Shalom,
I have posted videos from Rabbi Moshe Parry, whom I have had the pleasure of spending at least 2 (if not 3) Shabbat morning services and kiddushes with. When he made teshuva he feel into the Kahane camp immediately. At that time Rabbi Meir Kahane was famous and many Baal Teshuva's were inspired by his message of Jewish pride and sovereignty.
I will relate the story once again because it teaches a lesson about how people change... When I first made teshuva, in early 2003, I slowly made the transition from the left to the right on political thought. One reason for my making teshuva was my brothers death at the hands of the 9/11 terrorists (among 2 other reasons which I only tell my closest friends).
When I first made teshuva I discovered a 'progressive 'temple'' which was conveniently located about five minutes (20 minutes if I walk) from my home. I had lived here almost five years and I did not realize there was a 'reform/progressive' community nearby. So I hooked up with them and started to go to Friday night services. At the time I was un-employed and quite depressed about it (I was making ends meet with contract programming work) so I had a lot of time.
On many occasions an Orthodox Rabbi who lived around the corner from the shul was doing kiruv (outreach) at the shul. This was my first 'Rabbi' who I set over myself, asking him all kinds of questions. I started to study the Torah portion of the week (Parsha HaShavuah) and the HafTarah portions (the section of the prophets read each week)...
Anyway, this rabbi happened to be the campus rabbi for a local college, which held occasional Shabbatons for the students and members of the community. So I started to go to these Shabbatons, and at a couple of them, Rabbi Parry was davening with us and giving dvar Torahs over the kiddush lunch.
At that time I still was somewhat on the left politically... When I heard what this rabbi was saying it turned me off. I even walked out on him once when he was giving a speech.
But time is strange equation. I cannot fathom that at that time I would see myself today, a total Kahanist in every way. Even though I walked out on Rabbi Parry I am appreciative that I had the opportunity to be in his presence, and he may have planted a seed in my brain which needed time to mature.
Eventually the college replaced my rabbi (who moved down to LA) with a Chabad rabbi whom I respect, but he did not hold Shabbatons like my original rabbi (but I still occasionally get invited to the school). My friends from minyan hooked up with another Chabad rabbi with whom we all have been contributing to his Jewish community for almost four years now.
Topic: Kahanist Rabbi Moshe Parry from LA : Some thoughts on the Kahanes (Read 1642 times)