Zechariah Pesach Haber z”l was a multi-talented man, who had made Aliyah from the USA with his family at the age of eight. He studied plants, and specialized in the genetics of wild wheat in the research for his doctorate from Tel Aviv University. Zechariah read widely, and in particular was a Talmid Chacham who wrote Torah writings during his time studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion, and continued to give Torah shiurim when he had moved on to the academic world. He combined his knowledge and love of the land with his love of his family, and would travel with them across the country. He is remembered by all as someone wise, smiling, energetic and helpful.
When he was called to reserve duty after the October 7th attack, he arrived ready to defend his country. He fell in Gaza on the 6th of Shevat 5784, and is survived by his wife, three children, parents, siblings and an extended family and many friends who will continue to remember him with love and longing.
Ten years ago, Zechariah wrote this piyut for Shavuot. He felt that while many sang zemirot on Shabbat, there weren’t enough songs sung for chagim, and he hoped his piyut would encourage others to sing and write songs for the chagim.
The first of your harvest, come reap
After measuring a full seven weeks
That you may mark your counting complete
Ending the time that for students we did weep
וּקְצַרְתֶּם אֶת קְצִירָהּ
מוֹנִים שָׁבוּעוֹת שִׁבְעָה
לְקַיֵּם סְפִירָה תְּמִימָה
עַל תַּלְמִידָיו נוֹגַהּ
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה
A rope around the first fruits he is tying
Let us go, arise, to where the Leviim sing
“My father was a fugitive Aramean,” recounting
These bikkurim leave the threshing-floor pure and clean
קוֹשְׁרוֹ בְּגֶמִי וְאוֹמֵר
קוּמוּ וְנַעֲלֶה לַמְשׁוֹרֵר
אֲרַמִּי אֹבֵד מְסַפֵּר
יֵשׁ בּוֹ גֹּרֶן לֹא אוֹסֵר
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה
To the nation whose heart is as one
From God who in giving, his self has given
Another two tablets of transmission
Learning at their feast, to make up for sleeping
כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד בְּלֵב
אָנָּא נַפְשִׁי כְּתִיבַת יַהֶב
עִם שְׁנֵי לוּחוֹת הִתְיַצֵּב
לוֹמֵד בַּנֶּשֶׁף אַחַר הַסֵּב
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה
God asks of his children dear
When the days of the harvest-judgment appear
The true end of Pesach is near
A time of white linens, of joyous atmosphere
בְּבַקָּשָׁה מִכֶּם בָּנִים
עַל פֵּרוֹת מַעֲשִׂים
עִם שִׁבְעָה מוּל שִׁבְעִים
מִקְרָא שִׂמְחָה וּלְבָנִים
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה
Let all Jews come and attend
With offerings, of two ma’ot to extend
Which may be offered up to day seven
In memory of our sacrifices, let our prayers ascend
יֵרָאֶה כָּל זְכוּרְךָ
שְׁתֵּי מָעוֹת מָעָה
מְעוּוָּת יָתְקוֹן שִׁבְעָה
אִסְרוּ חַג לַמִּטָּה
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה
May it be your will, my Lord
Creator enthroned on high, adored
Let joy and gladness be our reward
And our Messiah be restored
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלִּפְנֵי
יוֹשֵׁב מָרוֹם – הַבּוֹרֵא
לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה יִהְיֶה
וְנֵצֶר מִשָּׁרָשָׁיו יִפְרֶֽה
From the time that your harvesting grain has begun
Offer it to God beneath the afternoon sun
מֵהָחֵל חֶרְמֵשׁ בַּקָּמָה
בְּהַקְרִיבְכֶם מִנְחָה חֲדָשָׁה