Revolutionary "In Halacha and Agadah" Booklets Cross Borders: Interview with Rabbi Naki, Author of the Series

The "In Halacha and Agadah" series has sparked a significant transformation. These are concise booklets presenting practical halachic rulings in an engaging, clear manner. They are organized by themes (Shabbat, purity, festivals, honoring parents, kosher laws, etc.) and are highly popular amongst those seeking to understand Hashem's desires practically.

Rabbi Naki, who seized the opportunity upon recognizing the community's need, shares about the tremendous distribution and the enthusiastic responses from readers. He notes that even individuals who seem distant from religious observance express interest in these booklets and read them. "A man from Herzliya called, telling me he was very disconnected from Torah observance," Rabbi Naki recalls. "He shared that he attended a memorial service where 'Shabbat in Halacha and Agadah' booklets were distributed. Initially, he didn't want one but took it to avoid discomfort. At home, he started reading, and it captivated him. Suddenly, he discovered the joy of Shabbat. It was important for him to tell me he always spoke against Shabbat and religious people, but now he wants to apologize to Shabbat and all those he criticized."

"Another woman shared," the Rabbi continues, "that she began strengthening her religious practice after attending lectures at *Hidabroot*. Her challenge was figuring out how to start observing halacha because all the details seemed overwhelming and endless. By divine intervention, she received a concise Shabbat booklet and thoroughly enjoyed it. The agadah section helped her understand the great value of Shabbat, while the halacha section guided her in practical observance. After finishing the Shabbat booklet, she moved on to others, continuing her spiritual journey."

Affordable Booklets: How Did the Idea Originate?

Over a decade ago, Rabbi David Shalom Naki and his family moved from Jerusalem to Karmiel. "We left our growth environment and extended family to live far away," he recounts, "it wasn't easy, but we knew our goal was to strengthen fellow Jews, so we did it happily. As a young student at 'Chazon Ovadia' yeshiva in Jerusalem, I witnessed the dedication of Maran Rabbi Ovadia, may his memory be a blessing, and his son Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, to outreach. Rabbi Ovadia traveled extensively to spread Torah, so when we were asked to travel as well, it didn’t take much convincing. The live example I saw spoke to me more than anything. To this day, I travel to strengthen people on Shabbats in various places. When speaking with Israel's Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, he recalled to me how he also traveled for Shabbat thirty years ago."

Rabbi Naki's booklets

Upon arriving in Karmiel, Rabbi Naki encountered a broad audience that was not well-versed in halacha. "In one of the Shabbat lessons I delivered, I shared how Maran would occasionally test his students during regular synagogue classes. Immediately, one of the attendees asked me to test them as well, like Maran. We arranged a test based on the 'Yalkut Yosef' book, and about 60 people attended. Over time, when we wanted to conduct another test, some didn't have the 'Yalkut Yosef' books, and others were at the beginning stages of their religious journey, struggling with the texts. Consequently, I decided to extract the essence of the laws from the book and write them in a simple, comprehensible language anyone could understand. This way, everyone—men, women, and even children—could study and be tested on the halachic issues."

Thus, the concept of publishing practical, user-friendly halachic booklets was born. "All the laws are based on Maran's and 'Yalkut Yosef's works, but Ashkenazi views are also mentioned," Rabbi Naki describes. "There are about 20 booklets on various themes—Shabbat, purity, modesty, marriage, mourning, honoring parents, kosher laws, commandments applicable to Israel, and all the holidays. Over time, 'Gate of Agadah' was added to the booklets, offering captivating stories and explanations for each commandment and its rationale. The booklets are beautifully illustrated, presenting content in a vivid and compelling way."

The booklets are not sold in bookstores but at around 100 distribution points nationwide. "Each booklet costs 3.5 shekels, containing 150-200 pages. The thicker booklets with 300 pages or in color cost only 5.5 shekels. This minimal price allows everyone to purchase them. We chose not to distribute them in bookstores, which would have raised prices, but instead through private individuals distributing them from home, not for profit."

The thriving booklet distribution project has received extensive and enthusiastic support. "We were fortunate that Maran, blessed be his memory, greatly supported and encouraged our endeavor, and Rabbi David Abuhatzeira ordered 1,000 copies of every new booklet we published. Synagogue stewards requested them, and mikveh attendants as well," Rabbi Naki notes.

"People Thirst for Clear, Practical Halacha Knowledge"

Over time, new ideas and upgrades have been added to the booklets. "Recently, the Chief Rabbi requested we publish the Shabbat booklet in a pocket format, and Rabbi Zamir Cohen suggested daily study divisions. We produced three pocket-sized Shabbat booklets, with each divided by date, covering four months. This allows anyone to study all Shabbat laws within a year, all for just 8.5 shekels for the three booklets. Another example is the purity and modesty booklets, each almost 200 pages long. We created more concise versions, costing just one shekel, distributed in many locations. Before releasing them, we had women across the spectrum review them, and in Hashem's blessing, everyone was satisfied."

Along the way, Rabbi Naki strived to simplify the writing further, based on reader feedback. "Initially, some parts read 'and the stringent will be blessed'. Some pointed out this was confusing, not knowing how to act. Observing public's need for clarity, we removed ambiguous phrases."

For information on the nearest "In Halacha and Agadah" sales point: 053-3109865

People from all backgrounds read and purchase these booklets, sometimes for the merit of others. "During this year's Baba Sali memorial, 15,000 concise purity booklets were distributed. Many buy them to honor the deceased or as a blessing for their success, with many miraculous stories reported. For instance, a 26-year-old woman decided to distribute 100 'Be A Woman - The Concise' booklets to her friends, to study in her merit for 40 days. They began their study on the 14th of Elul, expecting immediate blessing, but nothing happened. Ten months later, she was invited to her friend's engagement in a hotel in Safed. Initially hesitant to travel so far, she decided to make the effort. Coincidentally, an older couple, longing for a vacation, finally succeeded at that time. Entering the hotel, they heard Persian music from the engagement and enjoyed its exotic sounds. The elderly woman noticed our participant, exchanged numbers, and by the following Elul 14, exactly a year after starting the study, she officially engaged with the older woman's son."

Throughout the process, Rabbi Naki sometimes pondered whether to focus more on deep halachic writing. "At times, I thought of delving into more scholarly halacha, but saw the community's thirst for simpler works. That's when I recognized this is Hashem's call for me. In our generation, many who draw closer to Judaism thirst to know Hashem, requiring literature in simple, clear language. Even the Chafetz Chaim's first work was 'Shmirat HaLashon', which is 'just' compilations on the subject, not a deep legal work like 'Mishnah Berurah'. Chafetz Chaim himself stated that it was divine will to compose a clear, simple work consolidating the laws."

"With Hashem's blessing," Rabbi Naki concludes, "we are fortunate these booklets reach Jews everywhere, it's truly divine providence beyond natural circumstances."