Letter from Marcel Lindenbaum about Self-Confidence and Centrist Orthodoxy (1988)

At various points during his presidency, many community members urged Rabbi Lamm to more forcefully promote Centrist or Modern Orthodoxy. This letter from Marcel Lindenbaum, a prominent supporter of Modern Orthodox causes, is a good example.

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Letter from R. Jakob Petuchowski about Centrist Orthodoxy (1988)

Dear Dr. Lamm: Although we have met personally only once, at one of the institutes arranged by David Hartman, I have long been an admirer of your writings in both Tradition and Moment. The favorable impression I have gained from your writings has now been greatly reinforced by reading the draft of your “Centrist Orthodoxy.” Thank you for sending it to me. First of all, let me tell you that I like the spirit of ahavat Yisrael in which that pamphlet is written. I like the call for moderation and the cooling of tempers. And I like your way of defining Centrist Orthodoxy per genus et differentiam. The spirit of your presentation reminded me somewhat of the atmosphere of Torah im derekh eretz, in which I had been brought up in Berlin. Could I engage in some nit-picking arguments with what you have to say? I suppose I could. Right as you are in saying that “Torah Judaism” is a redundancy, “for what is Judaism if not Torah?,” I feel somewhat uneasy about having any one group within Judaism lay a monopolistic claim to that name. Granted that Conservative Judaism, for example, is subject to the kind of criticism you level against it, I would argue that, even within Conservative ranks, there have been – and are – some believers in, and practitioners of, “Torah Judaism.” And hard as those believers and practitioners may be to find within the organizational structure of Reform Judaism, I would argue that, if you look hard enough, you might find one or two even there. The recently deceased Rabbi William G. Braude z”l of Providence, Rhode Island, could certainly be considered as such. But then, I understand that it is in the nature of any orthodoxy to make monopolistic claims; and as long as such claims have to be made, it is better to hear them expressed with your kind of derekh eretz than hurled in the strident voice of self-righteousness. It is certainly kind of you to inquire whether you reported my opinions correctly. On the whole, you did, although in my JRJ article I did …

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Letter from Dr. Michael Wyschogrod to R. Lamm about Centrist Orthodoxy Essay (1988)

Dear Norman: I am writing in response to your request of April 1, 1988 for comments about “Centrist Orthodoxy: Agenda and Vision, Self-Definition, and Self-Evaluation,” which you plan to publish in booklet form. I read the piece and the earlier press accounts with great interest. What you are articulating is of great importance. “Sane” or “moderate” Orthodoxy has been silent for too long, leaving the impression that it has nothing to say or that it secretly admires anti-modern Orthodoxy but does not have the courage of its convictions. The truth is that we believe moderate Orthodoxy to be the form of Judaism most pleasing to God. I therefore strongly support the enterprise of making clear what we believe. A booklet setting forth your views would be a good beginning, but even better would be something similar to which the RCA and the Union could subscribe, making it a manifesto of a movement rather than the opinion of one man. If this is not possible, then your statement alone is far better than nothing, especially as President of Yeshiva University. On the whole, I agree with your thrust, though I have specific comments. The term “Centrist Orthodoxy” is problematic. If there is little or nothing to the left of it, then the term is disingenuous and avoids the word “modern,” which I would retain. You rightly distinguish Orthodoxy from non-Orthodoxy on the basis of halakhah, but in so doing you imply that halakhah is the essence of Judaism. I disagree: halakhah is essential, but the essence is covenantal relationship with God. I have reservations about the “lighthouse” story, which seems too sermonic for a serious essay. I also find your distinction between “validity” and “legitimacy” tortured; it suffices to say that we disagree with non-Orthodox interpretations but love and respect all Jews. I am especially hard-line on conversion, which should be emphasized as the greatest danger to Jewish unity. I would be cautious in distinguishing heart from mind biblically, sin…

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Letter from R. Schonfeld about the Label of "Centrist Orthodoxy" and Validity of Religious Leaders (1988)

Dear Norman: Please forgive the delay in responding to your communication regarding the address you delivered at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. I had been out of the country, as had you, but I trust it is not too late to offer the following comments. I cannot disagree with the substance of your thinking and I share many of the sentiments expressed. I do, however, feel compelled to raise two points. First, and most importantly, by using the adjective “Centrist” we risk giving the impression that we are less committed to Torah, or less enthusiastic, than those perceived as being to our right. I emphatically deny this is so. There may be different approaches to the goal of Torah living, but each is fully legitimate. In my recent sermon at the OU Retreat I emphasized this point strongly. By referring to ourselves as “Centrist” we imply that we are somehow on a lower level of observance, which is not true. If what we do is within the framework of halakha, then terms like left, right, or Centrist make little difference; what matters is legitimacy and commitment. My second point relates to your description of Conservative and Reform rabbis as valid religious leaders though not legitimate. To the ordinary person, such a distinction has little meaning, and I do not believe we ought to say that they are “valid” at all. If what we mean is that, pragmatically, they are perceived by their congregations as leaders, then we should find a way to express this without ascribing any religious validity. From my perspective they are not valid, even though I meet with them, talk with them, and at times agree with them in certain areas of Jewish life, especially as described by the Rav in his guidelines. Other than these points, I believe you have expressed my feelings beautifully and adequately, and I hope you will not be unduly disturbed by the recent attacks on you in some columns of the Anglo-Jewish press. With kindest regards, most sincerely, Fabian Schonfeld.

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