Rabbi Sender Haber

Rabbi, Monsey, NY
Devarim Nechmadim on Avos: First Mishna

Devarim Nechmadim on Avos: First Mishna

I Our forefathers were close to perfect. There is very little that we can say that they didn’t say and there is very little that we can do that they didn’t do better. Still, each of the personalities in the Torah was noted for his or her unique strengths. Adam and...
Devarim Nechmadim on Avos: First Mishna

Devarim Nechmadim on Avos: Introduction

We read Pirkei Avos between Pesech and Shavuos because it prepares us to properly accept the Torah. This is the period when the students of Rabi Akiva perished because they did not have proper respect for one another. Apparently, it is possible for a person to possess...
Respect

Respect

At the very end of my second Seder, my wife rose to count Sefirah and took a moment to explain how we are counting our way to Shavuos and growing each day of the forty nine days ahead of us. Everyone at the table counted, but one woman was puzzled. “I enjoyed this...

Staying Awake at Night

“Rebbe Chanina ben Chachinai said: One who is awake at night or goes on the road by himself, and turns his heart to wasteful things, this person is taking his life in his hands.” The Mishna seems to be giving us an important practical lesson: If you are up...

The Answer

Sometimes we need to explain things that have no explanation. It might be a joke, a feeling of satisfaction, or intense anger. Explaining takes away a piece. Once you put it into words you lose the essence. You limit your experience to that which you can ariculate....