by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 18, 2018
Three penniless, unscrupulous Chassidim wanted to be with their rebbe in Lublin for Rosh Hashana, so they devised a plan to raise money for the journey.
They would go to one of the Jewish villages in the area. On arrival one of the three would pose as a great scholar while the other two would announce his presence in the town, inviting anyone in need to come and ask for his blessings.
Yankel was chosen to pose as the tzadik. He was to sit in the synagogue and wait for the simple, believing “clients”. And indeed, they came in search of help for their miseries.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 11, 2018
Contrary to wide agreement in the Social Sciences community that Man’s behavior is formed and directed by his surroundings and upbringing, the Torah states יצר לב אדם רע מנעוריו – the instincts in man’s heart are evil from birth. Meaning: We are all commanded to control and direct our thoughts, intentions and actions in the way HaShem has set down in the Torah, however, everyone is born with tendencies that either abet or hinder in achieving this goal, which is nevertheless achievable.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Mar 14, 2018
Tractate Makot ends with an incident where Rabban Gamliel, R. Elazar ben Azariya, R. Yehoshua and R. Akiva were viewing the devastation on the Temple Mount. The first three rabbis wept while R. Akiva expressed feelings of gladness. When asked to explain, R, Akiva quoted from the prophets that after the destruction will come eternal peace to the holy city. The rabbis exclaimed, “R. Akiva you have comforted us, you have comforted us”.
I underwent a similar experience where several of my rabbinic colleagues were very agitated in the face of a particular incident. I had the opportunity to mitigate their concerns, basing my words on a chapter of the prophets.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Mar 7, 2018
We who cling to HaShem and await the final stage of our redemption all agree that the Medina, enormous as it is, is not the end game of our hopes and aspirations. It is a stage. A great one but only preparation for the future appearance of HaShem through the Mashiach and the dramatic new world we call Olam Haba.
How will HaShem proceed from here?
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Feb 27, 2018
In our parasha, Moshe pleads to comprehend the inner essence of the Almighty. His plea is answered to a degree that no other man had or would ever achieve, although far less than what Moshe intended.
We too thirst for a sign of HaShem’s presence, but too often we are disappointed. However, there were and are times when HaShem does “wink” at his people. It is usually by His awesome timing of world events.
This week we were gifted with a meaningful “wink”.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Feb 13, 2018
HaShem seeks to complete His creation by joining the absolute material world of Am Yisrael with the absolute spiritual world of the Creator – each one providing one half of the equation.
HaShem began the world, but He requires the Jewish people to make its completion through the mitzvot.
