Rabbi Levi A. Olan: The Conscience of the City

“If we could meet God, we might ask Him the same question which Jeremiah put to Him. Why do the righteous suffer and why do the wicked prosper?” It is not an uncommon thought that …

“Maybe we should add an eleventh commandment—‘love thyself.’” In this sermon delivered on December 17, 1967, Rabbi Olan is concerned with the effects of mass market consumer culture on personal integrity.  According to Rabbi Olan, …

“Neither shalt thou make marriage with them… so will the anger of thy Lord be kindled against you, and He will destroy thee quickly.” Deuteronomy 7:3-4 Thus the Book of Deuteronomy answers the question of …

“A generation goes and a generation comes.” Rabbi Olan starts this sermon, delivered November 26, 1967, with the observation that “the world… is in constant evolution.  Nothing stands still.”  That makes youthful rebellion expectable, even …

“It is not too difficult to sympathize with God as He looks upon men* acting selfishly, deceitfully, in pride, with cruelty, and always with indifference. That He should conclude to wipe out the experiment and …

“…honest men must speak and speak loudly when a crucial moral issue is at stake.” If today’s deeply divided national outlook concerns you, it should. If you think that the rigid polarization of the United …

“Happy is the man who… does not sit in the seat of the scornful.”  Psalms 1.1 In this sermon of November 5, 1967, Rabbi Olan contrasts the stance of scoffing at all morality and faith …

“If the world is just a machine which is bereft of purpose and meaning, then what can there be except terror, hopelessness, and defeat?” In this sermon of October 29, 1967, Rabbi Olan returns to …

“For those who love, there is no escape from grief.” On October 22, 1967 Rabbi Olan spoke to his radio audience about a difficult topic: the inevitability of loss and the helpful role that grieving …