derives his lifeblood of existence, whereas Aisav sees his survival through being able to stalk his prey in the field with his bow and arrows. He has no need for HaShem for he is the master of his own life and future.
At this juncture in our history, each Jew is again faced with the choice to be Ya’akov or Aisav, to pick up the gauntlet of the strong and courageous or to back off from the responsibility of a bechor.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Oct 31, 2013
The Holy One Blessed Be He created Wisdom, Prophecy and the Torah, with each one representing its own approach to sin and the sinner. Wisdom (logic) demands that the sinner who violated the Creator’s will shall suffer in order to attain his atonement. Prophecy lays down death as the prior condition for his atonement. And the Torah requires the bringing of a sacrifice or any of the other punishments present in the Torah such as a monetary fine, flogging, or exile.
When King Shaul had pity on the Amalekite King Agag, the prophet Shmuel killed Agag and informed Shaul that HaShem regretted having appointed him as King of Israel.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Oct 25, 2013
Several months ago, four men from the city of Atlit entered my bet knesset and began talking about the sanctity of Medinat Yisrael and Yerushalayim. They dressed and spoke like the average Israeli and were enthusiastic about their visit to the Old City and the fact that they were part of the kedusha of the Holy City, sitting no more than 100 meters from the place where the Bet Hamikdash once stood and will again stand. For some unexplainable reason, I told them the following…
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Oct 18, 2013
Why did Lot choose the area where such wickedness reigned? Why did Avraham embark on what would appear to have been a military suicide mission? Where was Lot at the time of Avraham’s meeting with the King of Sodom? Why did Avraham say that his next in line was Eliezer of Damascus when Lot was a living flesh and blood relative? Who was Amrafel King of Shinar? Why did Yishmael quietly accept Avraham’s instruction to remain with the donkey and not express a desire to ascend the Mountain with his father and brother?
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Oct 4, 2013
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.”
What saved us then will do so now. The call to arms sounded by Mordechai and the other members of the 120 Anshei Knesset Hagedola (The Great Assembly), in preparation for war with the 127 lands under Persian control, and the battles which were waged on the 13th and 14 of Adar by the Jews who were faithful to HaShem, brought them victory and brought to us the holiday of Purim.
In whose merit and from where will Hashem bring salvation in our times?
