Norman Lamm
Rabbi Norman Lamm | |
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Norman Lamm (December 19, 1927 – May 31, 2020) was an American
Lamm served as the third President of
Early life and education
Lamm was one of four siblings and grew up in
Lamm's maternal grandfather was Rabbi Yehoshua Baumol (1880–1948), who authored the responsa entitled Emek Halakha. In that work, Baumol cited several insights from the then-young Lamm and responded to his questions.[5] It was Baumol who encouraged Lamm to leave Mesivta Torah Vodaath to attend Yeshiva College, where Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik would become his mentor.[1]
Career
Lamm spent almost 25 years as a pulpit rabbi. He was the Assistant Rabbi to Rabbi
In 1958, Lamm helped founded Tradition, an academic journal of Modern Orthodox thought.[8][1] He also launched the Torah U-Madda Journal.[1]
He obtained his Ph.D. in 1966 and was elected President of Yeshiva University in August 1976—succeeding Rabbi Samuel Belkin, YU's second president.[9][1] When he took over the institution, he helped save it from looming bankruptcy, raised its endowments, and led the school to a national top-100 school ranking.[1] Lamm also played important roles in Jewish scholarship. At a time when ArtScroll was in financial trouble, Lamm introduced the publisher to philanthropist Jerome Schottenstein. The introduction led to the financial support from Schottenstein, whose namesake was bestowed on the Schottenstein English translation of the Babylonian Talmud.[1]
Personal life
Lamm was married to Mindella, who died of COVID-19 on April 16, 2020, at the age of 88.[1] At the time of his death in May 2020, Lamm had two sons, Shalom and Joshua, and a daughter, Chaye Warburg. He had a second daughter, Sara Lamm Dratch, who died in 2013. He was also survived by 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.[1]
Theology
As a Modern Orthodox Jew, Lamm's
Torah Umadda
One of Lamm's major contributions was as a proponent of the idea of "Torah Umadda" - "Torah and modern culture, or more generally, the environing culture of our days" - a philosophical paradigm which aims at the confrontation of Torah learning and secular knowledge. He argued that the underlying philosophy of Torah Umadda is inspired by the work of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in the mid 19th century in response to the Enlightenment. He states that Torah Umadda and Hirsch's Torah im Derech Eretz are to a large extent complementary - both value the acquisition of secular knowledge and both demand adherence to halakha.[citation needed]
Centrist Orthodoxy
Lamm was a well-known voice of "Modern Orthodoxy" (which is also known as Centrist Orthodoxy), regarding itself as the "center" between the "left-wing" branches of Orthodox Judaism, such as Rabbi Avi Weiss's "Open Orthodoxy," and right-wing" movements such as Haredi Judaism. (Some writers have suggested a difference between the two terms "Modern" and "Centrist" Judaism — something Lamm dismissed as artificial.)
Relationship with non-Orthodox Judaism
Lamm was a strong critic of Reform Judaism's attempt to unilaterally redefine Jewishness. In response to their declaration that a person can be considered Jewish with only a Jewish father and not a Jewish mother (in contrast with Rabbinic Judaism's traditional stance that Judaism is passed on matrilineally, i.e., you are born Jewish if your mother is Jewish), Lamm stated that this was "The single most irresponsible act in contemporary Jewish history."[10] Nonetheless, he has worked over the years to keep lines of communication open between Orthodox and Reform Judaism, in the hopes that Jewish unity can be maintained. Lamm was a proponent of working with Reform and Conservative Judaism in the now-defunct Synagogue Council of America.
In a lecture before Klal, a "mixed" group of rabbis, he maintained that non-Orthodox rabbis are "valid" spiritual leaders of their congregants, whereas the Orthodox are "legitimate" religious leaders. "Valid" comes from the
While strongly disagreeing with the theology and religious practices of non-Orthodox forms of Judaism, Lamm was one of the most outspoken leaders in Orthodoxy for cooperation with Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism. In 1989 and 1990 Israeli Prime Minister
All negotiating parties came to an agreement that: (1) Conversions must be carried out according to halakha, (2) the beit din overseeing the conversion would be Orthodox, perhaps appointed by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and (3) there would be a committee consisting of representatives of all three groups to interview potential converts as to their sincerity. Many Reform rabbis took offense at the notion that the beit din must be strictly halakhic and Orthodox, but they acquiesced. However, when word about this project became public, a number of leading Haredi rabbis issued a statement denouncing the project, condemning it as a "travesty of halakha". Rabbi Moshe Sherer, then the Chairman of Agudath Israel World Organization, stated that "Yes, we played a role in putting an end to that farce, and I'm proud we did."[11] Lamm condemned this interference by Sherer, stating that this was "the most damaging thing that he [Sherer] ever did in his brilliant forty-year career."
