Rabbi Yakov Nagen: "Connect!"

 

Rabbi Dr. Yakov Meir Nagen is an Israeli Rabbi and author. Rabbi Nagen teaches at Yeshivat Otniel and has written extensively about Jewish philosophy and Talmud. He is a leader in interfaith peace initiatives between Judaism and Islam and in encounters between Judaism and Eastern religions. Nagen is also the Director of the Blickle Institute for Interfaith Dialogue and the Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity. Many of his writings have been translated into Chinese, and he was profiled in Tablet magazine as one of the ten “Israeli Rabbis You Should Know.” Rabbi Nagen’s website is http://yakovnagen.com/index.php/english .

 

1.       What was a place, person or event that transformed your ideas, thinking, or perspective?

Rabbi Menachem Froman inspired me to become part of the Interfaith Peace movement. His great insight was that if religion is part of the problem, it will have to be part of the solution.

 

2.       What (Jewish) message does the world need to hear?

In our time, the Abrahamic religions must realize that we are no longer in competition with one another. Our challenge is facing a world that is primarily secular. By respecting each other, we can show that each of our stories is part of a larger story. In that context we are more significant.

 

3.       How has failing to achieve a goal prepared you for the next challenge?

When debating with others, if I have any anger, we never get anywhere. Using non-violent communication and believing connection before correction allows me to connect to the other. This often leads to discussions where the other becomes a brother.

 

4.       If you were to give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Whatever you think you’re going to be doing in life, you’ll probably end up doing something very different. So try to become as broad as possible so you’ll have the resources to build the future you ultimately will arrive at.

 

5.       What is one way you spoil yourself a little?

There are some comics I like such as The Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes that I study in great depth.

 

6.       How do you get back on track if you have had an unproductive or distracted period?

If I’m off track, I get a really good night’s sleep. When you’re fully awake, you get so much more accomplished.

 

7.       What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

At my 30^th birthday, my grandmother-in-law said to me that the years between 30 and 40 are the most important of your life - use them well. That was a great piece of advice. I wish she was still alive when I became 40. Then she could tell me that really between 40 and 50 are the greatest years of your life.

 

8.       What do you consider your biggest achievement in the last 5-10 years?

I am grateful that Ohr Torah Stone opened two new institutions – the Beit Midrash for Judaism and Humanity and the Blickle institute for Interfaith Dialogue which I founded and head. This will allow me to promote my interfaith work.

 

9.       What area do Rabanim/teachers not stress enough?

I think Rabbis often talk about family values but don’t always give priority to working with their own families. As Gandhi said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Therefore I think the priority should be family first even for Rabbis who want to serve communities.

What part of Jewish learning is your main focus or favourite? How would you recommend people to get more deeply into it?

The Zohar opens up my heart to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, the Jewish people and the world. Fortunately we live in a time when there is a marvelous new translation which makes it more accessible for English speakers.

 

 1.   I have often thought that we in the modern orthodox community are walking a tightrope between different worlds both of which we want to belong to and be active in which may detract from our full attention to one or the other particularly to the Jewish side. Can you give some ideas or direction how to connect more deeply to the Torah and Hashem? (Books, ideas, programmes, activities)

In modern orthodox Jewry especially amongst English speakers, our education is very text-oriented. Too little do we talk about the Ribono shel Olam and work on developing our conception of the Divine, of G-d. In a secular world, we need to expand our consciousness to relate to G-d and this will require learning and thinking more about G-d.