Blogs

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

My New Book!

Exciting News! We are very proud to announce that my new book “Sefiros” is at the printer and it will be released next week!

Given my general obsession with finding new tools for spiritual enhancement, the counting of the Omer between Pesach and Shavuos was a natural fertile territory.

Even at its simplest historical level, during these 49 days the People of Israel needed to transform their mentality from slavery to freedom. They had to stop being ordinary and start being kingly. They had only a short time to get ready to become a light to the nation and a moral example to all. These forty nine days became the key to what it means to be a Jew.

We can take advantage of this dynamic energy every year. The Kabbalists helped by teaching us how during each one of the forty-nine days we receive a specific energy through one of the sub-categories of the Sefiros.

Together with my colleague here at TorahLab, Rabbi David Sedley, we discussed, expounded, argued and analyzed every sefirah and sub sefirah and tried to figure out what it means in terms of practical deeds for the day.
Call someone you don’t like calling; dress a bit more modestly; do something for your community school etc. etc. The book was beautifully designed in sefirah multi-color by our own very talented Daniella.

By keeping the 49 day program, by the time Shavuos comes around we should be ready to accept what it means to behave like a Jew.

Sefiros is published by TorahLab and will be distributed in the United States by Judaica Press. It is available at http://www.torahlab.org for an introductory price of $19.95.

We think it is the perfect Pesach present for anyone who wants to experience the spirituality of this awesome time of year.

So, if you are interested in understanding accessing and utilizing the awesome days we are about to approach, please order your copy of Sefiros today.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Jerusalem Needs Help

I’m just making the final rounds Erev Purim to try to help some very worthy and needy families here in Yerushalayim. I bless you with all the wonderful brochos of the Torah. Shalom, gezunt, parnosa, nachas!

As Purim approaches I have been receiving desperate calls from families that just can’t make it on their own. In years past your contribution has made a real difference to them and their children.

All funds raised will be distributed on Purim day to hard working, honest people that I know personally. None of your charity money will go into overhead expenses. We absorb the cost of processing credit cards so whatever amount you give goes directly to help someone in need. Making your contribution in advance of Purim allows me to distribute the funds more efficiently. Please help me help these families. Please make your contribution now.

This is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the Mitzvah of Matanot L’Evyonim.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber

To contribute online: click http://www.torahlab.org/tzedaka. To email a contribution, yhaber@torahlab.org.

To call: (VOIP) 212 561 5131 or + 972 2 644 7308. 

To shmooze with Rabbi Haber: Dial + 972 52 539 5216 (Israel is 6 hours ahead of the United States).

Monday, March 03, 2008

I Hit the Kid! part 2

Everyone is asking for the end of the story.

Friday afternoon, right before Shabbos the kids ran downstairs to my study to tell me ‘the boy is here - the boy is here’.

I came upstairs to find my smiling little friend supported by crutches eager to meet me in perhaps a less engaging fashion. His father, who was standing beside him, explained that they just wanted to show me that ‘everything was okay - Toda La’El.’  He explained to me that I shouldn’t be alarmed by the crutches, the doctor just wanted to keep the pressure off his knee for a couple of days. He thanked me for the plate of candy I sent over the night before. He told me that they were so thrilled with the gift that they all put on Kipaot and together made a Brochah on the candy. It was a celebration of G-ds kindness to them.

He then shared with me a remarkable thing. He told me that from his window he watched his son run wildly down the steps to the street to catch his bus. As he watched the boy run, for the first time that he could remember, he found himself uttering a prayer. ‘Please Elokim - Shelo Tidros" (G-d! Make sure he doesn’t get hurt by a car!) Seconds later his son got hit by my car!

I told the father that I was so wondering what was happening in the Heavens that this boy merited such a miracle. Was it zchut avot? Was this child a future leader of the Jewish people ? Suddenly I understood. His father uttered a prayer.

Does a story ever end?

Yaacov Haber

Thursday, February 28, 2008

I Hit the Kid

Yesterday I experienced the worst moment of my life.

At about 7:55 AM I was driving at a normal speed peacefully down a street in Jerusalem, close to my home. I had driven this street a thousand times before. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a twelve-ish year old boy ran into the street to catch a bus on the other side. He ran right in front of my car.

I hit the boy!

This is not a mashal or a fictitious dramatization to introduce a dvar Torah – I hit the kid! Everyone’s worse nightmare just happened to me. My brakes screeched, I felt the impact, I heard a scream, and the boy went out of my sight. I was afraid what I would find as I got out of the car.

The boy was lying on the ground crying and shivering. He looked at me and said: ‘slichah’ (I’m sorry).

