Friday Night with the Rebbe’s Chozer

Gimmel Tammuz Special: Late Friday night, I walk the quiet streets of Crown Heights. Families are sitting around their Shabbos tables; the sounds of clatter and song drift from open windows on this cool night. I am making my way to the home of Harav Yoel Kahan, or Reb Yoel, as he is known. Each Friday night, he spends precious time with his students – who are like children to him – during the Shabbos meal.

I am greeted by Rebbetzin Leah Kahan. “You made it! I hope that you find something to write about,” she says simply.

Around a very large table, and on the adjacent couches and chairs, sit over three dozen bachurim. Rebbetzin Kahan, an elderly but energetic woman, prepared a large feast, serving several types of chicken and side dishes. There is enough for everyone. There are no more chairs left for me in the room, so I find a spot to stand and listen. Between bites, the students at the table debate a passage of Tanya.

Reb Yoel is sitting at the head of the table, and his face is plastered with a big smile as he basks in his students’ discussions. The chemistry permeating the room, between teacher and students, is based on mutual love and admiration. Their affinity for each other is evident in the eye contact, comfort and respect both parties demonstrate.

In this intimate setting, the students are free to ask questions. They speak about Zionism, politics and Rabbi Dr. Chaim Zimmerman. Reb Yoel can eloquently converse about all the above without particularly caring about Zionism, politics or the controversy surrounding Rabbi Dr. Zimmerman.

Reb Yoel tells a story. “In 1973, the Rebbe discovered that a politician would be including the Lag Ba’Omer parade as a stop on his political campaign. The Rebbe responded that he would not attend the parade, as he did not want to be seen as an endorser of the politician’s campaign.”

He tells another story. “There was a group who wanted all gedolim to sign one kol korei against Zionism (though no one knows how they would all agree on the wording). The Satmar Rebbe asked, ‘Do you want to create World War III?’ The Rebbe responded, ‘Do you think Moshiach is here, when the lion will lay with the lamb?’” In essence it is the same response, however, Reb Yoel says, the difference is in the way they stated why they would not join the proclamation.

Reb Yoel then tells a story about Rabbi Dr. Zimmerman. “He was a great Talmid Chochom, though a little eccentric. Once, he came to the Rebbe’s aide and told him that he was greatly excited about a letter he just received from the Rebbe. The Rebbe had written a response to Rabbi Zimmerman’s  writings on Gemara Kodshim. Rabbi Zimmerman said, ‘The Rebbe encapsulates the entire Gemara Kodshim in half a page.’”

At one o’clock in the morning, Reb Yoel stands to leave the table, and all follow suit. They depart in deep thought, enriched and enlivened by their encounter with Reb Yoel.

An excerpt from a lengthy interview with Reb Yoel.