Lamm wanted this to be only the beginning of a solution to Jewish disunity. He stated that had this unified conversion plan not been destroyed, he wanted to extend this program to the area of halakhic Jewish divorces, thus ending the problem of mamzerut.[11]
In 1997 the issue of "Who is a Jew?" again arose in the
- Rabbi Lamm told his listeners that they should value and encourage the efforts of non-Orthodox leaders to more seriously integrate traditional Jewish practices into the lives of their followers. They should welcome the creation of Conservative and Reform day schools and not see them as a threat to their own. In many communities, Orthodox day schools, or Orthodox-oriented community day schools, have large numbers of students from non-Orthodox families. The liberal movements should be appreciated and encouraged because they are doing something Jewish, even if it is not the way that Orthodox Jews would like them to, he said. "What they are doing is something, and something is better than nothing," he said in his speech. "I'm very openly attacking the notion that we sometimes find in the Orthodox community that 'being a goy is better'" than being a non-Orthodox Jew, he said in an interview.[12]
In his speech Seventy Faces, Lamm warns his listeners that there will be an "unbridgeable and cataclysmic rupture within the Jewish community" unless Jews from all the denominations, including Orthodoxy, listen to each other and try to find a way to work together. In this speech (now an essay) he rejects maximal ideas of
Views on abiogenesis, evolution and science
Originally trained as a scientist, Lamm maintained an interest in the interface between science and Judaism. In his 1971 essay "The religious implications of extraterrestrial life," Lamm writes about scientific developments concerning abiogenesis and evolution, the creation of life on Earth, and the then-developing scientific consensus that life could possibly evolve on other planets outside of the Solar System (i.e. extraterrestrial life). He writes:
- ... the fact remains that most of the highly respected scientists of our day, eminent in their fields, do believe that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe...
- No religious position is loyally served by refusing to consider annoying theories which may well turn out to be facts. Torah is "a Torah of truth," and to hide from the facts is to distort that truth into a myth. Of course, it must be repeated that the theories here under discussion have not (yet) been established as true. But they may be: and Judaism will then have to confront them as it has confronted what men have considered the truth throughout the generations.
- Maimonides, over eight centuries ago, was faced with the widely accepted Aristotelian theory of the eternity of the universe, which ostensibly contradicted the Biblical conception of creation in time. Maimonides demonstrated that Aristotle had not conclusively proved the eternity of matter and that since eternity and creation were philosophically equally acceptable alternatives, he preferred to accept creation since this theory was the one apparently taught in Genesis. Nevertheless, Maimonides averred, were the Aristotelian theory convincingly proven, he would have accepted it and reinterpreted the verses in Genesis to accommodate the theory of the eternity of matter.
- It is this kind of position which honest men, particularly honest believers in God and Torah, must adopt at all times, and especially in our times. Conventional dogmas, even if endowed with the authority of an Aristotle – ancient or modern – must be tested vigorously. If they are found wanting, we need not bother with them. But if they are found to be substantially correct, we may not overlook them. We must then use the newly discovered truths the better to truly understand our Torah – the "Torah of truth."[13]
Lamm's writings on this subject are prominently featured in the "What Is Out There?" featurette, on disk two of the two-disc special edition of
Writings
Lamm was the author of 10 books, and edited or co-edited over 20 volumes.[1]
In 1971 Lamm wrote Faith and Doubt: Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought, which was released in a second edition in 1986 and a third and up-dated edition in 2006. This book is a personal examination of his religious beliefs.