I didn’t know exactly what to do. As I pulled out my cell phone to call an ambulance a crowd of neighbors (my neighbors) gathered, cars stopped, Hatzoloh arrived, his mother arrived in her bathrobe and I was sitting on the ground trying to comfort the child. Within minutes an ambulance came and took Gilad to Hadassah Hospital.  All the judges of the block, including the boy’s mother concurred that I did nothing wrong and that the kid ran straight into traffic. The boy’s mother told me to go home; I left her my phone number and I couldn’t stop shaking.

If you have ever had a doubt that every child has his own angel watching over him, your doubt should end here. My colleague, Rabbi David Sedley, helped me find the mothers cell phone number. I was afraid to call because I was afraid of what I would hear. I called anyway.

“Please don’t worry”, the mother explained to me in Hebrew, “When he fell backward he fell onto his back pack so his head was protected and his neck wasn’t whip lashed. He has no breaks or fractures, no sprains and no cuts. He’s a bit shaken up but he should be fine by the evening and be able to go to school tomorrow. Thank you for comforting the child and telling him he wasn’t bad. Please don’t worry – we’ll be in touch.”

Last night I sent the kid a tray of candy and apparently I had a much more difficult time sleeping than Gilad did. But for the chesed of Hashem … who knows? This situation could have turned out so much worse. Boruch Hashem!

I’m racking my brains. Why did this happen to me? What is the message? What is G-d trying to teach me?

Maybe it’s this: Hitting a child with a car is a very real thing. That moment of impact flashes back into my mind every few minutes. But what about when we insult children? What about when parents or teachers say hurtful things to children that may stay with them for years? What about when parents and teachers do things wrong and shift the blame onto children?

Gilad went to school today but I woke up with a new awareness of the value of a human being. I realized that the more subtle impact of abuse can sometimes do more damage than a Mac truck. It can take far longer to get over. I resolved to drive even more carefully and be more careful with what I say. I will try to do something, even something small, to make sure that we are all more aware of the impact we can have on the delicate physical and spiritual makeup of our children.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber
yhaber@torahlab.org

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

My Friend Jerry Weisberg

“Behold! The dreamer is coming!”

 Since the time of Yaakov Avinu dreamers stood apart. Yosef dreamt and shared his dreams. His holy parents held him in prophetic esteem; his own brothers held him in disdain.  Some saw in him a leader of men with a new dream and a fresh horizon while others couldn’t tolerate change or were overcome with a crippling sense of jealousy.

 Twenty one years ago I was a kiruv worker in my home town of Buffalo, New York. We founded an organization called the Torah Center of Buffalo and little by little a community grew and people from all walks of life joined in.  At that time there was no name for my profession, except for Chabdnik – which didn’t describe me very well. I wasn’t affiliated with any group or movement. For me and the handful of others in my situation, there was no organization to turn to; no chevra to exchange ideas with and to help shoulder burdens; and no funding available from anywhere to help promote the changes in the Jewish people I prayed for everyday. The few of us that were doing community outreach suffered identity crises, loneliness and poverty. 

And then the phone rang. Deep in the middle of a snowy Buffalo winter I received a phone call. “This is Jerry Weisberg – I’m staying in the Red Roof Inn and I’d like to meet with you tonight”.  I didn’t know who Jerry Weisberg was or exactly what he wanted to talk about but following a hunch and a kiruv axiom to never say ‘no’ I found myself sitting across the table with him in an undersized motel room in Buffalo.  He came to help. He told me about Sanford Bernstien, about men and women across the country that were doing similar work to mine and about the possibility of some sort of convention that would bring Kiruv Professionals (this was the first time anyone ever called me a professional) together in one place to talk. As he described his search for men and women with a ‘fire in the belly’ I realized that it was Jerry who was on fire. As he spoke about bringing together people with a dream I realized that Jerry was the dreamer. 

We became friends. My loneliness ended as Jerry introduced me to people around the country. Jerry never missed an opportunity to help me. The Avichai Convention was a hit of historical proportions. There were attendees from the field that broke down in tears as they watched individuals become a community and kiruv become a respectable profession before their very eyes. At that convention outreach suddenly became an option alongside teaching and rabbinic positions. Together Jerry and I pulled together ten good men and with the backing of Avichai founded AJOP. The Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals still exists today, but that’s not what is really important. What is important is that today, Boruch Hashem, the mainstream Yeshivah world is involved in outreach activities on university campuses, in out of town synagogues, in youth groups and where ever G-d is found. Kiruv has become a profession and its workers have become professionals. People in kiruv are not as ignored, not as lonely, and not as poor as they used to be and to a large degree this is because of the dream of Jerry Weisberg. 

