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Correspondence

June 1971

Exchange about Divine Authorship of the Torah (1971)

Faith
Background Information

Rabbi Lamm understood that faith is a process, not merely a destination. This perspective shaped his responses to young questioners in particular

Background Information

1. Correspondent 13 to R. Lamm

1. Correspondent 13 to R. Lamm (June 21, 1971)

1. Correspondent 13 to R. Lamm (June 21, 1971)

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Correspondence

Exchange about Principles of Faith and the Dichotomy Between Mitzvah and Aveirah (1969)

Dear Rabbi Lamm לאי"ט, I have not had the pleasure of meeting you although I am an avid reader of your thought provoking articles. My name is [redacted], and I teach at [redacted]. You will probably recall that [redacted] mentioned me in his recent letter to you – although he did not do too good a job of presenting my views. There are a number of favours which I would like to ask of you. I realize that you are very busy and that asking you for seme of your time is an imposition but I think that you are probably better able to help me than most people, so I hope that you will bear with me and if at all possible take the time to answer the following few questions.Am I right in assumung that current philosophical thought rejects the possibility of proving the עקרי אמונה which ראשונים like רמב"ם and חובת הלבבות try to prove? My own inclination has always been towards the Kuzari and the Ramban (Shemos 3:13) who seem to reject the need and possibly also the possibility of proving these points. I am very eager to know the grounds on which these proofs are rejected. Am I right in thinking that the main basis is the impossibility or knowing "das Dingan Sich” which, if I understand Kent's term correctly means that we can only grasp things through our own experiences and consequently cannot have any understanding of the Ribono shel Olom. This seems to me to be so obvious that I do net see how the ראשונים could have overlooked it. As a matter of fact it seems to me that in essence this is what the רמב"ם himself says when he argues with Aristotelos proofs of Kadmus and formulates his theseis concerning ידיעה of השית. If this is so does this not logically extend to any and all conjecture about the רשב"ע including his אחדות and lack of הגשמה which, I believe the רמב"ם considers as proven.In the most recent TRADITION there is a book review by Edith Wyschegred in which she quotes two opinions of the אברבנאל. One verbatim ... "In view of the strength . ..." and the other on page 140…
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Correspondence

Exchange with M. Jaffe about Archaeology and Divine Revelation (1969)

Rabbi Lamm, I will appreciate your comments on the question. Do you or do you not, think Dr. Albright is of opinion that Moses received the 10 Commandments from God at Mt. Sinai. Sincerely, M. Jaffe
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Correspondence

Exchange with Robert Crenshaw about Physics, God, and Creationism (1966)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: Enclosed find a copy of a letter I have written to Anglican Bishop James A. Pike. Indication of Bishop Pike's reply is contained in the note of introduction before the letter. I ask that you give serious thought to the conception outlined herein. Won't you give me your opinion? I sent this to Yeshiva University, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. In reply, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman suggested that I send a copy on to you. He indicated that you have been dealing with some of the problems involved in the enclosed. I consider myself a Christian, but notice that the theory herewith thrown in process of thought remarkably resembles the Jewish ideas of God. The origin of the universe, suggested in the so-called "Big Bang" cosmogonical theory. As you may know, that it was originally advanced scientifically to explain the high rate of recession of the nebulae, or galaxies, the fragments forming the galaxies, the sun, the earth. Also involved is the concept of curved space, a concept developed from Einstein's theory of relativity. As it is discussed in Scientific American offices at 250 West 55th Street, New York City, New York, I would suggest you make available to yourself information used in connection with the theory of science. Or your local library might keep back copies. I might say that other important churchmen have expressed real interest in the theology of the letter. I have recently sent copies to about 125 Protestant ministers and leaders, and also to several seminaries of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism. Sincerely, Robert E. Crenshaw.
Faith Torah & Science