Norman Lamm
Norman (Nochum) Lamm, or
Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, (born,
1927,
Brooklyn,
USA), major
modern Orthodox Judaism rabbi, and
Jewish communal leader. \n
He was the third President of
Yeshiva University (YU), and the first to be born in the
USA. He also holds a
Ph.D in
Jewish philosophy. He is a disciple of Rabbi
Joseph Soloveitchik (Modern Orthodoxy's most influential scholar), who
ordained him as a Rabbi at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS, the YU rabbinical school) in
1951.
Youth
\nIn his youth, Lamm attended the Haredi yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn. At Yeshiva College (YC, the forerunner of YU) he obtained a degree in Science in 1949, at which he excelled. He also attended a secular postgraduate college, the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He considered a career in science, but was persuaded by Rabbi Dr. Samuel Belkin, the second President of Yeshiva University (successor of Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revell), to join the faculty at YU.
Rise
\nObtaining his Ph.D. in 1966, his rise was rapid, and from an early stage he was groomed for a leadership role, given his intellectual, oratorical, and organizational skills, as well as his unswerving loyalty to his alma mater at YU. When he finally took over the institution, he not only saved it from looming bankruptcy, but raised its endowments to previously unheard of record levels.
Centrist
\nDr. Lamm is the eloquent voice for "Centrist Orthodoxy" (which is used interchangeably with Modern Orthodoxy) regarding itself as the "center" between the "left wing" branches of Judaism, such as Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism, and the movements of the "right wing" such as Ultra-Orthodox Judaism. He is a gifted speaker and writer, and has a vast command of the English language that often dazzles his listeners. His bother, Rabbi Maurice Lamm is also a very talented and gifted rabbi, writer and organizer.
Torah Umadda and Zionism
\nDr. Lamm introduced the concept of Torah Umadda and is its major proponent. Torah Umadda ("Torah and science") aims at blending the highest level of Torah learning with worldly (secular) knowledge. His admirers in the Modern Orthodox camp strongly favor his views, whereas those on the "right" see it as a betrayal of the "pure sanctity" (taharat hakodesh) of Torah. One of the contentious issues is the "encroachment" of scientific viewpoints on concepts of Jewish theology.
Dr. Lamm is a strong believer in modern Zionism, and a strong supporter and leader of the Religious Zionism movements in America and the State of Israel. He is highly regarded and respected by Israeli politicians and leaders.
Actively retired
\nDr. Lamm recently stepped down as President in 2003, and was succeeded by Richard Joel as the fourth YU President, also a graduate of Yeshiva University and the first layman to hold the office. He is a former attorney who also led the Bnai Brith's international Hillel student organization. Richard Joel had previously been associate dean and professor at YU's Cardozo Law School and was an assistant district attorney in New York City.
Dr. Lamm still maintains his title as Rosh Yeshiva ("head of the yeshiva") of YU's rabbinical school so he is still very much both titular and spiritaul head of Modern Orthodox Judaism. He was installed in a new position created for him as Chancellor of Yeshiva University in 2003. He continues to play a crucial role in the affairs of the institution to which he has devoted his life.
Controversy
\nDr. Lamm has always been a lightning-rod for praise but also criticism, the criticism mainly stemming from his handling of controversial issues facing the Jewish community, such as co-operating with the non-Orthodox branches regarding conversions (giur) of gentile spouses to Judaism. He remains undaunted and independent when facing criticisms from outside his camp.
External links
\n*Yeshiva University official website\n*Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary official website\n*Rabbi Lamm and controversy over gays at YU schools (1995)\n*Rabbi Lamm's Eulogy for Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin (1995)\n*Response of a supporter to a public criticism by the Haredi leader Rabbi Elya Svei\n*Interview with President Norman Lamm (1999)
Lamm, Norman\nLamm, Norman\nLamm, Norman