In the 1980s many in Modern Orthodox Judaism felt battered by criticism from Orthodoxy's theological right-wing. Many Orthodox Jews, notably HaRav Nissim Cahn, began to perceive Modern Orthodoxy as less compelling, and possibly less authentic, than Haredi Judaism. As such, Lamm wrote a principled theological defense of Modern Orthodoxy in Torah Umadda: The Encounter of Religious Learning and Worldly Knowledge in the Jewish Tradition and its theology of Torah in confrontation with Madda or "Western Civilization".
In 1989, his doctoral thesis examining the theological-kabbalistic differences in the
In accompaniment, in 1999 Lamm published The Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary, which offered an in-depth development of formative
In 2000 Lamm wrote The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism for a general audience not familiar with Jewish theology; this work focused on how a proper understanding of Judaism would lead a practitioner to spirituality. This work was a rejoinder to the viewpoint that religious, observant Judaism was dry and legal, as opposed to spiritual and meaningful.
In addition to these, Lamm has written many essays on contemporary Jewish issues which were published in the journals Tradition, founded in 1958 by Lamm, and the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society.
Retirement
Lamm stepped down as president in 2003,
Upon his retirement as president, Lamm was given the position of
In July 2013, Lamm announced his retirement as chancellor and Rosh HaYeshiva after more than 60 years at Yeshiva University, and apologized for not responding more assertively when students at
Awards
1999:
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Rabbi Norman Lamm, longtime head of Yeshiva University and prolific author, dies at 92". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2020-05-31. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
- ^ A Bullet Factory in the Catskills
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Norman Lamm - Full interview". YouTube.
- ^ "The Lamm Heritage | Yeshiva University". www.yu.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
- ^ Baumol, Yehoshua. Emek Halacha, Vol 2. Responsa 13, 45, and 48. Jerusalem, 1976.
- ^ "West Side Jewish Center Names Spiritual Leader", The New York Times, November 22, 1952, p. 14. was rabbi of Congregation Kodimoh, Springfield, Massachusetts 1953-1957,
- ^ "History" Archived 2009-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, The Jewish Center website. Accessed September 2, 2009.
- ^ "Rabbi Norman Lamm, former Yeshiva U president, dies at 92". The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
- ^ Spiegel, Irving (August 9, 1976). "New Head of Yeshiva U. Norman Lamm". New York Times. p. 18. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Landau, David (1993). Piety and Power: The World of Jewish Fundamentalism. New York: Hill and Wang. p. 292.
- ^ a b Landau, p. 320.
- ^ Cohen, Debra Nussbaum (December 5, 1997). "Orthodox leader speaks out on Jewish unity, breaking long silence." Jewish Telegraphic Agency via JWeekly.com. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
- ^ Lamm, Norman (2006). "The religious implications of extraterrestrial life." In Lamm, Faith and Doubt: Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought, 3rd augmented edition. Jersey City, NJ: KTAV Publishing House. p. 105-158 (chapter 5); here: p. 122.
- ^ Medina, Jennifer (August 28, 2002). "Wanted: University President/Religious Leader". New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Chancellor" Archived 2011-06-12 at the Wayback Machine, Yeshiva University website.
- New York Times.
- ^ Heilman, Uriel (July 1, 2013). "Acknowledging failure on sex allegations, Norman Lamm steps down from Y.U." Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2013-07-24.
- ^ Berger, Joseph (May 31, 2020). "Norman Lamm, 92, Dies; Rescued Yeshiva U. From Brink of Bankruptcy". The New York Times. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "Past Winners". Jewish Book Council. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2009) |
Works by Lamm
- Menachem Mendel Kasher, Norman Lamm, Leonard Rosenfeld (Editors). Leo Jung Jubilee Volume Essays in Honor on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday. N.Y.: The Jewish Center Synagogue, 1962.
- Norman Lamm, The Royal Reach, (Feldheim, 1970)
- Norman Lamm, A Hedge of Roses: Jewish Insights Into Marriage, (Feldheim, 1977)
- Norman Lamm The Religious Implications of Extra-Terrestrial Life, Chapter 5 of Faith and Doubt - Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought, (New York, Ktav, 1971)
- "תורה לשמה במשנת ר חיים מוולוזין ובמחשבת הדור" Mossad Horav Kuk, Jerusalem, 1971.