As it was with Yosef there were dissenters, jealousy and fear and they caused much pain. But Hashem’s will endured, outreach became a force and there are thousands of Baalei Teshuvah. Hashem chose His shaliach well.  Tonight is the Shloshim for Jerry and there is much to learn from this man. First of all, don’t be afraid to dream – twenty years will tell the story.  Second, if there is a cause you believe in don’t be afraid to give it everything you’ve got. Hashem will help you succeed.  And perhaps most important, be a good friend. Everyone needs a friend like Jerry. 

Yaacov Haber

Yerushalayim

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

We Need Heroes!

To make your Chanukah more meaningful this year we at TorahLab have worked very hard translating anew and annotating the Megillas Antiochus - The Scroll of Antiochus.  This ancient scroll which dates back to the first century B.C.E. is read on Chanukah in many Yemenite and Italian synagogues. It retells the story of the heroic Maccabees and brings to life one of the true lessons of Chanukah; the power of heroism in faith.

Please be our guest in downloading the scroll. Read it with your children and share it with your friends. May this wonderful story of the Jewish people cause your candles to burn brighter than they ever have before.

From My FOREWORD To The Scroll of Antiochus

Like the story of Esther, The Scroll of Antiochus is a story about heroes. In it we learn of individuals who, with their great dedication and conviction, were able to save the Jewish community in Israel, delay the destruction of Yerushalayim by 200 years, and topple the powerful Greek army. The sons of Mattisyahu, grandsons of Yochanan the Kohein Gadol, waged war against Antiochus and his governors and eventually succeeded in toppling the Greek forces.

On Chanukah we celebrate the miracle of quality over quantity. The Talmud (Shabbos 21b), emphasizes the miracle of the oil. After the Greek invasion and defilement of the Second Beis HaMikdash, the victorious Maccabees discovered only a small amount of pure olive oil, sealed with the distinctive seal of purity of the Kohein Gadol. Even though there was only enough oil to light the Menorah in the Beis HaMikdash for one day, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days. The codifiers of the Siddur, in the Al HaNissim prayer, emphasized the miracle of the armed rebellion which is also the subject of Megillas Antiochus.

The lesson of these two main stories is that a little bit of purity can go a very long way. It is not the quantity of the oil that matters; it is the quality of its purity.

The greatest developments in world history did not take place because of large armies or mega corporations. Change for the better is effected by individuals with courage and by heroes of faith. It is not the fire power of an army that wins the battle, but the purity, power and conviction of its cause.

This is the story of the Jewish people. “Not because you are larger than all the nations did God desire you and choose you, for you are the minority of the nations.” (Devarim 7:7). Our ability to be a ‘light unto the nations’ is in direct proportion to the purity of that light.

The scroll that we put before you in this short volume is an ancient historical account of the Chanukah story. The Scroll of Antiochus was originally written in Aramaic. Rabbi Saadia Gaon (ninth century) claimed that the earliest written copy of this scroll can be traced back to the period of Bais Hillel and Bais Shamai, Talmudic scholars who lived one hundred years before the destruction of the Second Beis HaMikdash; approximately 30 BCE. However, in his opinion, the scroll originated one hundred years before that and was originally written by the Maccabees themselves.

For generations it was the custom of communities in Italy and in Yemen to read the Scroll of Antiochus in the synagogue on Chanukah. (see thirteenth century Tosfos Rid; commentary on Talmud Bavli, Sukkah 42) . It is printed in many Siddurim, including Otzar HaTefillos.

The Maccabees, like the oil found in the Beis HaMikdash, were a small drop of purity amongst an enormous amount of contamination.

We need heroes in order to survive as a people. The story of Chanukah is a story of pure spiritual heroism. It is our hope that the republishing of this story with a new and modern translation will serve to inspire purity, integrity and the heroism which we so direly need.

Rabbi Yaacov Haber
Jerusalem
Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5768

Friday, October 19, 2007

Our Latest and Greatest! Rabeinu Yonah on Avos

TorahLab has just published the first ever translation of Rabbeinu Yonah’s commentary on Avos. The TorahLab team, headed by Rabbi David Sedley, has done a remarkable job at adding a significant contribution to Jewish literature and understanding.

A little about the book and its history.

