by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 20, 2017
Every morning upon awakening, I recite “Modeh Ani”, and thank HaShem for implanting me and my family in Eretz Yisrael – even after 55 years.
On the 26th of Sivan, Tuesday of this week, my wife and I will celebrate our 55th year since aliyah – 55 incredible years during which we witnessed, and in some way had a part in, the miraculous trek of our nation from galut punishment to Hashem’s embrace and call to Am Yisrael to return home.
Our target time for aliya was June 1962. In December 1961, we were on the east side of Manhattan and passed Ochs Trading Co., the supplier of products for people making aliya. I said to Feiga, “Let’s go in and make our purchases”. She replied, “You mean it’s real?” I answered, “Very real. Here it begins.”
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 12, 2017
As we ascend the ladder of sanctity and Torah erudition, the intellect breaches the bonds of its limitations and one’s mind is merited to enter a higher dimension of understanding.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jun 7, 2017
A few days ago, I received an e-mail from a gentleman living in the galut requesting that I send him my halachic source for obligating one to uproot himself and his family from their comfortable galut life in order to come on aliya.
My answer to him and to many others like his was: I have a wealthy friend who went to a Rolls Royce dealer in one of the major cities in the USA to consider purchasing a deluxe model. As the salesman was explaining the great benefits this car can bring to the owner, my friend inquired, “How is the car on gasoline?” the salesman relied, “Sir if that’s your question then this car is not for you.”
I explained to the person on the other side of the internet that if your question is “where is it written?” then Eretz Yisrael is not for you. Permit me to elaborate on my reply to the gentleman…
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | May 30, 2017
HaShem, in His infinite wisdom, brought about myriads of entities in all the worlds He created.
In the spiritual worlds which are far beyond our experience or comprehension with their innumerable universes and spiritual levels, angels are ranked according to their innate ability to comprehend the infinite Creator. There are the elementary Serafim, and the higher level Ofanim, and the Cha’yot Hakodesh, and many more.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | May 23, 2017
Nature does not relish or encourage imbalance or inequality.
The most elementary atom and molecule achieve stability through their equal number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons. However, when they become positively ionized by losing a negative electron, for example, they readily bond with an atom or molecule which became negatively ionized by losing a positive proton in order to regain stability.
HaShem created nature as a duality of equal parts, which when taken together create uniformity, equilibrium, and symmetry; imbalance in any of nature’s systems creates havoc.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | May 18, 2017
The parasha begins with hilchot (laws of) Shmita and Yovel (Sabbatical and Jubilee years), while emphasizing the point that these halachot were presented to Am Yisrael at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai).
Rashi and other commentators of the Torah, seek, each in their own way, to clarify the emphasis placed on Mount Sinai as being the site where these agricultural laws were presented when, in fact, the whole Torah was presented at Mount Sinai.
My understanding is as follows.
Imagine parents right after bringing their newborn baby home, sitting down to arrange the seating plans for the boy’s wedding. It would seem a bit premature.
