by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Oct 11, 2013 | Lech Lecha, Vayeira
Abraham did not travel alone. Apart from his many followers, he had three companions: Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. When God commanded Abram (henceforth Abraham) to circumcise himself and his male household, he asked advice from these three friends in turn, as to whether he...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Oct 4, 2013 | Noach
In 1993 I traveled from Australia to Hong Kong. I was invited by the Hong Kong community to lead a Shabbaton. A wonderful Sephardic Jew by the name of David Darvish picked me up at the airport. As we drove from the airport through one of the most glamorous cities in...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Aug 30, 2013 | Vayelech
Why are there not lines outside shuls begging to get in? I remember so vividly, about 25 years ago, as a rabbi in Buffalo, NY, when a Buffalonian living in India came to see me. His name was Irving Goldstein, but he called himself by some Indian name. He was the...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Aug 23, 2013 | Ki Tavo
G-d set you aside from all the nations of the world to be your G-d, so that you can walk in His ways. (Devorim 26;17) G-d chose us to be able to walk in His ways. In simpler terms we can act like G-d acts; we can be kind like G-d is kind; we can forgive like G-d...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Aug 9, 2013 | Shoftim, Elul
We’ve all been there. We are enjoying the first course at the wedding meal. There is light music in the background, pleasant conversation and a beautiful setting. Suddenly the band pumps up. With pomp and fanfare the music reaches a crescendo and a new beginning is...