“There were many great Torah authors and many styles of mussar. Not every author can speak to every soul; there are after all so many different types of souls. The exception to this is Rabbeinu Yonah Girondi (and specifically his book on teshuvah). His writings are appropriate to every Jew in every time.” (Rabbi Chaim of Velozhin as quoted by the Chofetz Chaim])

Rabbeinu Yonah came from Girona, in Catalonia. He lived in the thirteenth century, was a grandson and student of the Ramban and the teacher of the Rashba. He is mentioned several times in the commentary of the Tosafos on the Talmud, referred to there as Rabbi Yonah.

He was also considered the most prominent pupil of Rabbi Shlomoh Min HaHor who was the leader of the opponents of Rambam’s philosophical works. As such, he was one of the signers of the infamous ban proclaimed against the Moreh Nevuchim and the Sefer HaMadda in 1233. According to his pupil, Hillel of Verona, Rabbeinu Yonah felt that these editions were philosophically dangerous to the masses and was the instigator of the public burning of Maimonides’ writings by the church in 1233.

Nine years later, in 1242, twenty-four wagon-loads of the Talmud were burned by the church at the very same place where the philosophical writings of Rambam had been destroyed. Rabbeinu Yonah, realized that he made a mistake and publicly admitted in the synagogue of Montpellier that he had been wrong in all his acts against the works and fame of Maimonides.

In his repentance he vowed to travel to Eretz Yisroel and prostrate himself on the grave of the Rambam and implore his pardon in the presence of ten men for seven consecutive days. He left France with that intention, but was detained, first in Barcelona and later in Toledo. He remained in Toledo, and became one of the great Talmudical teachers of his time.

In all his lectures and in his writings he made a point of quoting from Rambam; always mentioning his name with great reverence. Rabbeinu Yonah’s sudden death from a rare disease was considered by many as a consequence of failure to fulfil his vow to journey to the grave of Rambam. He died in Toledo, Spain in November of 1263.

Rabbeinu Yonah wrote a number of works; it is surmised, to atone for his earlier attacks on Rambam and to emphasize his repentance. His Iggeres HaTeshuvah, Shaarei Teshuvah, and Sefer HaYirah are among the most popular ethical treatises in the Judaic library. The Shaarie Teshuvah first appeared in Fano (1505) with the Sefer HaYirah, while the Iggeres HaTeshuvah was first published in Cracow (1586). All have been reprinted many times, separately and together, as well as numerous extracts from them. Rabbeinu Yonah actually wrote many more treatises which were compiled together and published as Shaarei Tzedek; unfortunately most of these writings have been lost.

Rabbi Akiva Eiger commented that he was particularly moved by the mussar works of Rabbeinu Yonah because aside from being a great ethicist, Rabbeinu Yonah was one of the greatest Talmudic scholars of all time as well as a authority on Jewish law. Rabbi Akiva Eiger viewed Rabbeinu Yonah’s mussar comments as legally binding.

Rabbeinu Yonah on Pirkei Avos, presents this exact blend of his abilities. In contrast to the hundreds of commentaries on Pirkei Avos that use the text of Avos as a springboard for homiletic and ethical preaching, Rabbeinu Yonah explains the simple meaning of each Mishnah. This creates a new possibility for inspiration, where one is struck by the beauty and awesome timelessness of the words of the Sages.

We have a very limited number of copies of Rabbeinu Yonah on Pirkei Avos for sale. I strongly recommend you order yours from Torahlab today.

http://www.torahlab.org/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=601

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Sweet Dream

It’s always fun to read a story about yourself. This is a true story as it appears in a new Artscroll book called “Stories For the Jewish Heart” by Rabbi B. Pruzansky. 

I thought I would share it.

Sweet Dreams

One special, golden Shabbos lay ahead on the horizon like a bright little ball of light. Rabbi Yaakov Haber loved the yearly Shabboton that his kollel hosted for the Jews of Melbourne Australia, and as it approached, his anticipation mounted. He loved the opportunity to share this gift of Shabbos with the many Jews who had never experienced it—to watch them slowly unwrap this gift and marvel at its beauty. Each facet of it - candle-lighting, Kiddush, blessing the children, davening, zemiros—brought renewed wonder to their eyes, and often, tears of joy as well.

Indeed, Shabbos itself was enough to move their hearts. But to penetrate their minds, to arouse an understanding of the Torah’s truth and perfection - that was another task entirely. And that task fell to Rabbi Haber. This year, as in years past, he would choose one topic and explore different aspects of it in the six seminars he would give throughout Shabbos. It had to be just right - an inspiring topic, illuminating sources and a crystal clear presentation. He dared not squander this brief, wide-open window of opportunity to inspire the audience that would be sitting before him, their souls silently longing to be reconnected with Hashem.

