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March 29, 1966

Letter from R. Haskel Lookstein about "A Hedge of Roses" (1966)

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Correspondence

Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein about "A Hedge of Roses" (1966)

My dear Norman: Thank you very much for the complimentary copy of your delightful little book, "A Hedge of Roses." I just read about half of it upon arrival, and I am sure that I will finish the rest of it in the next day or two. My compliments to you on the substance, on the style, and on the purpose. It will fill a great need and do much to advance the institution intended. Congratulations, and a very happy and kosher Passover to you. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein.
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Correspondence

Letter from Baruch Litvin about "A Hedge of Roses" (1966)

Dear Rebbi, Shalom: We are home again in the great Midbor Mt. Clemens, we hope that you and your family had a Freilichen and Kosherln Pesach. I wish to thank you for publishing "A Hedge of Roses," it will take its place as a "classic" as long as there will be an English speaking Jewry, it is a real gem. Since I did not have the privilege of getting an academic education, I dare not review it, fearing of what our Sages instructed us: "Kol Hamosif goreah," so I am trying to hold to the line, but with your permission may I cite to you what the Zohar has to say on the above citation.On the verse in Song of Songs VI,11: I went down into the garden of nuts, for as the nut has a shell surrounding and protecting the kernel inside, so it is with everything sacred: the sacred principle occupies the interior, whilst the "other side" encircles the exterior.Observe that the exterior of the nut, the more it is enlarged the more worthless it becomes. As a mnemonic we have the sacrifices of the Feast of Tabernacles, the number which goes on diminishing with the increase of days. I hope that I have proven with the help of the Zohar Hakadosh the instruction of the Sages "Koi Hamosif goreah."If in my enthusiasm the Moshol is not 100 percent to the Nimshol, please forgive me.As to the "Meteor" that I sent out in Tradition: The Religious Implication... I leave it for another letter, if I don’t bore you too much. I have to have some self-expression and you as a Rebbi and friend I asn have permission to do it.Here, in your Tradition and Jewish Life, I certainly had a BerriJof wine and a good portion of Lamb, so we are wishing you to keep on to be as dynamic as you are. May the Almighty give you strength and see to it that no evil eye shall have any effect upon you, "Yaasher Kochacho."
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Correspondence

Letter from Haham Gaon about "A Hedge of Roses" (1966)

Dear Haham Gaon: Although I have not received any response yet to my previous confidential note, I do want to communicate with you now concerning the Indian problem. When I returned from India in February, I sent you a copy of the Gittin currently in use by the Bene Israel. It will be most beneficial to the Jewish community in India to receive from you or your office advice concerning the proper procedure to be followed, and most especially, correct copies of Gittin. Mr. Abraham Jhirad of the UOJCI has informed me that several requests for this information have not yet received any response.Would you be kind enough, Dr. Gaon, to respond to them and satisfy their legitimate requests?With all best wishes,Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
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