Editing Yoel Kahan (section)

== His Torah Activity's ==

==== As a Chozzer ====
Immediately upon arriving at 770, his exceptional talents became apparent, and he began writing hanacha (transcripts) of the Rebbe's sichos (talks). The elder Chassidim who had been chozzrim for the Rebbe Rashab were impressed by his special ability in both understanding and phenomenal memory. The Rebbe instructed him to be his chief chozzer and from then on viewed him as primarily responsible for all transcripts and publications of his teachings.
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Rabbi Yoel served as the Rebbe's chozzer from the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership. A few days after the Rebbe accepted the leadership, at the farbrengen of 11 Shevat 5711, the Rebbe turned to him and requested him to prepare a hanacha of the maamar "Basi LeGani" that was said at the farbrengen. It is also known that on Shavuos 5712 in the early morning, the Rebbe held a farbrengen and waited to say the maamar until Rabbi Yoel returned from the mikvah.

==== Committee for Spreading Chassidus ====
In 5711, Rabbi Yoel joined and revitalized the Committee for Spreading Chassidus that was founded about ten years earlier in 5701, to print the Rebbe's sichos and spread Chassidus in various circles. Rabbi Yoel edited the printed material and radio lectures, during which the Rebbe edited many sichos.

==== Likkutei Sichos ====
As chozzer, Rabbi Yoel wrote and prepared many sichos for editing, from which volumes 1-4 of Likkutei Sichos were later printed. After seeing that the Rebbe agreed to edit the sichos but required comprehensive editing before submission for editing, Rabbi Yoel dedicated himself to re-editing the sichos, which initially focused mainly on Rashi's commentary, which the Rebbe began delivering after his mother Rebbetzin Chana's passing, from which Likkutei Sichos volumes 5-9 were printed.

==== Sefer HaErechim ====
At the beginning of the Rebbe's leadership, the Rebbe instructed Rabbi Yoel to begin writing a comprehensive encyclopedia of Chabad Chassidic teachings. He began the writing together with Rabbi Chaim Shalom Dovber Lipsker, who later withdrew from the work. In response to Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin's comment about excessive length where each topic is divided into details, particulars of details, and particulars of particulars until the reader loses the connecting thread and sometimes it seems like a maze, the Rebbe responded: "Of course, he is correct in his comment regarding the details, etc. in the Chabad Encyclopedia, and I have alerted the editors about this several times (and I will continue to do so) – and for now it has helped somewhat. It is difficult to restrain the enthusiasm in Chassidus, it is 'also' difficult for the one who limits it."
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Between the years 5743-5745 (1983-1985), the Rebbe spoke at a Shabbos Lech Lecha farbrengen about how Rabbi Yoel (without mentioning his name) was not focusing on writing the Sefer HaArachim [Encyclopedia]. When some tried to use these words to summon him to a Din Torah and published this accusation against him, the Rebbe wrote a special response detailing his praise on one hand while rejecting the reasons cited for the claim:

"With the greatest astonishment I read the above and what was enclosed with the conclusion 'and peace upon Israel' - that after deliberation '''for a long time''' and investigation (at least seemingly) '''the main point is missing'''. And you force me (and also - to put in writing) expressions that I am not accustomed to at all. In any case, I will be as brief as possible, with the introduction, although '''it is obvious''': This is not about [people who] 'sit at street corners' but rather '''exactly the opposite''': a claim to Beis Din regarding a '''specific''' person, and this person educates '''in matters of the living G-d''' hundreds of people (including in Tomchei Tmimim) for decades, etc. And briefly, the content of the claim: I commanded the above at a farbrengen '''in public''': 1) that he should not engage in anything else, etc., 2) that his only matter is one thing, etc. 3) and the above person publicly did exactly the opposite in the Beis Midrash - praying, etc. - and therefore his description (and consequently his judgment) is such and such. Since '''I never''' commanded him (and also did not request similar to this) the above in public (and not in private either), '''it is well-known''' that '''with my encouragement''' he engages '''in many things''' for decades (and certainly the members of the Beis Din also know this), the claim to the Beis Din and the accusations against the above person - were publicized to many more than 3 people. And their response to all this (together with the content enclosed here) is as mentioned above! And to note - I also did not command others similarly (and also did not request) - because this is '''against human nature''' in which a person was created (to engage only in one thing) - and according to what is explained in Chassidus, this is contrary to his virtue (Likkutei Torah Emor - 37b. And in many places). Another matter - the main claim is that the one approaching the Beis Din and accusing, etc. - himself did not hear '''even one word''' of all that he writes in my name. Rather, he heard fleeting letters and then searched in notes, etc. And seemingly the first question of the Beis Din to him should have been: what did he hear, etc. - and this is the main cause of all the above. And if the claim is true - why did he hide such a fundamental matter, etc."

==== As Mashpia and Educator ====
Shortly after his arrival at 770, he was appointed as a teacher of Chassidus, initially at the yeshiva in Bedford and Dean and afterwards at the yeshiva at 770. At the beginning of the year 5714 (1953-1954), they arranged a new Chassidus class in the yeshiva and looked for a Chassidus supervisor. Several suggestions were proposed to the Rebbe, and the Rebbe asked: "Why not Yoel? He would be suitable for this." In his holy response from 7 Adar 5747 (1987), the Rebbe wrote about him: "This is not about 'those who sit at street corners' but rather '''exactly the opposite'''... and this person educates in '''Chassidus''' (including in Tomchei Tmimim) for decades, etc."
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Rabbi Yoel served as the head mashpia in the central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva - 770, gave classes in 770 and farbrenged with the Kvutza students, and also participated in some of the administration meetings and would occasionally express his opinion on matters of yeshiva management. In the many farbrengens among Chabad Chassidim (and especially among the students), he would mainly emphasize the need for hiskashrus (connection) to the Rebbe.

For many years, he gave classes in Monsey and Lakewood, through which thousands became closer to Chabad Chassidus. As part of this, he gave a weekly class at the Chabad synagogue "Beis Menachem" on 16th Avenue in Boro Park. Occasionally, he would go on journeys to spread Chassidus in the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land, during which he gave many Chassidus classes to audiences of Polish Chassidim.

Among his distinguished students are the cream of Chabad mashpiim and rabbis, including: Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, Rabbi Leibel Shapiro, Rabbi Nachman Shapiro, Rabbi Mendel Vechter, Rabbi Elimelech Zweibel, and others.