Omaha City Council - A Lesson from MaimonidesThe Omaha City Council began a debate on Tuesday around the increased problem of “aggressive panhandling”. In rabbinical school I would often find myself walking the few blocks from my apartment to the seminary, behind one of my most beloved and well respected professors. I noticed that he always had change in his pockets and almost always would give to those individuals on the street who asked for money. What was peculiar was that those … [Read more...]
Sukkot – Stop and Smell the Roses
Sukkot - Stop and Smell the RosesAfter being stuck inside for the past few weeks both preparing for and taking part in the High Holy Days, it is a welcome change to be forced to step outside into nature. This great article from The Atlantic points out the importance of taking some time everyday to step outside and enjoy the world God has created. … [Read more...]
Over the holiday of Sukkot we are supposed to invite ushpizin (guests in Aramaic) into our sukkah. From Abraham Isaac and Jacob to Sarah Rebecca Rachel and Leah. Which personality or figure from history would you most like to meet and invite into your sukkah? … [Read more...]
http://rabbistevenabraham.com/over-the-holiday-of-sukkot-we-are-supposed-to/
Hajj Stampede Near Mecca Leaves Over 700 Dead
Hajj Stampede Near Mecca Leaves Over 700 DeadWhen I first heard the news of this tragedy my mind went straight to a story told in the Talmud. Every morning, when the Temple stood, the ashes would need to be removed from the offerings made the previous day. I imagine this was seen as a relatively lowly task and so not much thought was put into deciding who would get the “honor” of removing the ashes. Then we hear a story (23a) where two men are racing up the ramp to get to altar when one … [Read more...]
Yom Kippur 5776 – What Happens After We Die
I believe we all have, on some level, thought about the question of “what comes next?” For me the question came front and center a year and half ago. Many of you know that while Shira was pregnant with Leor both of my mother’s parents passed away. We honored their memories by naming our son, Leor Ezra, after my grandparents, Lee and Roz. Both of my grandparents were incredible people, full of love and laughter, and deeply committed to Judaism. We trust that Leor will inherit his … [Read more...]
Kol Nidrei 5776 – The Ever Changing Synagogue
It was the year 70 CE and the Second Temple in Jerusalem was under siege by the Roman Legions. Before the Romans breach the walls of the city, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, one of the leading rabbinic figures of the time, and his students decide to abandon the spiritual and governmental capital of the Judean state. To give up Jerusalem, even while the Temple is still standing. Ben Zakkai knew there was an agreement made with the Roman soldiers, that every night the dead were moved outside the city … [Read more...]
Rosh Hashanah 5776 – The 11th Commandment – Thou Shalt Disconnect
In October 2010, a well-known comedy writer by the name of David Javerbaum created a twitter account entitled the tweet of God. For some giving a voice on twitter, of all places, to the creator of the heavens and earth may seen heretical but when you realize that twitter has 241 million active users, perhaps twitter is a more useful form of communication than trying to talk to your flock in church or synagogue. The “Tweet of God”, which has over 2 million followers, has become so popular that it … [Read more...]
What We Talk about When We Talk about Israel
I don’t recall exactly when it happened, one of those things that occurs when you are not looking and can’t remember when it wasn’t this way. What I know is that it happened and at some point talking about Israel became exhausting. It shouldn’t be…it doesn’t have to be…but most times it is.It’s exhausting because the conversation isn’t about our love of a place, our a connection to a people. Israel has turned into an issue as opposed to an idea. It has become a litmus test of someone’s … [Read more...]
Parashat Bamidbar
Who Shall Live & Who Shall Die – The Death Penalty in Jewish LawRabbi Steven AbrahamOn Wednesday the Nebraska Legislature voted 32-15 to repeal the death penalty, a move that would replace lethal injection with life imprisonment. Over the past few weeks many have claimed that God, and by extension the Bible, gives society the ability to put to death those who have committed crimes so egregious that prison is simply not enough. Those who read the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, know that the … [Read more...]
Opening the door for Elijah
Shabbat Tzav 5775Since I was a child I was fascinated with the prophet Elijah. As a child I remember staring at the Cup of Elijah sitting on our Seder table looking for any of the wine to disappear, proof the prophet had stopped by our home. In addition to being present on Passover Elijah is also present at a host of other Jewish ritual events, most notably Brit Milah, the Passover Seder, and the conclusion of Shabbat to name but a few. On Passover we open the door for Elijah for whom we believe … [Read more...]