by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 24, 2013 | Behaalotcha
Miriam couldn’t move and the Jewish people didn’t want to wait. The Jewish people were ready to move. They were on their way to Eretz Yisroel. Miriam couldn’t move. Miriam became ill with Tzoraas (a form of spiritual leprosy) and had to be in...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 17, 2013 | Naso
The Baal Shem Tov once said: If a person, going about their business, encounters something ugly like corruption or violence, he or she should stop and think. Why is G-d showing me this picture? There must be a reason. The scene before us is a mirror, which reflects an...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Apr 26, 2013 | Emor
In today’s parsha we read about the various restrictions applying to kohanim (or “priests”, although I am uncomfortable with this translation, for reasons which will become clear). For example, a kohen may not “contaminate himself”...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Apr 25, 2013 | Emor
Do not shame My holy name; sanctify me amongst the people of Israel, I am G-d. (Vayikra 22; 32) This is a strange juxtaposition. Chilul Hashem is the biggest aveira. Kidush Hashem is the biggest mitzva. One would think that the person prone to making a chilul Hashem...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Apr 19, 2013 | Acharei Mot
In this week’s parsha, we find the Jews journeying in the desert. They have not yet developed a national character—nor do they have a country. But for now they are travelling from one country, Egypt, to another, Canaan, and being warned severely against emulating the...
