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Correspondence

December 1961-January 1962

Exchange with Mrs. Zamir about Sermon Criticizing Ben Gurion's Visit to a Buddhist Monastery (1961)

The Jewish Center Zionism Israel & the Middle East

1. Mrs. Zamir to R. Lamm

1. Mrs. Zamir to R. Lamm (Dec. 6, 1961)

1. Mrs. Zamir to R. Lamm (Dec. 6, 1961)

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Dear [redacted]: I feel rather guilty for writing this letter – that is, not for writing it but for writing it so late – and I hope you will be forgiving. It occurred to me that you might not be completely aware of the strong moral support you have in the agony to which you are being subjected by the wild men surrounding you. Sometimes it is necessary to express the obvious, if only because someone in the thick of battle may not realize that he has friends – many of them and loyal ones.Let me tell you, therefore, not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of many, many others, that we are genuinely sorry for the anguish that has been caused to you and your family, and that, even more, we admire you enormously for your spirit, your perseverance, and your plain American guts.I wish I knew how I could be of help to you. I had been toying with the idea of drawing up some kind of petition, having it signed by like-minded people, and publicizing it. But I don’t know how much good it would do you in the face of charges that you are a stooge of sinister circles in the United States who are trying to get Yeshiva University into Jerusalem through the back door. Whatever I can do for you, I certainly am anxious to, and await word from you. But whether or not there is any active assistance you desire, I do want you to know that we are with you – בלב ונפש.Mindy joins me in warmest regards to you and your wife.Cordially yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL/egbc: Max SternRabbi Irving Greenberg
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Dear AdvocatieMichael: מזל טוב on your LLB! I would not have realized it had you not let the information slip in by stealth! I enjoyed your letter from כפר חב"ד. You say it confirms your views about the sociological aspects of חב"ד. I'd like you to elaborate, because I am not aware of them. Your own experience with חב"ד is so much more extensive than mine, and hence your ideas will be much more valid. I recognized your statement about למעלה מן הטבע having to be בהטבע (after all, אלקי"ם = הטב"ע), but I'm obtuse these days, & do not know how you mean this to refer to life in Israel – unless, of course, you mean that all of Israel is living on these two interpenetration planes.Incidentally, I talk up the בעל התניא's addition טבע and ווהז in my newest book, just published in Israel – תורה לשמה במשנת רבי חיים מוולוז'ין ובמחשבת הדור (by מוסד הרב קוק). If you'll let me know your address for about a month or two from now, I'll be glad to send you a complimentary copy. Have you has a chance to glance at my "Faith & Doubt?"My family speak of you often. We all join in hoping your have many merry tunes to fiddle this year, literally & metaphorically. Sorry to hear about Esther but – כן. ישנם דגים אחרים בים. כמ"ש וידגו לרוב בקרב הארץ, והזיווג המתאים לך הלואי שתזרמן לידך שזה זו ותת דרך בשנה טובה ומתוקה. שנה של שגשיג ויצירה של נחת בכל המובנים.Cordially,Norman
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Letter to Mrs. Gruen about Israel and Pacifism (1956)

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