by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | May 30, 2013
We’ve already discussed the bowing and bouncing parts of Prayer. Now let us take a look at the Shuckle. The Gemara in Berachos 31a asserts that many Halachos of Prayer, and specifically Shemonah Esrei, are learnt from the prayer of Chana in the Mishkan, as...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Feb 17, 2013
The Ramchal writes (Derech Hashem Chap. 7), in explaining the Moadim, that the Jewish calendar is cyclical, not linear. Therefore, the events that took place during each of the Yomim Tovim made an indelible impression on the calendar cycle, and when the cycle comes...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Jan 24, 2013
What follows is based on Rabbi SR Hirsch. I wrote it in my own words, and have not done him full justice. Why do we celebrate the Rosh Hashanah of the trees in the middle of the bleak, cold, lifeless winter? The Gemara explains – Since most of the rains have already...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Dec 12, 2012
Even though we usually light Chanukah candles once it’s dark, obviously that is impossible on Friday, we therefore have to light before dark. We will discuss some of the associated Halachos. The Shulchan Aruch rules (679) that one should first light Chanukah candles...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Nov 19, 2012
As Diaspora Jews, having been through exile after harsh exile, and particularly in the post Holocaust generations, we are ever so thankful for the United States of America. Although each exile comes with its particular set of challenges and obstacles, the physical and...
