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January-February 1987

Exchange with Rebecca Kupchik about Request to Use "The Face of God" as Teaching Material (1987)

Jewish Education Hidden Face of God Biographical Material

1. Rebecca Kupchik to R. Lamm

1. Rebecca Kupchik to R. Lamm (Jan. 29, 1987)

1. Rebecca Kupchik to R. Lamm (Jan. 29, 1987)

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Perhaps the best & most dynamic illustration of your thesis on the phases of Hester Panim (as set forth in your superb essay “The Face of God…”) can be found in this week’s Torah reading. Rashi’s exposition is particularly pertinent to your further point on the efficacy of prayer in advancing from stages (A) to (B) (“Absolute Hester Panim”) to (C) & (D). Ramban’s emphasis on this points up the rare opportunity granted to us today. How the Jewish community can continue its historic advance from the dramatic existence often tied to the phases of “Absolute Hester Panim.”
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Dear Zeida, I am writing to you in a frenzy of excitement which has resulted from your lecture entitled “The Force of God’s Judgment in the Holocaust.” The lecture has definitely triggered off serious questions, the questions that I, just like everyone else, have regarding frankfurt vrs tzur, that since possible in Jewish history which must fall under the category of literal punishment for sins the Jews have involved in since time back. Reading this lecture was the most thrilling intellectual experience I have been involved in since I came back to Israel. I probably haven’t yet marked the response in the correct probable books, I am putting it down under the title “we ask the questions” “he just don’t understand Hashem.” Here my controversy is sparked within me. All the questions asked however I would like an answer for the greatest answer is, could this be answered if we are the Jewish people so involved in questioning all the time and not getting any answer to it and not getting settled within ourselves, if this still is the situation? We might continue to rebel – still never being able to get back to your point that the answer will not come expected. The involvement in questions is always a beautiful experience but involvement in questions that never get answered is depressing. To my point – all that we can accomplish nothing. It seems as though this stage of Jewish history has no meaning and nothing that stems from it will give us any objective base upon which to stand. You are not answered. You only see that you have a special job as a Jew – we see that. What then can be accomplished if you are not answered? We can’t believe that in a perpetual involvement in questions and never arriving at any answer is good for us. We must have some kind of answer or at least something to believe in. We can’t be satisfied that Hashem has special ways. We know that! But what does it mean for us to know this and for you to tell us this, which is impossible to find some signif…
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Letter from Dr. Eckstein about "The Face of God" (1994)

Dear Norman, שליט"א, I am sorry that my comments caused you distress and sleeplessness, but then something very good came of it – your excellent interpretation of your grandfather’s ז"ל's final remark. I believe that you really penetrated to his meaning. What moved me about the remark was his humanism – his religious humanism. I shared his humanistic concern about punishment (in institutional sense) after death, but mine led to an irreligious conclusion whereas his never did. I never doubted his great piety – how could anyone who knew him! – but I feared that some on the right (perhaps just a hint) might besmirch him. Hence I wondered whether you would want it published; but with your clarification, perhaps it should be published. I am indeed very happy that with your clarification. I trust that you never questioned my esteem for his piety and wisdom – which was shared by my father and is still shared by my mother.
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