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September 17, 1967

Note to Self Regarding the "Asleep" Sermon (1967)

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Note

Self-Assessment Notes About First Semester (1976)

The form I have followed for this academic year of 1975-6 is to give my lectures at the beginning of the first semester, and thereafter to have them do the various kinds of work. What we finally settled on was for each one to attempt a kind of satire written by C.S. Lewis in the Screwtape letters, and then I assigned one research project over the whole year, and one Hasbarah paper for each semester. For the second semester, I invited as many guest lecturers as I could, people who had or were working on books in the field. For the second semester, I had invited Meir Schiller (a young Hasid working on a book), Emanuel Rackman, Joseph Telushkin, David Bleich, and possibly Yaakov Jacobs of the Jewish Life. Note the following items that ought to be revised or added to the course: 1. Instead of Hasbarah, be open and use the word, "apologetics." 2. In writing about Apologetics, reference should be made to some of the greatest Christian Apologists, such as C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Belloc, Arnold Lunn (the Catholic). 3. Perhaps I should concentrate more, especially during the first semester, on what others have done. Perhaps assign readings in C.S. Lewis, or Xerox parts of him, from his other works in addition to the Screwtape Letters. The same holds true for three other writers mentioned above. I also should use some of the Orthodox and even non-Orthodox Jewish writers, and criticize their works objectively (include Avigdor Miller, who fails to criticize modern civilization, but just ridicules it instead). 4. The major works of the above apologists are as follows: a) the problem of pain; mere Christianity (these first two are probably his best); the great divorce; the pilgrim's regress (the last two are in the nature of fantasies); and the Screwtape Letters. b) Chesterton: Orthodoxy (a real classic); St. Francis of Assisi. c) Belloc: The French Revolution. d) Lunn: Now I See (his best work); Is Christianity True? Books by the above can be obtained, if unavailabe in New…
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Correspondence

Exchange with R. Wohlberg Praising His Sermon (2009)

Dear Mitch: I just (October 24) read your Rosh Hashanah sermon as praised in the blog by Rabbi Adlerstein. Interestingly, I was unaware of it until it was sent to me by a friend in England. This was a superb sermon, rare for its integrity as well as its sincerity, and you deserve a very warm “yasher koach” for allowing so many of us to share your sense of outrage qualified only by your utter honesty. Keep it up – there are so many problems that need your touch and the entire community will be indebted to you. Cordially yours, Norman Lamm, Chancellor
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Correspondence

Letter to Michael Tabor about the Necessity for Introspection (1974)

Dear Michael, It was a pleasure hearing from you again, and especially to learn the delightful news that Naomi is expecting in July – so may thy tribe increase! It occurred to me that in recent months your "reflections" in your letters have been briefer and less introspective. That is a good sign, and indicates to me that you are preoccupied in creative, externalized tasks – to wit, the news for which I just congratulated you. However, I confess that I enjoyed your longer, soul-searching letters, and would urge you to indulge yourself in writing down such introspective ruminations (because I am sure you experience them, even if you don't express them), especially now that you are going through new experiences and, with the help of the Almighty, through some wonderful ones yet to come.I hope someday to be able to present them to you in a manner which will allow you, in your "old age," to have a fascinating record of a fruitful spiritual adventure.I hope your vacation in Manchester was restful and invigorating for Naomi and you, and that you will continue to enjoy your work at Carmel now that you have returned.I shall be sending you under separate cover a copy of my latest book. Should you wish to order a larger number for any kind of class or club at the school, I suggest you order them from B’nai B’rith instead of Viking, because that way the cost will be much less.My wife and my children join in sending warmest regards to you and your wife.Cordially yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
Biographical Material