By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Jerusalem has national and religious significance to the Jewish people. This significance is first shown in the Hebrew Bible, as the name “Jerusalem” is mentioned 658 times; “Zion” – one of the hills of Jerusalem – is mentioned 175 times; and “City of (King) David” is … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
The following facts have long been unacceptable to many Arabs: that the land of Israel is the Jewish people’s ancestral homeland; it is where we had a Jewish kingdom for centuries; there is now a Jewish state within Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Even after … More
A Selection from My Favorite Jewish Sources
Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Eruvin 54a
Rav said to Rabbi Hamnuna: My son, if you have the means, treat yourself well. For in sheol there is no delight, and death is not to be postponed. Should you say, “I will make provisions for my … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
The evening of June 1, 2019 will mark the beginning of Shavuot, the festival that celebrates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai 32 centuries ago. The holiday is called Z’man Matan Toratenu, the season of the giving of the Torah.… More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance, which culminates on Yom Kippur. These 10 days are referred to as Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, or Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, the Ten Days of Repentance.
The High Holidays – as … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Many of us run from one place to another, trying to keep up with schedules, appointments and various responsibilities. For many, life resembles an unending and exhausting daily marathon.
Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav (1772-1811) told the following story. Once upon a time, from his window that … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Judaism is the religion of ethical monotheism, a system of religious beliefs and practices, and the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people, which highlights the belief in God, the observance of the commandments, the study of Torah and the importance of community.
It can give … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
In the town of Zippori in the heart of the Lower Galilee , a street peddler was heard, crying out, “Who wishes to buy the elixir of life?” (Vayikra Rabba 16:2). Rabbi Yannai (3rd Century) was sitting in his academy studying when he heard the peddler’s … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Ambition can be viewed from different perspectives. On one hand, ambition motivates us to eventually reach our goals. But on the other hand, ambition for the sake of ambition can be a negative, and may drive people to the dark corners of jealousy, dishonesty, and even … More
A Selection from my Favorite Jewish Sources
Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Tanakh, Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them (Adam and Eve) and said: be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
Shemot Rabbah 46:5
He who brings up a child is called “Father,” not he who merely begot him.
Talmud, Yevamot … More
Rabbi Levin 
is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Munster, IN. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, and is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly. In 2010, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City for his years of dedicated service to the Conservative movement and the Jewish community...Full bio