by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Oct 14, 2010 | Lech Lecha
The following drasha was given at the Saranac Synagogue in Buffalo on Shabbat Lech Lecha 5747 (1986), and transcribed from memory by Jeffery Zucker. In this week’s parsha we read that Abraham (or Abram), notwithstanding all his spiritual and material progress,...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Jun 11, 2010 | Korach
The children of Korach were in a dilemma. They were sitting with their father when Moshe and his entourage walked by. Who could not stand up for Moshe? On the other hand, they knew how their father Korach felt toward Moshe. They knew if they stood up for the leader of...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 28, 2010 | Behaalotcha
Moses was the quintessential leader. He fearlessly served our people as a shepherd, teacher, coach and of course a prophet at every moment of every day. Time after time he represented us before G-d, he defended us before G-d, and he argued with G-d on our behalf....
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | May 7, 2010 | Behar, Bechukotai
After the Nazis invaded the small village of Klausenberg, they began to celebrate in their usual sadistic fashion. They gathered the Jews into a circle in the center of town, and then paraded their Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusial Yehuda Halberstam, into the center. They began...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Apr 30, 2010 | 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. Chillul Hashem is the biggest aveira. Kiddush Hashem is the biggest mitzva. One would think that the person prone to making a...