About the Author

Rabbi Ari Kahn


Rabbi Ari Kahn graduated from Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology, an MS degree in Talmud, and rabbinic ordination where he studied with Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. He is Director of Foreign Student Programs at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, and a senior lecturer in Jewish studies. Rabbi Kahn is Vice President of Migdal Ohr Institutions in Israel, and a senior educator at the Aish HaTorah College of Jewish Studies. He has published two books, Explorations on the weekly parsha, and Emanations on the Jewish holidays. Rabbi Kahn combines the mystical explorations of kabbala and chassidism with psychology, literature and Jewish history for a broad-minded approach to Torah study. He has lived in Israel since 1984 with his wife Naomi and their five children.
Out of the Comfort Zone

Out of the Comfort Zone

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

Understanding Sukkot as the pure holiday of joy.

Goat for Azazel

Goat for Azazel

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

In the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Yom Kippur had two unusual rituals in Jewish life: The entrance of the High Priest into the Holy of Holies, and the selection of twin goats. What's behind all this?

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

After taking another man's life, a petty criminal changes the direction of his life.

Purim and the Masks We Wear

Purim and the Masks We Wear

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

The deeper meaning behind dressing up in costumes on Purim.

Why Kiss the Mezuzah?

Why Kiss the Mezuzah?

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

How the mezuzah provides a daily connection to spirituality.

Be Strong -

Be Strong - "Chazak"

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

With the parsha of V'Zot HaBracha the Torah reaches its conclusion. While the vast majority of the parsha records Moshe's final blessings to each of ...

Listen and Hear: Heaven and Earth

Listen and Hear: Heaven and Earth

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

In Parshat Ha'azinu, Moshe speaks in song. In what may sound like no more than a poetic turn of phrase, Moshe addresses heaven and earth: Listen, ...

Gather the People

Gather the People

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

As Moshe's speech draws to an end, he addresses some of the practical, pragmatic issues at hand; one such item is the issue of succession: And ...

An Old Ode to Joy

An Old Ode to Joy

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

There is an interesting subtext to this week's parsha, a concept that links what at first glance seem to be independent and unrelated teachings. The ...

Of Love and Hatred

Of Love and Hatred

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

Parshat Ki Tetzei is teeming with mitzvot, many of which are concerned with family and relationships. One such mitzvah deals with prioritizing ...

Trees Are People Too (?)

Trees Are People Too (?)

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

The book of Devarim contains many laws that concern the collective; laws of kings, prophets and war. As the Israelites stand poised on the borders ...

Eat To Your Heart's Desire

Eat To Your Heart's Desire

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

As the Jews stand on the east bank of the Jordan River, Moshe again warns them against following pagan practices. The people are instructed to focus ...

The Little Things

The Little Things

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

As Moshe continues his soliloquy, after revisiting some of the major catastrophes that befell the people in the desert, he warns the people against ...

Why Couldn't Moshe Enter the Land of Israel?

Why Couldn't Moshe Enter the Land of Israel?

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

Parshat Vaetchanan starts with a prayer - Moshe's plea that he be permitted to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land: And I pleaded with ...

Og

Og

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

To a large extent, the book of Dvarim is a retrospective of events and laws taught in previous sections of the Torah. For this reason, the book is ...

Half of Menashe

Half of Menashe

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

As the Book of Bamidbar comes to an end, preparations for the conquest and settlement of the Land of Israel come to the fore. The Land must be ...

Pinchas and Zimri: The Anatomy of an Argument

Pinchas and Zimri: The Anatomy of an Argument

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

Sometimes, biblical stories are complex or densely and intricately woven; other times, the storyline seems straightforward, morally unequivocal, ...

Friends and Family

Friends and Family

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

In Parshat Balak, a catastrophe is narrowly averted: A professional hit-man of sorts is hired to curse the People of Israel. In the end, his ...

The Ultimate Battle: Morality

The Ultimate Battle: Morality

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

As Parshat Chukat begins, the Jews have moved away from Mount Sinai and begun their trek to the Promised Land. The path would not be a simple one, ...

Perfidy

Perfidy

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

While the story of the rebellion of Korach is well known, the very idea of a rebellion against Moshe seems strange to us. Moshe was surely the ...

Of Spies and Men

Of Spies and Men

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

The main episode which takes place in Parshat Shelach is the story of the men sent by Moshe to scout the land. Although these men are referred to in ...

Moshe, Miriam and Prophecy

Moshe, Miriam and Prophecy

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

At the end of Parshat B'ha'alotcha a short episode is recounted, an episode that seems a private family matter of sibling intrigue: And Miriam ...

A Divine Encampment

A Divine Encampment

by Rabbi Ari Kahn

The Book of Bamidbar, and the parsha which gives it its name, begins with a census. Apparently, this is in preparation for the march from Sinai to ...