by Rabbi Nachman Kahana | Jul 21, 2016
Zimri ben Salu, the prince of the tribe of Shimon, declared publicly before Moshe Rabbeinu and the Sanhedrin of his intention to commit a serious sin with the Midianite princess Kazvi bat Tzur. Pinchas, son of Elazar and grandson of Aharon the Kohen Gadol, entered Zimri’s tent and killed him and the Midianite woman.
Pinchas acted in accordance with the halachic principle that zealots may strike down the sinner, which is in force in limited circumstances – one of which is where a Jew publicly commits such a sin with an idolatrous gentile woman, and may be killed by a proven zealot who seeks only to honor HaShem out of no personal interest.
This halachic principle which stood at the base of Pinchas’ act is problematic.
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.
