“Life’s uncertainties and frustrations, its bewilderments and mystery gives rise to the notion that what will be will be, it is fate.” Doris Day’s 1956 hit song, “Qué Será, Será,” was on Rabbi Olan’s mind …
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Those Who Say “What Will Be Will Be”
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The Book of Lamentations—The Unyielding Believer
“The virgin Israel is fallen, She shall no more rise; She is cast down upon her land, There is none to raise her up.” In this sermon Rabbi Olan discusses the Book of Lamentations, a …
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The Book of Ruth—The True Love
“The Bible reflects the whole of life, speaking in moods cynical and doubting, as well as those of love and faith.” In this sermon, Rabbi Olan discusses the different kinds of love…love between men and …
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The Honest Doubter
“The Book of Job is one of the most majestic pieces of writing in all of literature.” In this sermon, Rabbi Olan walked his listeners through the ancient story told in the Book of Job. …
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A Gentle Cynic
“The gentle cynic of the Bible has no message for the oppressed and the beaten of life as do the Prophets.” In his sermon of January 27, 1963, Rabbi Olan starts from the view of …
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Pity the Poor Parent Today
“Our time is full of experts who write and lecture us on how to be proper and helpful parents. But we are not helped and we do not change because the fault lies at a …
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How Can We Believe In God In a World Like This?
“It is not easy to believe in God. There are times when it does not seem ‘good to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises to His name.’” In this sermon, Rabbi Olan gets …
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The Greatest Story Ever Told
“The story of Jacob is surely a leading candidate for the greatest story ever told. It is one of the most universal of all stories unfolding the struggle of a man against his fears and …
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Faith That Is Doing
“In the Prophetic view God is a law-giver, the author of both physical and moral law. The violation of either can prove fatal.” As 1962 drew to a close, Rabbi Olan spoke challenging words to …
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America – The Dream and the Image
“We will be free when we worship the God who made us instead of the gods we make.” In his sermon of December 16, 1962, “AMERICA – The Dream and the Image,” Rabbi Olan begins …
Rabbi Levi A. Olan: The Conscience of the City 