About Yoel Kahn
Lived 1930 – 2021 (aged 91). Yoel Kahn was an American writer and rabbi.
Yoel Kahn (; February 14, 1930 – July 15, 2021) was a senior Chabad rabbi who worked for the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He was the youngest of four children born to Refoel Nachman and Rivkah (Davidson) Kahan. His father studied in the original Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim, in the town of Lubavitch, White Russia and wrote Shemu'os VeSippurim a multi-volume compilation of accounts and anecdotes culled from the traditions handed down by Chassidim of earlier generations and his own experiences.
In 1935, Kahn emigrated to Mandatory Palestine together with his family, and studied in Yeshiva Achai Temimim in Tel Aviv under Rabbi Chaim Shaul Brook. During his teen years he also studied privately with the Rabbi Moshe Gourarie. He also knew and was influenced by Rabbi Nochum Goldshmidt and to a lesser degree, by Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman.
New York
In 1950, Kahn went to New York to study at the central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York.
In 1954, he married Leah Butman.
For decades Kahn served as the main , repeater for Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh rebbe of Chabad. He listened to Schneerson's talks and then, after consultation with colleagues, repeated them to Schneerson's Hasidim to transcribe them for print.
Following Schneerson's death, he continued to serve as the senior Mashpia (spiritual guide) in the central Lubavitcher yeshiva at 770 Eastern Parkway. He was referred to familiarly amongst Chabad Chasidim as Reb Yoel.
Death Rabbi Kahn died on July 15, 2021. He had no children.
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)
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Important facts
People in Yoel Kahn's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Yoel Kahn's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Yoel Kahn?
Chabad rabbi (1930-2021)
When was Yoel Kahn born?
Yoel Kahn was born on 14 February 1930 in Moscow.
When did Yoel Kahn die?
Yoel Kahn died on 15 July 2021 in New York City.
What was Yoel Kahn's occupation?
Yoel Kahn was a writer and rabbi.
What nationality was Yoel Kahn?
Yoel Kahn was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Yoel Kahn. https://biography.guide/yoel-kahn/
MLA: "Yoel Kahn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/yoel-kahn/.
Chicago: "Yoel Kahn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/yoel-kahn/.
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