by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 13, 2020
Moshe presents HaShem with the boldest request from a humble human being to the Ultimate Entity (Shemot 33, 18):
Show me Your full glory (Your essence)
And HaShem replied:
You cannot see My face for no man can do so and live
The Gamara (Brachot 7a) quotes the tanna Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Korcha who explains:
HaShem replied to Moshe, “When I was willing to let you glance at some of My glory you turned your face away (at the Burning Bush), now that you are willing to experience it I am not.
When there is an opportunity to perform a mitzva do not turn it into chametz (by delaying its performance until its time has passed).
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 7, 2020
In the midst of this terrible Covid 19 plague when the Angel of Death reaps his daily harvest of in the thousands the world over, where is the discernable “silver lining” where the Jews in the holy land can say “All that HaShem does is for the best”?
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 7, 2020
Yossi knew the hill well; he had been there several times in the past year. It was sarcastically called a “bunker,” but in reality, it was nothing more than a fox hole large enough for four soldiers. Their assignment was to track terrorist movements and destroy them on contact. It was tolerable except when it rained, which caused the bottom of the hole to be soggy and muddy. But today the four hoped that it would rain, even though chances were small since it was late in the season. On the 14th of every Hebrew month the moon is full, which presents a greater danger when crossing into enemy territory; so, rain would be a mixed blessing.
At 5 PM, they were given the necessary arms and ammunition. In addition, the army rabbinate had provided them with 4 plastic containers each holding 3 matzot and all the ingredients necessary for a seder, as well as 4 plastic bottles of wine, sufficient for 4 cups, and of course a Haggadah.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Apr 1, 2020
On the 5th of Iyar 5708 (May 14, 1948) a great knock was heard on the entrance door to our spiritual and national redemption. A small number heard it and rushed to renew the ancient love between Creator and his chosen Creation. But the many moaned, “I have just retired for the night. I have washed and removed my day clothing. How can I rise to dress again, now must I soil my clean feet on the dusty floor? And by the time the beloved wife reached the door, her searching husband had resolved that she would not answer his call and left in profound disappointment.
This needs no explanation.
So, what should the Jews in the galut do?
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Mar 25, 2020
Life in a modern Gan Eden. High-end restaurants, sport arenas, ski trips to Bulgaria, shiny new cars, upgraded hotels, glatt kosher of course. Pesach in Thailand, no gebrochts, and nothing less than matza shmurah the whole holiday, going to the mall to get rid of excess money, a trip to Israel to say “hello and goodbye” to the Kotel, financial plans with total expectations that they will be fulfilled, weddings to impress. PARADISE LOST.
by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Mar 18, 2020
The present year is תש”פ (780 or 5780) the acrostic of the first two letters reads תהא שנת (this year shall be), but what about the last letter פ?
It can stand for the word por’onoot (catastrophe) or pidyon (redemption). I see por’onoot for the enemies of Am Yisrael and redemption for HaShem’s loyal children in Medinat Yisrael.
At this time of world crises, I have three messages: one for the gentile (non-Jewish) world, one for the Jews of the US and one for us in the holy land.
