Interview with Rav Aryel Nachman ben Chaim
Monday, June 17, 2013
Rabbi Aryel Nachman is a good friend of mine whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and conversing with for some time. It is my desire to feature various people who are doing and interesting work in Judaism and Rav Aryel of course came to mind. A description of who this Rav is and the work he does is taken from his website:
Rabbi Aryel Nachman is a lecturer, storyteller, cartoonist, author and performer. He has lectured at schools on the Shoah (Holocaust); conducted services and life-cycle events for small Jewish communities; lectured on Jewish traditions and customs to church groups; given talks on humor and religion and cartooning as a means to understanding how G-d works in this world.
Aryel Nachman is the co-creator and artist of the Jewish comic strip, 4 Corners. He is also the author of Zeyde and the Hidden Mine, along with numerous short stories.
In his secular career, Aryel Nachman has spent over 20 years in the private sector as a trainer and consultant to companies across the US on compliance to international management systems requirements, environmental management systems and laboratory system. He is also an Emergency Management Specialist with 11 additional certifications from FEMA and DHS. He is recognized as an expert on disaster/emergency management planning and has written multiple articles on the subject.
Rav Aryel also has an online synagogue for people who are disconnected from a Jewish community. In the spirit of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov it is called the House of Seven Beggars and broadcasts Shabbat services, weekly Torah studies and a puppet story time. You can learn more from his web site at: http://sevenbeggars.com/
1.) Tell us about what you feel your greatest purpose and work is in this life…
That is a BIG question! Personally, my greatest work in life has to do with writing. I have been blessed to be able to write stories that people seem to like and find inspiring. I turned that talent to writing stories that for adults and children to educate entertain and, hopefully, draw them closer to HaShem. My greatest purpose is a little more difficult to define because I have not fully defined it myself. Of course, I am here in this transmigration to continue the perfection of those sparks that comprise this soul; in other words, to learn those lessons and to accomplish those tasks to that end. Beyond that, I will leave that to the following generations to determine.
2.) What are your current thoughts concerning Judaism? Do you feel Judaism is progressing in a positive manner?
Judaism is like a quilt that is made up of many pieces: Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Chassidic, Sephardic, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, just to name a few. Each one speaks to a place that that person is in that moment of their lives. Some will stay in that place, others will move from one to the next to find their level. This is as it should be. Life is for learning and growing.
I would like to see all Jews become Torah observant, but that is not my place. There are elements within Judaism that are destructive, in the aspect of Korach, just as there has been throughout our history. There are well meaning elements that have erred, in the aspect of Miriam, that cause confusion. Suffice it to say, we are not perfect; if we were, there would be no reason for us to be in the corporal existence. I take the position expounded by Rabbi Joseph Soliveitchik (zt”l) who looked at all of Judaism in the aspect of the narrative of the Akedat Yitzchak in Bereshit 22: 5 And Abraham said unto his young men: 'Abide here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship, and come back to you.' (See: The Rav Speaks). We journey with all Jews, but there comes a point where we must separate company for a while with the promise to return and continue the journey.
3.) What do you feel is Judaism’s role in the context of greater humanity?
I think Judaism’s role in the world can be summed up thus: Psalm 92: 13 The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
These two trees represent two forms of righteousness. The cedar in Lebanon represents leading by example: Tzedakah, chesed and gemilut chasadim. Be the example for others to follow. The palm tree, or date palm tree, is by teaching. Students come and eat of the fruits of knowledge and take the teachings to the world and raise more students. Both are wholly righteous in their approach.
4.) Who do you consider to be your Rav? What are some of your Rav’s teachings that inspire you the most?
My Rebbe is Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (zt”l), whom I was named for. I also follow many of the Chassidic Rebbes, such as: The Grand Rebbe Of Kaliv, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub (shlit”a), The Nikolsberg Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yechiel Mechel Lebovits (shlit”a), the Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak HeLevi Horowitz (zt”l) and the Lubatitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (zt”l).
As it regards lessons, let me put it this way:
From Rebbe Nachman, I learned that a story can teach far more than a lecture.
From Rabbi Menachem Mendel Taub I learned how to have joy even in the darkest times.
From Rabbi Levi Yitzchak HeLevi Horowitz I learned how to speak out against evil.
From Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson I learned how to reach out to people.
5.) The internet has been a boon of social exchange and intellectual sharing. Can you share your ideas concerning the pros and cons of an internet based shul?
On the pro side, the House of Seven Beggars Synagogue has been a blessing to many people who would otherwise not have a shul to attend, would have remained disconnected, and would not have the support of a Jewish community. We have been able to bring the community to people who are remote to a Jewish community, or are homebound and cannot attend shul.
The con side is something that has plagued me for the last eight years of broadcasting. Am I breaking the Sabbath by broadcasting, even with the precautions we take? Am I leading others to break the Sabbath by presenting the opportunity? The answer is not clear cut, and I am depending on my own interpretations of the Halachah. Am I right or wrong? I feel very much like Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai who, when given the opportunity to have three requests granted by the soon to be Roman Emperor , Vespasian, asked him to spare the city of Yavneh, the new home of the "Sanhedrin," the Jewish Supreme Court, and its Torah Sages. He was roundly criticized for not asking to spare Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple). He reasoned that, as a matter of Roman politics, saving Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash would have been refused, but Yavneh, the Judges and Sages were of little interest to the Roman world or politics. This decision plagued him the rest of his life. Was he right or wrong? Right up to his death bed, he was not sure, and feared he made the wrong decision. I also worry about my decision.
