By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Hanukkah is the festival which celebrates the regaining of Jewish religious and political independence in the land of Israel. Our ancestors liberated Jerusalem from Greek occupation in 164 B.C.E. When they entered the temple they found enough olive oil to fuel the menorah – the seven-branched … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
It is amazing, everything that can happen in just one year — the good and the bad. On the upcoming High Holy Days, when we will look back on the year that ended and look forward to year ahead, we will be particularly aware of the … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
The moral value which states that adult children should care for their elderly parents is deep-rooted in Judaism. The commandment of honoring parents is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12): “Honor your father and mother. You will then live long on the land that God … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
For many, the blowing of the shofar – a ram’s horn prepared for use as a musical instrument – is one of the most moving moments of the High Holy Days services. It is one of the earliest musical instruments known to man that is still in … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
I recently read the moving story of a 91-year-old Dutch Jew who celebrated his bar mitzvah ceremony last month at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
He was the child of an assimilated family living in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Judaism was only part of their family’s past, not … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
The Torah is the foundational text of Judaism. The Torah scroll is our most revered physical possession. When it is lifted after it has been read during the religious service, the congregation chants “vezot haTorah asher sam Mosheh lifnei benei Israel al pi Adonai, beyad … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
When people think of Jewish symbols, which one comes to mind first? For most people, it is probably the Magen David, the familiar hexagram or six-pointed star, consisting of two interlocking triangles.
The Magen David – literally “Shield of (King) David” – is now the most … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
It is well known that Americans are a religious people, but a recent survey showed that this does not necessarily mean they know much about religion. Researchers from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life interviewed some 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about … 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