by Rabbi Sender Haber | May 22, 2015
Our Chapter “The Sages taught in the language of the Mishna”. The sixth chapter is not really a part of Pirkei Avos. It is a Braisa entitled “The acquisition of Torah” that was appended by Rav Meir after the sealing of the Mishna. The theme of this chapter is Torah...
by Rabbi Sender Haber | May 17, 2015
Ten Utterances The Mishna teaches us that the world was created with “Ten Utterances”. G-d made ten verbal statements that brought the world into being. This is to teach us that the righteous who uphold the world will get reward and the evildoers who destroy it will...
by Rabbi Sender Haber | May 15, 2015
Ben Zoma and Ben Azzai Shimon ben Zoman and Shimon ben Azai were two outstanding scholars in their generation. Both passed away at a young age before they had attained the title of ‘Rabi’. Ben Zoma is noted for his intellect. The Talmud tells us that if someone saw...
by Rabbi Sender Haber | May 8, 2015
After generations of a single ruler, the Jewish People were now led by two great men: Yosi ben Yoezer and Yosi ben Yochanan. They only differed on one Halachic point, but their approaches to Judaism and to leadership were very different. Yosi ben Yoezer said, “Make...
by Rabbi Sender Haber | May 3, 2015
The Holy Tanna, Rabi Shimon Bar Yochai was the author of the Zohar. His Yahrzheit is not a day of mourning but a day of celebration because he taught that on the anniversary of a Tzaddik’s death his soul rises to yet a higher level in heaven. Amidst a discussion about...