The mission of this blog is to stimulate interest in the deeply perceptive and still-relevant teachings of Levi A. Olan (1903-1984) by sharing from the Levi A. Olan Sermons and Images at Bridwell Library Digital Collection. The title "Conscience of the City" was applied to Rabbi Olan by a Fortune magazine reporter in 1964. Although Olan's city was Dallas, his thought transcends locality. Our goal is to...
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Science is Not Enough
“The sickness of modern man is caused by the imbalance of a strong science and a terribly weak religion, great power but no control.” On February 25, 1962 #RabbiOlan preached on science and religion. Just …
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Can a Modern Man Pray?
“Prayer is neither magic nor miracle. In its basic nature it is a quest, an attempt to cross the bridge from our desires to the great spiritual reality which is embedded in life itself. ” …
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Levi Olan with his sister, Bertha, in 1925
Photograph of Levi Olan with his sister in August of 1925. Bertha Olan (1908-1985) married Jack Cravets. They lived in Rochester, New York, where Bertha served as the librarian at Temple B’rith Kodesh. Image courtesy …
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What is Right, and What is Wrong?
“There have been other ages confused about what is right and what is wrong, but could any of them have been as hopelessly bewildered as we are today?” “Certainly, among nations, we must very soon …
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If a Man Dies, Shall He Live Again?
“It is impossible to escape the thought that [humanity] is equipped for more than just life here on earth. We do not know what that more is and we may never know, but its essence …
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A Skeptic’s Faith
"Faith is not living by what you absolutely know to be true; rather, it is to risk everything on a great adventure into the unknown." While the thrust of Rabbi Olan's sermon on January 28, 1962 was about religious faith, it's interesting to put the timing of his discussion on faith and skepticism into historical context. The day before...
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Is There Really a God?
"Religion is essentially psychological and not theological, which is to say, that such practices as worship and prayer exist whether there is or there is not God." On January 21, 1962, Rabbi Olan didn't shy away from the challenging and fundamental notions about...
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Whether my neighbor likes it or not, I must please God
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Levi Olan and his sister, Bertha, in 1942
Image courtesy of Bonnie C. Yankaskas.
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Good Will—The Fact and the Illusion
“The most threatening danger of our times is prejudice, the most urgent need is for good will, not as a pious article of faith, but as a specific and concrete act.” On January 14, 1962, …