6.) What have been some of your greatest challenges and triumphs in the context of the emerging internet Yiddishkeit?
The internet is a fascinating and a dangerous place. Like all things, it can be used for good or bad. I view the internet much like the Baal Shem Tov. He wandered the highways and byways of the Carpathian Mountains to bring Jews back to their faith. I wander the World Wide Web trying to continue, in some small way, his work.
The triumphs are easily seen. Sites like YIVO, Judaism 101, Aish HaTorah, and many other sites that allow for the education of people. Sites like Aurtz Sheva, Jerusalem Post and Y-Net bring us the news of Israel and the Jewish world. And, many sites for the various branches of Judaism give us connection to the spiritual / religious side of Judaism.
There are, however, many pitfalls and highway men along the way. False teachers, messianics masquerading as Jews, threats from others, and the many other places on the internet that, shall we say, appeal to people’s baser instincts.
The internet can either bring us to light, or bury us in a pit.
7.) Concerning the role of Jews in America, do you consider the U.S. to be a place for a developing Jewish community and an on-going Jewish presence?
If history has taught us anything, it is that there is only one place for the Jewish people, and that is Israel.
The world-wide rise in anti-Semitism is on a level we have not seen since the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. The Unites States has been a safe harbor in a sea of hatred for Jews since the 1600’s. However, the U.S. has also been a place where Jews have become very secular and disconnected. Much like the Hellenized Jews of the time of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, we have adopted the dress, look and manners of this culture.
Regardless, there will always be a Jewish presence in the United States; it is up to us to determine what form that will take.
8.) Can you discuss your recent publishing of the book, “New Chasidic Stories”?
“New Chassidic Stories” is a pocket book of short stories I have written, adapted and re-written over the years. They are based on the Chassidic stories of old; stories that entertain as well as teach lessons on our history, Torah and ethical behavior. As I mentioned earlier, I learned from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov the power of the story, and HaShem has blessed me to be able to write stories that people seem to like. I love to write stories, and I wanted to use that blessing / ability toward helping people gain attachment to their faith, their history and HaShem.
However, as with everything, there is also a selfish aspect to my writings. I want to leave something of lasting value to future generations. This came about from a question I was asked when I was in my 30’s; “What will people say about you in 100 years?” That question was a real eye opener for me. I took a critical look at my life up to that point and decided that, in 100 years, people will say “Who?” I decided right then a there that I wanted to do something of value, something that would have an impact of people. It took almost twenty years while to figure out exactly what shape and form that would take. My books and stories are my gift to the future. My hope is to, in some small way, merit that people will actually be reading them in the future.
9.) With a growing disinterest in Judaism amongst the younger generations do you feel there is a way wherein Judaism should be expressed that is more relevant and practical? What are some things that you feel a relevant Judaism needs to approach and issues we need to tackle?
I believe it is only “disinterest” for the present time. I feel that there are dark times ahead for the world and this younger generation will be drawn back to their faith during this time.
We, the preceding generations, must take responsibility for our part in creating an air of disinterest among our children.
We still behave in the aspect of “In the morning thou shalt say: 'Would it were even!' and at even thou shalt say: 'Would it were morning!' for the fear of thy heart which thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.” (Deuteronomy 28: 67) And, we have taught that to our children for generations. What child would want to be part of such a people?!
We should be teaching our children in the aspect of “For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will turn the captivity of My people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.'” (Jeremiah 30: 3).
Especially, since the State of Israel in the 1948, we should have been teaching our children the truth of the Jewish people. We were not a lowly, beaten down people, we were a people that were blessed and feared, and will be again. The conquest of the land was a military phenomenon that is still studied to this day. This people continues to exist despite every nation and people that has tried to wipe it from the face of the earth. G-d protects Israel to this very day and we will again be His Treasure!
10.) Thanks for your time Rabbi. In conclusion let me thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and inquire as to anything new on your agenda that you may want to share with our readers…
I continue to write. I currently have a number of books in the works, and I am working on “More New Chassidic Stories”. I hope to have it ready for the publisher this winter.
BS”D, We continue to conduct services, studies and classes on our website.
I stumbled on your site. I am Torah Observant. In my interest to know more I came to this site with the interview of the Rabbi. When I read that he "broadcasts Shabbat services", I thought how can that be, with the esteemed Holy Rabbeim that he calls his Rav. I see that further down the Rabbi is grappling with this issue. In my humble opinion when one compromises on Halacha it demeans Judaism, not only in the eyes of the observant, but also in the eyes of the non-observant and in the eyes of G-d. This is a chillul Hashem. Nowhere does the Rabbi say he consulted Daas Torah! And even admits his decision to broadcast was "depending on my own interpretations of the Halachah". (Probably because he knew the answer, or because he is a fake (sorry to say). Have a good Shabbos ( without watching his broadcast.)