In this particular year, Rabbi Haber chose the topic of kedusha - living a life of holiness - as his theme. As the date of the Shabbaton approached, he began to research the topic and prepare his material for the seminar. Gradually, however, a sense of frustration began to build in him. Certainly, kedushah was explored and expounded upon in many sources, but something crucial was missing. There was the kind of insight that would make a person nod his head and say, “Oh, I see.” And then there was the kind that is like a ray of light—penetrates a person’s being and illuminates everything within him. That was the kind of insight Rabbi Haber needed to find, and he doggedly pursued it day after day.

Finally, time had nearly run out. It was the Shabbos before the Shabbaton, and he still hadn’t found what he was seeking. Inside him, he churned with anxiety, like an actor who had failed to learn his lines and was now awaiting his cue to step onto the stage. What would he have to offer these people who had come to be inspired by him?

He knew that this problem would not let him to sleep. He needed help, and he sought it. Before he went to bed that night, he unburdened his heart to Hashem, begging Him to please give him the wisdom and understanding to properly understand the meaning of kedusah. Having removed the load from his own shoulders, he finally felt he could relax. For the first time in several nights, he went right to sleep.

There, in the mysterious realm of dreams, he met an old man whose face was framed by a long, silky white beard. “What is wrong?” he gently asked.

Rabbi Haber explained that he was scheduled to give a seminar next week on kedusha, and yet, despite his diligent efforts, he still did not fully grasp the concept. He was terribly worried that his seminar would not be successful, and his chance to inspire all of these fellow Jews would be lost.

“Don’t worry,” the old rabbi reassured him. “I will help you. I will teach you all that you need to know.”

The rabbi began to expound upon kedusha. He patiently explained to his student six profound aspects of the topic, each with complete clarity.

When Rabbi Haber awoke the next morning, he nearly bounded from his bed. His entire being was charged with joy. Hashem had answered his tefillah, depositing the wisdom he longed for directly into his head. Except - what was it the rabbi had told him? The intricately woven threads of logic began to unravel in his hands and—like the dream itself—to dissipate into thin air. The more he tried to grasp the shreds of what remained, the farther away they receded.

He left for Shacharis. It was his custom as he entered the shul to take a sefer from the bookcase to keep with him during davening. In the time between Torah readings, he would open it and learn. On this morning, the sefer he happened to choose was called “Nesivos Sholom,” which was written by Rav Shalom Noach Berzovsky, the renowned Slonimer Rebbe.

The davening progressed, and the time came when there was a brief lull. Rabbi Haber opened the sefer like someone opening a letter, eager to find out what it has to say. To his amazement, the topic before him was none other than kedusha. As he scanned the words before his eyes, he felt a shock of recognition. This was it - the elusive dream, the six intricate explanations that had flooded him with joy and then receded beyond reach. They were here, in this sefer that was written by the Slonimer Rebbe and placed in his hand by Hashem Himself.

Rabbi Haber’s seminar was a tremendous success. Through his beautiful presentation, the audience had their eyes open to the soaring insights of the Slominer Rebbe and the complex subject of kedushah. But the most remarkable part of the whole event, in Rabbi Haber’s eyes, was Hashem’s direct answer to his tefillah.

Some time later, Rabbi Haber traveled to Eretz Yisrael, and high on his agenda was a visit to the holy Slonimer Rebbe whose Torah had illuminated his eyes. In fact, the Rebbe had already heard the story of Rabbi Haber’s dream from one of his chassidim who had visited Melbourne. He was eager to meet Rabbi Haber, and so a meeting was set.

“Tell me all the details of your dream,” the Rebbe urged when Rabbi Haber arrived at their meeting.

Rabbi Haber repeated everything he remembered, and as he spoke, a great smile spread across the Rebbe’s face.

“When I wrote the sefer *Nesivos Shalom,* I expended all of my energy to produce a fine work,” the Rebbe explained. “I had considered whether or not I should get a haskamah (a letter of endorsement). In the end I decided not to pursue it because I realized that I wouldn’t be able to find someone who was studying the topics in my sefer in as much depth as I had gone. But I have always felt distress that I did not get the customary haskamah. Now you have told me about your dream, and I see that Shomayim has chosen to answer your tefillah with my insights into kedusha. I see that Shomayim has agreed to the truth of my insights, and you have relieved me of all of my worries. Thank you so much.

As he left his meeting with this holy Jew, enveloped by his warmth and inspired by his ways, Rabbi Haber knew he had now completed his study of kedushah.

It sounds like a story of the Gedolim of old, but this is a miracle that happened in our own times. It reaffirms our belief that Hashem can answer any prayer at any time.