Rabbi Ari Kahn graduated Yeshiva University with a BA in psychology and an MS degree in Talmud. A renowned speaker, he has lectured worldwide. Currently Rabbi Kahn is a Senior lecturer at Aishs Essentials, Fellowships and Executive Learning Center pragrams as well as the Director of the Foreign Student Program for Bar Ilan University. Rabbi Kahn is the author of the recently published book, Explorations, an in-depth analysis of the weekly Torah reading.
Snakes are slithering and sly creatures that instill fear in most people. When God frightens Moses with one, even he recoils in terror. How is this event a re-enactment of the Garden of Eden and what important idea does it come to add? Also hear the metaphysical meanings for the various names of God.
Why were the last three Egyptian plagues split from the first seven? Rabbi Kahn explores Pharoah's role in the crescendo of God's revelation, how he lost his relevance by that stage and the deeper implications of those final punishments. Hear how these plagues put all the puzzle pieces into place for the emergence of our nationhood - and for our future.
Wouldn't you think Pharaoh would be the central focus in each of the plagues? In this week's portion he becomes totally irrelevant. Much bigger things were at stake as each new plague hits. Rabbi Kahn describes each plague and the message we extract from it.
Rabbi Ari Kahn probes issues and events within the weekly Torah portion. His unique insight adds an additional flavor to our familiar Bible stories. Drawing from midrashic and mystical sources, valuable lessons are brought to the surface from cryptic texts. His interesting perspective and inquisitive nature will open yet another door to your weekly parsha experience.
The Jews left Egypt high and happy. Can you imagine their wonder when the Red Sea split right before their eyes and came crashing down right behind them - to vanquish their oppressors? Yet shortly after they began complaining! Rabbi Kahn explains how the Master Educator listens super closely to the nature and tone of our protests, and responds in kind to what we indeed truly need.
The Sages teach that us that one reason we went to exile was to pick up the high souls of non-Jews that have potential for becoming Jewish. Hear what the Torah's deeper attitude is towards gentiles. Join Rabbi Ari Kahn he explores the Torah's portrayal of different non-Jews to show all the parts of the completed puzzle that will eventually fall into place.
Yisro was the ‘Priest of Midian.’ One opinion said he was the top idol worshipper, the other said a very strong leader. And why would Moshe willingly allow his first born son be raised without Jewish training? Then there was the ultimate chutzpah of Amalek’s attack from behind. And what advice did Pharaoh get from his three advisors. One was Bilam who said to exterminate the Jews. The second was Yisro who told Pharaoh he doesn’t stand a chance, and the third was Job, who was neutral, but as a result he was forced to lose everything he had. Why such a heavy judgement?
Upon being offered the Torah, the Jewish nation lovingly responded Na'aseh ViNishma (we will do and we will hear.) We also learn that the Jewish people were practically forced into accepting the Torah. Regarding this is an obscure and cryptic statement by the Vilna Gaon that we almost guarantee to change your life forever.
On Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av, Jewish girls used to dance in the vineyards to attract the young Jewish men into marriage. Such a bizarre practice for a modest Jewish girl to arouse a man’s baser instincts? Listen in as Rabbi Kahn compares this ceremony to the Tabernacle Service - and both to the Revelation at Sinai.
The Torah portion this week deals with the creation of the Tabernacle after we received the Torah at Mount Sinai. How did our sin of the Golden Calf lead to the creation of a sanctuary for God, and how did it contribute towards our becoming a collective whole? Included is a fascinating insight into why there's an equal measure of good and evil in the world.