Rabbi Leeor Dahan

Type of wearer: Doesn't want to be an influence, Rabbi, Shul Rav

Affiliation: Charedi, Sepharadi, Yeshivish

In the Queens neighborhood of Fresh Meadows, Rabbi Leeor Dahan leads Kehilat Avodat Hashem, a growing Sephardic congregation known for serious learning and real community warmth. But he’s not just a pulpit rav—he’s a thinker, a mechanech, and a posek who knows how to bring halacha into people’s lives in a way that sticks.

One of his standout contributions is the Sefer Mishna Berura Ammudei Hora’ah, a thoughtful and organized work offering clear halachic guidance grounded in both Sephardic tradition and broader halachic dialogue. His shiurim—whether in shul or online—tend to pull in more than just his local crowd. Torah learners from outside the community regularly seek out his classes for their depth and practical relevance.

But there’s also another side to Rabbi Dahan—one he doesn’t exactly advertise. Those close to him know: he wears Techeiles. Not on his Tallit Gadol, and not to make a point. It’s a personal conclusion he arrived at after digging deeply into the sugya.

In his own words:

“I do wear Techelet in my Tallit Katan, but that is specifically because when I was me’ayin in the sugya, it became barur to me that it is the correct Techelet of old (the Murex). I do not moreh to others to wear Techelet nor am I against it for others (of course). I do not think it is correct to wear Techelet on Tallit Gadol—although I understand it—until the Gedoley HaDor HaSefaradim do it (meaning R’ Yitzchak Yosef, R’ Shlomo Amar, R’ David Yosef), then I’ll be okay with it too. To Bnei Torah who ask me, I would recommend it betzin’ah.”

There’s a quiet humility there. He’s not pushing, not pulling. Just learning, weighing, and living what he holds to be true. And when bnei Torah come asking, he offers his view—not as a flag, but as a perspective worth considering.

With his deep respect for Sephardic mesorah, and his careful approach to halachic change, Rabbi Dahan continues to earn the trust of his kehilla and the admiration of learners beyond it. His balance—between holding strong views and knowing when to stay low-key—is rare. And valuable.