Yoel Kahan
Rabbi Yoel Kahan (left) seated on the dais along with Rabbi Yisroel Friedman (right)
Born(1930-02-14)February 14, 1930
Moscow, Soviet Union
DiedJuly 15, 2021(2021-07-15) (aged 91)
OccupationRabbi
Known forChoizer of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Reb Yoel Kahan (February 14, 1930 – July 15, 2021) was a senior Chabad rabbi, who served as the leading hoizer and meiniach for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.[1] His position as leading choizer and meiniach made him the default authority on the Rebbe's teachings and one of the most universally recognized scholars of general Chabad Chassidic doctrine.

Early life

He was born in Moscow, on February 14, 1930.[2] He was the youngest of four children born to Refoel Nachman and Rivkah (Davidson) Kahan.[3] His father studied in the original Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim, in the town of Lubavitch, White Russia and authored Shemu'os VeSippurim an authoritative and multi-volume compilation of historical accounts and anecdotes, culled from the traditions handed down by reliable Chassidim of earlier generations and his own experiences.

In 1935 Kahan emigrated to Mandatory Palestine together with his family, and studied in Yeshiva "Achai Temimim" in Tel Aviv under the tutelage of the Mashpia Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook. During his teen years he also studied privately with the Mashpia Rabbi Moshe Gourarie. He also knew and was influenced by Rabbi Nochum Goldshmidt and to a lesser degree, by Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman.[4][5]

Arrival in New York

In 1950 Kahan traveled to New York in order to continue his studies at the central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. At the time 770 was also the home and synagogue of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, the sixth Rebbe of Chabad, and Kahn expected to be able to meet R' Schneersohn, whose teachings he had studied all his life. However, when he finally arrived in New York by sea it was too late, the man who was to become known as "the Previous Rebbe" had already died.

Kahan remained in New York and soon became attracted to the teachings of Schneersohn's younger son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who eventually became the seventh Rebbe of Chabad.

In 1954 he married Leah Butman.[6]

For decades Kahan served as Schneerson's main choizer, repeater.[7] He would listen to the talks and then, after consultation with colleagues, repeat the talks to the Hasidim to transcribe them for print.[8]

He served in this role from the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership in 1950 until the Rebbe's death in 1994.

Following Schneerson's death, he continued to serve as the senior Mashpia in the central Lubavitcher yeshiva at 770 Eastern Parkway.[9] He was referred to familiarly amongst Chabad Chasidim as Reb Yoel.[10]

Death

Kahan died on July 15, 2021.[11] He had no children.[1]

Works

  • Biurim U'Pninim on Tanya (HaMa'or She'baTorah)
  • Sefer Ha'Erchim (main editor and compiler - Kehot)
  • Nos'im BaChassidut (Eishel-Kfar Chabad)
  • Mahutam Shel Yisroel (Heichal Menachem)
  • Shiurim BeTorat Chabad (Ma'ayanotecha)
  • HaModaim B'Chassidut (Ma'ayanotecha)
  • Sugyot B'Chassidut (Ma'ayanotecha)
  • Shiurim Al Sha'ar Yichud V'Ha'Emuna (Ma'ayanotecha)
  • Nos'im BaYahadut (tape series)
  • Machshevet haChassidut (The philosophy of Chassidut, 2 volumes)

References

  1. 1 2 "Rabbi Yoel Kahn, leading student of Lubavitcher Rebbe, passes away". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  2. ↑ "Rav Yoel Kahan zt"l". Matzav.com. July 15, 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  3. ↑ Berger, Joseph (26 July 2021). "Rabbi Yoel Kahan, Oral Scribe for the Grand Rabbi, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Reb Yoel Celebrates 90". Anash.org. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rabbi Yoel Kahn, 91, Oral Scribe and Leading Disciple of the Rebbe". Chabad.org News. 15 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Scarr, Cindy (2021-07-20). "The Sweetest Taste". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  7. ↑ The empty chair, Neta Sela, Yediot Aharonot, February 7, 2007.
  8. ↑ Margolin, Dovid (10 October 2019). "The Heart and Soul of the Rebbe's Teachings, in English". Chabad.org News. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Rabbi Yoel Kahn, Hasidic scholar who preserved Lubavitcher rebbe's words, dies at 91". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  10. ↑ "Petira Of Hagaon HaRav Yoel Kahan ZT"L, Chief "Choizer" Of The Lubavitcher Rebbe". The Yeshiva World. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Reb Yoel Kahn, 91, AH". Anash.org. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
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