by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jun 27, 2014 | Chukat
This week’s parsha discusses the mysterious law of “parah adumah”, the red heifer, which is used for purification, but contaminates those who perform the purification. “Zos chukas haTorah”, it says, “This is the law of the...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 23, 2014 | Bamidbar
The Parsha starts with Hashem instructing Moshe to take a census of Bnei Yisrael. So on Rosh Chodesh Iyar, Moshe and the Nesi’im of each Shevet counted every male over the age of 20 according to their shevet. After the census was taken, Hashem further instructed Moshe...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 16, 2014 | Sefirat Ha'Omer, Behar, Bechukotai, Lag B'Omer
Rabbi Akiva was forty years old and decided he wanted to study Torah. Thus far his life revolved around caring for the physical needs of the world. Like our forefathers, like Moses like so many great men he was a shepherd. But now he decided that he wants to make an...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 9, 2014 | Behar
Shortly after moving to Israel I was given the opportunity to travel with a group to Mezibuz in the Ukraine. The purpose of the trip was to spend Shabbos in the city of the great Baal Shem Tov and to pray at his graveside. This was a spiritual trip and I was...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 2, 2014 | Sefer Vayikra, Emor
I once read an astounding study that affects us all. A certain philanthropist in Long Island is funding an academic study on the “fallout” from Judaism. Why are so many children falling through the cracks of the Jewish community? We all have our own ideas and theories...
