Nachmani

Isaac Kassin
Born	17 Kislev, 5743 Deal, New Jersey
Other names	Yitzhak Kassin

"Isaac Kassin" sometimes seen as "Isaaq Qassin" (Hebrew: יצחק קצין, יצחק עשין also sometimes Kassin, or Qassin.) (1982-)(17 Kislev 5743), is a prominent Sephardic Jew of Syiran origin that lives in the West Village neighborhood of New York City, New York. The Kassin family traces its lineage to the golden age of spanish Jewry and is widley believed to be of Judeo-Spanish origin.

Early Life

Born in Deal, New Jersey, he received classical Jewish and Secular educations, showing predilection in torah study at an early age. He attended the famous Yeshibat Hillel academy in Ocean, New Jersey, were he mentoured under the great Hakham Hayyim Ovadia. With his vast knoweldge in religious lore, the arts, and science he quickly became the dominant figure within the Syrian Jewish community of southern Jersey. As the noted historian Chabteye Chraime notes, “Kassin’s da’at torah had reached such unprecedented levels, that it was commonly understood that he would be the next chief Rabbi.”

Life In Eretz Yisrael

In 2001, Kassin left New Jersey for Israel's Old City of Jerusalem to learn at the Shehebar Sephardic Insitute led by Hakham Shemuel Kassin. Earning his living as a diamond cutter, he continued his studies and refused to teach. It was at this time that Kassin began to develop his messianic ideas, prompting him to write his magnum opus, the Admat Yishaq. Though highly controversial and unpractical, many regarded his work as absolute brilliance (see controversy).

In June 2002, Kassin decided to leave the Shehebar Institute and return to New Jersey. Not much information is known as to why he decided to leave so abruptly. Rumors have circulated that the bnei yeshiba had been secreatly courting women at night to the dorms, but this remains unconfirmed.

Controversy

The turning point in Kassin's life came at the early age of twenty-one, when he made the claim that he had found the Red Heifer, or parah adumah. According to Jewish tradition only nine Red Heifers have been identified since the Mosaic era, the last of which occurred in the late second temple period. In his work Admat Yitzhak (The Redness of Yitzhak, 2001) Kassin argued that his discovery would “usher in the return of the ritual temple sacrifices, and bring about the redemption of the Davidic dynasty in Israel.”

Needless to say, Kassin's claim shook the Sephardic world at its core. Many leading Rabbinic authroties had categorized Kassins claim as “Sabbateism.” Threatened with excommunication, Kassin swore to disavow his claim and returned to his native New Jersey were he took up studies at the renowned Rutgers University.