- Norman Lamm, Faith and Doubt: Studies in Traditional Jewish Thought, Ktav; 2nd edition 1986, ISBN 0-88125-000-7; 3rd Augmented Edition, 2006.
- Norman Lamm, Seventy Faces: Divided we stand, but its time to try an idea that might help us stand taller, Moment Vol. II, No. 6, June 1986 - Sivan 5746
- Norman Lamm, Torah Lishmah: Torah for Torah's Sake : In the Works of Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin and His Contemporaries, (Ktav, 1989).
- Norman Lamm, Torah Umadda: The Encounter of Religious Learning and Worldly Knowledge in the Jewish Tradition, ISBN 0-87668-810-5.
- Norman Lamm, 'Halakhot Va-halikhot', Mosad ha-Rav Kuk, 1990.
- Norman Lamm, The Religious Thought of Hasidism: Text and Commentary, Michael Scharf Publication Trust of Yeshiva University, 1999, ISBN 0-88125-440-1.
- Norman Lamm, The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism, ISBN 0-8276-0713-X.
- Lamm's response to Noah Feldman's July 22, 2007, New York Times Magazine essay "Orthodox Paradox" was published on August 2, 2007. Lamm's article, "A Response to Noah Feldman," was published at the website: http://www.forward.com/articles/11308/
- Norman Lamm, Torah Umadda: The Encounter of Religious Learning and Worldly Knowledge in the Jewish Tradition, 20th Anniversary Edition with a New Preface and an Afterword by Rabbi ISBN 978-1-59264-309-7.
- Norman Lamm, "The Royal Table: A Passover Haggadah", (OU Press, New York, 2010) ISBN 978-1-60280-139-4.
- Norman Lamm, "Festivals of Faith: Reflections on the Jewish Holidays", (Ou Press & Yeshiva University Press, New York, 2011) ISBN 978-1-60280-174-5.
Articles by Lamm
- HaPardes, No. 28, Vol. 11 August 1954: בדין מצות עשה להתפלל בכל יום
- HaDarom, No. 23 1966: הערה לענין תשעה-באב בימי בית שני
- HaDarom, No. 32 : בענין מצות קידוש
- HaPardes, November 1977: ברירה ורשות
- HaPardes, October 1983: דיני ממונות בשלשה
- HaPardes, No. 58 Vol. 5 February 1984: החסיד המעולה וראש הישיבה (Eulogy for Rabbi Yerucham Gorelick)
- Bais Yitzchok, 1985: בדין לבישת בגדי כהונה שלא בשעת עבודה
- HaPardes, March 1985: ברוך שם כבוד לעולם מלכותו ועד
- Sermon anthology of the RCA Vol. 44 (1986): Notes of An Unrepentant Darshan
- Sermon anthology of the RCA Vol. 44 (1986): There Is A Prophet in Israel
- Sermon anthology of the RCA Vol. 44 (1986): The Leaning Jews of America
- HaPardes, May 1986: לענין ספירת העומר
- Bais Yitzchok, 1987: קריאת שם הולד על שם אדם חי
- HaPardes, May 1987: אין קידוש אלא במקום סעודה
- HaPardes, April 1988: צדקה וחסד
- HaPardes, July 1992: כעס בהלכה ובמוסד היהדות
- HaPardes, November 1993: הכרת הטוב בהלכה
- HaPardes, June 1994: מודה במקצת הטענה ישבע
- HaPardes, April 1995: כהן בעל תשובה שהרג את הנפש ועע"ז
- HaPardes, May 1995: דין כהן שהרג את הנפש אם ומתי מותר לו לישא
External links
- Yeshiva University: The Lamm Heritage
- Yeshiva University: Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary - Rabbi Norman Lamm Kollel (Yadin Yadin)
- Lamm and controversy over gays at YU schools (1995)
- Lamm's Eulogy for Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin (1995)
- Interview with President Norman Lamm (1999)
- Seventy Faces: Divided we stand, but its time to try an idea that might help us stand taller
- Interview with Rabbi Lamm about Torah Umadda