Lecture on Gratitude in Conjunction with Honorary Doctorate from Bar Ilan (2009)

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Bio of R. Lamm Upon Receiving Honorary Doctorate from Bar Ilan (2009)

Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm. Bar-Ilan University bestows an honorary doctorate upon Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm in tribute to his dynamic leadership of Modern Orthodox Jewry in the United States and his advancement of Torah u’Madda ideology at Yeshiva University and beyond. A distinguished rabbi, philosopher, teacher, and author, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm is Chancellor of Yeshiva University – America’s oldest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning under Jewish auspices. He previously served for 27 years as President of YU. Rabbi Dr. Lamm is a well-known voice of “Centrist Orthodoxy” and a leading proponent of the Torah u’Madda approach, which combines Torah learning with secular knowledge. He himself embodies that philosophy, which is the cornerstone of both YU and Bar-Ilan University. Originally trained as a scientist, he maintains an interest in the interface between science and Judaism. He holds a PhD in Jewish philosophy and is a disciple of the renowned Modern Orthodox scholar Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, who ordained him and also granted him his PhD – the only time he had done so. The author of numerous books, Rabbi Dr. Lamm has gained wide recognition for his writings and discourses on Jewish philosophy and law, especially in relation to problems involving science, technology, and philosophy in the modern world. He founded Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought, The Torah u’Madda Journal, and The Orthodox Forum, an international Modern Orthodox think tank. His halakhic essays are contained in his volume Halakhot ve’Halikhot. Rabbi Dr. Lamm’s writings and teachings on Jewish law have been cited in two landmark decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court: the 1966 “Miranda decision” regarding police interrogation of suspects held in custody and a 1967 case involving guarantees against self-incrimination. Also in 1967, Rabbi Dr. Lamm testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the right of privacy from the perspective of Jewish law. He spent 25 years as a …

Biographical Material

Note re: Appointment to Bar-Ilan Board of Overseers

Rabbi Lamm was designated a member of the Board of Overseers of Bar Ilan University in Israel.

Biographical Material

Letter of Gratitude to Dr. Belkin for Professorship at Yeshiva University (1965)

Dear Dr. Belkin: I have recently been informed of the good news that I have been appointed Visiting Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Yeshiva. I know that this was your decision, and I want to thank you for it. I very genuinely and sincerely appreciate not only the promotion itself, but the very fact that it was you who did it, because of my infinite esteem for your opinion and judgement. My warmest personal regards to Mrs. Belkin, and kindest good wishes to the both of you for a happy and kosher Passover.Respectfully yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Biographical Material