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Correspondence

June-July 1995

Exchange with Dr. Koppel about His Scholarship on Meta-Halacha (1995)

Torah & Science Halachik Method

1. Dr. Koppel to R. Lamm

1. Dr. Koppel to R. Lamm (June 1, 1995)

1. Dr. Koppel to R. Lamm (June 1, 1995)

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Speech

Halachah in the Age of Science (1959)

The challenge posed by the changing world scene to traditional Judaism in its philosophical aspects has been discussed by previous lecturers. The advent of modern science brought with it a new conception of the universe and of man’s place within it, and Judaism was required to respond. This philosophical dialogue is of great significance. But ultimately, Judaism’s survival depends on Halakhah. If Halakhah is not preserved, then no matter how successful the philosophical adjustments, Judaism will not endure. Conversely, if Halakhah can be preserved within the changing world, then philosophers may struggle – but they will have something of enduring value to reflect on.Just as the philosophies nourished by modern science conflicted with Jewish philosophy, so too the practical discoveries and inventions of natural science presented great challenges to the halakhist. And just as in natural science the science itself is primary and philosophy flows from it, so too in Judaism – Halakhah is the given, the primary datum, the raw material. Philosophy must grow out of Halakhah, not the reverse.Indeed, the modern age of science has posed mighty challenges to Halakhah:Artificial insemination (late 19th century – reproduction without copulation) Electricity, radio, television – including ethical questions of communication Halakhah had three options in response to modern science and technology:A) Succumb – argue that Halakhah and science occupy different worlds and Halakhah is therefore obsolete; permit anything new by default B) Ignore – retreat into the ghetto, declare all innovation forbidden C) Creative Response – treat the challenge of modernity as a catalyst for internal growthIt is a testimony to the inner vitality of Halakhah that it chose the third path.As one editorial in Science put it, “dither” – kinetic friction is better than static inertia. Halakhah has always existed “in a dither” – from the days of Moses until today – and it is precisely this tension that has kep…
Torah & Science Halachik Method

Correspondence

Exchange with Dr. Rosner about AOJS Major Issues Kits (1971)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: As Chairman of the Publications Committee of the Rephael Society of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, I was sent a copy of your letter dated April 5, 1971. Your kind comments concerning our Euthanasia Kit are greatly appreciated. This is the second kit that we have put together, the first one being a similar kit and dealing with the subject of abortion, which we mailed out last year. Should you wish to receive that material, please write us and we will be happy to forward it to you.I am in the process of preparing a third Major Issues kit for distribution sometime in the fall. The subject of this latter one is *Human Experimentation and Medical Research on Humans From the Jewish Viewpoint*.Sincerely yours,**Fred Rosner, M.D.**FR\:sfDirector of Hematologycc: Rabbi Rosenfeld
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Correspondence

Exchange with Dr. Shneour about His Scholarship on Extraterrestrial Life (1966)

Dear Dr. Schneour: Mr. Raymond A. Haeckel of the Public Relations Department of the University of Utah was kind enough to send me a copy of a news release and article in which you were interviewed concerning the question of life on other planets. Mr. Haeckel sent me this in response to an article which recently appeared in the New York Times, reporting on an article I had published in Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought.As soon as reprints of my article become available, I will send one on to you. I hope you will do me the favor of reading it and letting me know your reactions.Permit me now to add a personal note. I may be mistaken, but I think that we once met many years ago. I had the pleasure of meeting, several years before his death, the distinguished Hebrew and Yiddish poet, Zalman Schneour, together with his wife, his son, and his daughter. In fact, he once did me the honor of reading and criticizing some Hebrew poetry which I wrote.I dimly recall hearing that this son was a biologist in Utah. That is why I believe that you are probably the man I met at that time. Perhaps it will help you to recall our association if I mention the name of my beloved aunt, Mrs. Sarah Wank. She and my late uncle Hyman were very friendly with the Schneour family.Finally, I would be very pleased to receive copies of any publications you may have on this theme that is of mutual interest to us.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM
Torah & Science