by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Mar 11, 2016 | Vayakhel, Pekudei
Whatever happened to Betzalel? The Talmud tells a story. Rabbi Tarphon was ill and his very important friends, Rabbi Akiva, Rabban Gamliel and others, came to visit. They met his mother at the door crying. She pleaded with the Tzaddikim to “please pray for her son...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Feb 12, 2016 | Devarim, The 3 Weeks, Tisha B'Av
I’m feeling okay about the nine days this year. Even Tisha B’Av! That may sound radical, so let’s explain why. The Talmud (Yoma 5) describes a scene toward the desecration and destruction of the Beis HaMikdash by the Babylonians. According to the Medrash in Eicha, a...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Feb 5, 2016 | Mishpatim
“If I could give only one bit of advice to my students, I would tell them that whenever they meet someone new, no matter who it is, they should try to find at least one thing that they like about that person.” (Rav Yisroel Salanter) Once you don’t like someone,...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jan 28, 2016 | Yitro
The Slonimer Rebbe, of blessed memory, asked: On Friday night when we sit down to our Shabbos meal the first thing we do is welcome the Angels into our home. “Shalom Aleichem! Malachei HaShareis.” G-d sends the holiest guests to our home when we make...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jan 22, 2016 | Beshalach
Miriam took her tambourine, took the women aside and led them in song. Today Moshe’s sister is introduced to us by name. Until now we didn’t know her name. She was called “Achos Moshe”, Moses’ sister. We also learn today about the new...
