by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jan 15, 2016 | Bo
I was once a proud member of the Boy Scouts of America, we had a pack of frum boys who met in a local shul. The troop was run by my father. Once he announced that we were going to learn about ‘the great divide’. I had no idea what he was talking about but guessed it...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jan 1, 2016 | Shemot
The Book of Shmos begins with a new reality for the Jewish People. A reality which introduces on the one hand the prosperity of the Jewish people and their assimilation into Egyptian culture, and at the same time a growing anti-semitism which ensued. This was a new...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Dec 11, 2015 | Bereishit, Beshalach, Chanukah, Tetzaveh, Purim
Our function in this world is to activate G-d’s light. G-d said: “Light the Menorah and the world will see that it is not I that illuminate the world but you.” (Medrash Shmos Rabba 36;2) When the world was created G-d said “Let there be...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Dec 4, 2015 | Vayeshev
This week’s Torah portion describes the envy between Joseph and his brothers, “Sinat Chinam”, and to what extent that envy can damage even the greatest and holiest of families. The jealousy and hate that Joseph’s brothers had toward him motivated them to...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Nov 27, 2015 | Vayishlach
In Israel and the world over we are mourning the loss of innocent and wonderful Jews. Children and teenagers are cut down by forces of evil. The tragedies are at times unspeakable. How can we respond? Esau anguished Yaakov in injuring his thigh. Esau’s...
