Rabbi Abrams Blog

  Here's a little refresher on Chanukah mitzvahs.  Menorah's should be candle or better yet olive oil.  All of the candles should be in a straight line (not wavy or different heights- besides for the shamash).  Best time to light is after sundown (doesn't have to be totally dark), on each night of Chanukah (besides for Friday that we light before sundown, and Sat night after it's totally dark).  Menorah should be next to a door or window.  Let's bring more light to a world that needs it so! Earlier this week, Morah Tiferes shared a beautiful story on Facebook.  Even though I already had written a beautiful story that happened to me and a friend of mine, I'll save that for another week, because this is too good to let pass.   A young man named Avrumel Greenbaum lost his entire family in the Holocaust. After the war, he came to America and wanted nothing to do with Judaism. He was no longer Avrumel Greenbaum; now he was Aaron Green. He moved to...

  What do I feel thankful for?  For many people, Thanksgiving is a cherished moment in time.  It's an opportunity to spend time with the people closest to them, and share a real, three course meal together.  For that same reason, to many others, it is a time of loneliness.  Think of all the people who don't have anyone close to share this special time with.  Worse, some people have close family to spend it with, but choose to spend the holiday with friends because they don't feel comfortable with their family.  Possibly the only thing worse is indeed spending time with family, but loathing every moment of it.  I am thankful to have a family and I'm doubly thankful that I love spending time with them.  Even better, I feel thankful that this special feeling of togetherness is not just a once a year affair, but a weekly one!  As I went shopping this morning, I could see people's shopping baskets full, in the holiday spirit....

Do you appreciate feedback?  Do you promote a culture of truth in your circles?  How about criticism? Basically this is how life works:  we all have things about us that we're blind to. Not just shortcomings.  I'm talking about areas that we don't see about ourselves.  Some people can't answer questions straight.  Some people can't finish their sentences.  Some people come across as rude, angry, uninterested or cruel, and they just don't see it!  Some people come across as very anxious.  They look paranoid and get overwhelmed very easily.  We may halfheartedly pledge allegiance to some shortcoming, but in truth have no clue about this part of ourselves. Parenthetically, or maybe not parenthetically, this blind spot will become exacerbated as the pressures of life (marriage, children, money) kick in.  When you're super stressed, overwhelmed or angry, you'll be completely blind to yourself and say and do really stupid t...

Which kind of family are you from?  I bring up this issue now because almost a week ago, eleven of our brothers and sisters were murdered in cold blood.  Naturally, as family, we think of each other and turn to each other for support.  I've received a flood of emails this week from the Jewish and non-Jewish community alike, in an out pour of love and care.  People thanked us for being here, expressing their concerns and renewed their commitment to the community by offering to help.  My neighbor let me know that he's keeping in eye out for us and that he has my back, as well a visit from the police department, just to let us know that they care.  This was truly a week of unity.  Facebook posts were circulating, about the words of this monster.  As he stormed the Tree of Life, he declared, "All Jews must die".  Tiferes pointed out that he didn't single out conservative, orthodox or reform Jews, and instead declared that we all deserve to d...