Exchange with Michael Tabor about Birth of a Daughter and Hasidic Thought (1974)

1. Michael Tabor to R. Lamm (July 16, 1974)

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Exchange with Michael Tabor about Research Suggestions on Chabad (1974)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Greetings! Many thanks for your good wishes on the birth of שושנה, who is thriving. School starts again in a few weeks and before the pressure begins again I have written out some suggestions re the writings of the נשיאי חב"ד which I hope will be of some use in your search for suitable material. As you can see (and please note for future correspondence...!?) we have moved into a house on the campus and slowly getting organized. We didn't go away this summer but remained in the splendid isolation of interterm Carmel – I've enjoyed the peace and opportunity to read and practice altho' Naomi misses town life quite a bit – but as you said some months ago marriage is constant interaction and adaptation on both sides...Well I bid you and your charming wife & family (what are your kids doing now – I especially remember your daughter (youngest!?) who did a little dance for me – are your other children studying?]The seasonal greetings: כתיבה וחתימה טובהמיכאל ת'General Books & Ideas [mostly published by Kehor – or obtainable from your other Luby inclined friends & acquaintancesספר המפתחות – useful cross red & index of of ideas within literatureספר העררים – Encyclopedia – out a few years ago (1971?) I think only first vol is up to א!אור החסידות – brief summary/outline of basic concepts – some beautiful summaries of חב"ד by the נשיאי חב"ד.* על ספר החבדית – collection of short essays on major חב"ד books.The Tzemach Tzedek & Haskalah movement – interesting reading on background of fierce kultur komph & intrigues of Haskalah ideologists/missionaries'.On Teachings of Chassidus, On Learning Chassidus, קינטרס לימוד החסידות : transl by Z. Posner of two booklets by previous Rebbe.Deals with questions of how its possible to 'understand' theological concepts of chassidut. I found the 2nd part very interesting bringing parallels from other intellectual disciplines – different of comprehension:[P.27]הפשטה = עליית המשיג אל המושגהלבשה = המשכת וירידת …

Chasidim & Mitnagdim

Letter to Michael Tabor about Jewish Thought in Chabad and Yud Tes Kislev Celebration (1971)

Dear Michael: Mrs. Lamm and I are grateful to you for your post card and your letter containing a number of "Torah thoughts" from Lubavitch. I re-read them with great interest. I say: "re-read," because I get them directly from "headquarters." Unfortunately, I could not go to the י"ט כסלו celebration last night because I was lecturing elsewhere in the city. I know that to a devotee of your conviction this is a very lame excuse indeed, but I hope you will recognize that there has to be someone who, though sympathetic, is outside the camp, in order that all of you who are inside the camp can shine by contrast. Do let me know how you are getting along. My entire family joins me in wishing you a very pleasant and Happy Chanukah-and we look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Chasidim & Mitnagdim