By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – August 13, 2011

How often do we say, “If only I had that (whatever it is), I would be happy.” “If only the situation was like that, I would be happy.” “If only that happened, I would be happy”?… More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – October 1, 2011

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, is a joyful day when we wish one another a good year, but it is also an occasion of solemn reflection.

It is amazing, everything that can happen in just … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – October 29, 2011

Sometimes we throw words around without considering the effect they may have on others. But once words are spoken, it is impossible to take them back. Who hasn’t been affected by the power of words? How … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – December 17, 2011

The festival of Hanukkah takes place this year from December 20 to December 28, and celebrates the struggle for national and religious freedom fought by our ancestors 22 centuries ago.

At that time, the land of … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – January 7, 2012

When searching for happiness, joy or meaning in life, we sometimes look too far in the distance, rather than within or around us.

I’m reminded of a story told by the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, about … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – March 10, 2012

We  know that a straight line is the shortest way between two points.  But is that always the best way?  We read in the Hebrew Bible that when the Israelites left slavery in Egypt some 3,200 … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – May 5, 2012

Today, we read one of the most well-known verses in the Hebrew Bible: “”Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). The commandment “to love” occurs three times in the Hebrew Bible. First, love your neighbor as … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – July 21, 2012

Sometimes we misjudge others by reaching hasty conclusions based on stereotypes and appearances. We fail to consider new facts and changed circumstances, and instead hold onto faulty perspectives restricted by our past opinions. We misjudge others … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – August 11, 2012

Several years ago, I read a newspaper interview with Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni, in which he recalled his life and his films. In one passage of that article, he mentioned a story by Franz Kafka, … More

By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by the Omaha World Herald – September 1, 2012

Our celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, begins on September 16. This holiday marks the beginning of a ten-day period known as the “Days of Awe” or the “Ten Days of Repentance, which culminates … More