Exchange with R. Jung about High Holiday Sermon Schedule (1975)

/ / Exchange with R. Jung about High Holiday Sermon Schedule (1975)

Correspondence

1970s

Exchange with R. Jung about High Holiday Sermon Schedule (1975)

Rosh Hashanah Yom Kippur

1. R. Jung to R. Lamm

1. R. Jung to R. Lamm (May 27, 1975)

1. R. Jung to R. Lamm (May 27, 1975)

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Synagogue Sermon

Rosh Hashana and the Theme of Life - Draft (1962)

Our Sidra of this morning teaches us one of the most fundamental concepts of our faith. It is something we speak of often, and that is perhaps why we frequently fail to appreciate its depth and the magnitude of its influence. The concept of man’s creation in tzellem Elokim, the image of G-d, is one of the most sublime ideas that man possesses, and is decisive in the Jewish concept of man. What does it mean when we say that man was created in tzellem Elokim? Varying interpretations have been offered of this term, each reflecting the general ideological orientation of the interpreter. The philosophers of Judaism, the fathers of our rationalist tradition, maintain that the image of G-d is expressed, in man, by his intellect. Thus, Saadia Gaon and Maimonides maintain that sekhel — reason — which separates man from animal is the element of uniqueness that is in essence a divine quality. The intellectual function is thus what characterizes man as the tzellem Elokim. However, the ethical tradition of Judaism does not agree with that interpretation. Thus, Rabbi Moses Hayyim Luzzato in his "Mesillat Yesharim" does not accept reason as the essence of the divine image. A man can, by the exercise of his intellect know what is good — but fail to act upon it. Also, the restriction of tzellem Elokim to reason means that only geniuses can truly qualify as being created in the image of G-d. Hence, Luzzato offers an alternative and perhaps more profound definition. The tzellem Elokim in which man was created is that of ratzon — the freedom of his will. The fact that man has a choice between good and evil, between right and wrong, between obedience and disobedience of G-d — is what expresses the image of G-d in which he was born. An animal has no freedom to act. A man does. That ethical freedom makes man unique in the creation.But how does the freedom of the human will express itself? A man does not assert his freedom by merely saying "yes" to all that is presented to him. Each of us…

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Correspondence

Letter to R. Jung about High Holiday Services Procedures (1974)

The following items concern services and you may want to comment on them to me before I raise them at the Cabinet Meeting. (1) The new Cantor. I would like to do away with the cantorial robe and have him wear formal clothing, the same as the Rabbis and officers. (2) A reminder to the officers that each must wear a kittel on High Holidays. (3) Discuss, once again, the long Yizkor reading on Yom Kippur, and possibly schedule an official recess, thus hopefully avoiding the situation whereby most of the congregation is absent during the Avodah and most of Minchah.Simchat Torah: a new system is very much needed to avoid the chaos that prevails at present. Instead of calling up members by reading off the list, perhaps a system whereby we distribute cards on a first-come, first-serve basis.Please do let me know your feelings about these matters.

Prayer Biographical Material

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Yom Kippur Seminar (1990)

Rabbi Lamm speaks to rabbinic alumni on themes of Yom Kippur.