Articles:
On the night of the Seder we dip twice. We dip our Karpas into salt water to remember the bitterness caused by the Ksones PASim that was dipped in blood. We take the edge off of our bitterness by dipping Maror into Charoses and recalling the immersion that took place just before we were freed.
As much as we can and should appreciate those who work for peace and an end to dissension in the Jewish community, it may some times be the case that their aloof attitude implies that the issue at hand doesn’t really affect them—it isn’t really THEIR issue, it isn’t really their Yossele!
The TurtleDove (Streptopelia turtur) gets her name from her distinctive, purring, gentle and evocative TurTur sound as she brings in the summer months. It is a farewell to winter and a wake up call to new and better times to come.
Moshe was receiving the Torah on Har Sinai. Suddenly, Hashem told Moshe, “You need to leave now. Your Jewish people have taken a turn have made themselves a Golden Calf. They are dancing around it and worshipping it, saying ‘this is your god who took you out of Egypt.” Moshe could not receive the Torah.
The Mishkan was the dwelling place for G-d in this world. If G-d could have a house here on earth the Mishkan is what it would look like. The Torah goes to great lengths to describe to the Jewish people exactly how the Mishkan should be built and how it should look.
Yisro arrived at the Machane Yisroel with Moshe’s wife and sons, Gershom and Eliezer reuniting the family in the wilderness. Interestingly, the Jews were then gathered at Har HaElokim – exactly the same spot where Hashem appeared to Moshe in the Burning Bush.
The 15th of Shvat is a very important day for every member of the vegetable kingdom. On or around this day most plants, especially those in Israel, approach their final stages of development. This day is the cut-off point for last year’s fruit and the genesis of this year’s fruit.
What if one man could create an atmosphere of peace simply by setting up forty Bongo Drums on a grassy patch outside the Old City of Jerusalem?
We often experience spiritual highs. We need to save souvenirs, memories or commitments, from these highs to give us support at the times when we are low.
I was sitting in Little Israel the other day when we were invaded by the United States military. A huge Navy guy – clearly not Jewish – stormed in and made a direct assault on the South-Eastern sector of the store. He extracted five large tins of Elite Coffee and victoriously roared: “Best coffee in the world”.
When the Greek forces arrived in Jerusalem, they were not unhappy with what they found. There was a civilized culture, a very strong value system and an organized legal system in place. They further improved Israeli society by introducing the arts of architecture and mathematics as well as the secrets of physical well-being and agility. But they were still not satisfied. The Hellenists lived for the tangible and the Jews worshiped the intangible.
There is more to gratitude than just saying thank you. There is an obligation to appreciate, to recognize that we have been lucky enough to be the recipient of something good. We should realize that we might have just experienced, albeit in a miniscule way, one of the events that will shape the rest of our life.
A fresh approach to Tehillim, focusing on the historical backdrop of each Psalm. Within King David’s divinely inspired poetry, we can find an articulation of our own innermost feelings. This series examines the context and theme of each psalm in an attempt to help make the psalms more understandable and meaningful. Comments are based on insights from the Talmud, Medrash, Zohar, Rashi, Radak, Malbim, and others.
A fresh approach to Tehillim, focusing on the historical backdrop of each Psalm. Within King David’s divinely inspired poetry, we can find an articulation of our own innermost feelings. This series examines the context and theme of each psalm in an attempt to help make the psalms more understandable and meaningful. Comments are based on insights from the Talmud, Medrash, Zohar, Rashi, Radak, Malbim, and others.
A fresh approach to Tehillim, focusing on the historical backdrop of each Psalm. Within King David’s divinely inspired poetry, we can find an articulation of our own innermost feelings. This series examines the context and theme of each psalm in an attempt to help make the psalms more understandable and meaningful. Comments are based on insights from the Talmud, Medrash, Zohar, Rashi, Radak, Malbim, and others.
About:
Rabbi Sender Haber is the Rabbi of the B’nai Israel Congregation in Norfolk, VA. He is well-known throughout Hampton Roads, having arrived over fifteen years ago as one of the original four members of the Norfolk Area Community Kollel. In that capacity, Rabbi Haber was involved in community-wide programming, teaching, and outreach. He has inspired many Jews to expand their Jewish identity and increase their love of Torah and commitment to its observance. Everyone who knows Rabbi Haber is touched by his breadth of Torah knowledge and his ability to convey the wisdom of the ages in such a way as to make those esoteric writings accessible to persons of all levels of experience and a variety of backgrounds.
Rabbi Haber has served in a number of capacities during his years in Norfolk. Since 2003, Rabbi Haber has been a teacher of Jewish Studies at Toras Chaim Day School in Portsmouth, teaching boys and girls of all ages, with a focus on Gemara, Halacha, and Chumash. He has also taught at Yeshivas Aish Kodesh and Bina High School in Norfolk, and served as Assistant Rabbi of B’nai Israel for 6 years. He also serves as the Rabbi of the “Lost Tribe,” Tidewater’s Jewish Motorcycle group! While handling all of these responsibilities, he has continued to participate in numerous chavrusas (one-on-one learning partnerships) covering a wide range of topics and writings.
Rabbi Haber and his wife Chamie have been married for sixteen years. They have five children, Minna, Moshe, Ely, Akiva Meir and Chava. They both come from rabbinic families steeped in Torah, kiruv, and chessed. Rabbi Haber received his Rabbinic Ordination (Yoreh Yoreh) from Rabbi Sender Rosenbloom and Rabbi Mordechai Freidlander of the Jerusalem Beth Din. He was awarded a Teaching Certificate by Torah Umesorah Association for Jewish Day Schools in 2004 and again in 2009. In addition, Rabbi Haber has spent over a decade studying Talmud, Jewish Law, and ethics in some of the world’s most prestigious Yeshivos including Beth Medrash Gavoha in Lakewood, NJ and Yeshivas Mir in Jerusalem.
Books:
Mosaica Haggadah:
Why is this Haggadah different from all other Haggadahs?
Join Rabbi Sender and Chamie Haber and their charming family at their Pesach Seder – and experience this special night with this most special educational Haggadah.
Unique features include:
Year after year, Jews of all affiliations celebrate the Passover Seder surrounded by loved ones. Indeed, handing down the story of our people each year at the Pesach Seder transcends generations.
Rabbi Sender and Chamie’s Passover Seders are known far and wide for being entertaining, interesting and unforgettable. The Mosaica Haggadah will inspire your family like never before.
Contact Rabbi Sender Haber: