by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Dec 4, 2009 | Vayishlach
In this week’s parsha we read about the fateful meeting between Jacob and Esau. Jacob, on learning that Esau is approaching with four hundred men, “was very afraid and distressed” (Gen. 32:8), fearing that Esau might want to kill him for his previous...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Nov 27, 2009 | Vayetzei
If civil war breaks out in Rwanda, it might be because we couldn’t find it in our heart to forgive our brother, spouse or neighbor. Jacob dreamed of a ladder. In the dream Angels of G-d climbed up the ladder and then Angels came back down. Angels originate in...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Nov 20, 2009 | Toldot
Yaacov saw the big picture. Esav saw a bowl of beans. Yaacov saw the big picture; he saw the unfolding of Jewish history. Esav saw a bowl of beans. This is both the story and the message of this week's Parsha. Its not that Esav didn't appreciate his...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Nov 13, 2009 | Chayei Sarah
The Chasidim speak about raising the sparks. During the process of creation holy sparks flew out of their targets and landed in some of the most unlikely places on Earth. One of the main functions of man is to find these holy sparks, remove them from their unholy...
by Rabbi Yaacov Haber | Nov 5, 2009 | Vayeira
For Avrohom Avinu, at ninety nine years old things started popping. When we think about a Bris Milah we immediately conjure up images of a new life, a new beginning and a fresh start. Our Parsha begins when Avrohom Avinu was ninety-nine years old. He had just had a...
