Letter from R. Krinsky about the Passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (1994)

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Letter to Nachum Twersky Upon the Passing of His Father (1969)

Dear Nachum: My wife and I, and Chaye, were shocked by the terrible news of the sudden passing away of your beloved father. I did not have the privilege of knowing him, but I had heard much about him, and from this indirect acquaintance I can appreciate how great and how grievous is your loss. I am sorry that I will not be able to see you personally during this week because you are out of town and my schedule simply does not allow me to leave for an extended period of time. Words, of course, are completely inadequate at a time of this sort. Silence, as the friends of Job so well understood, is the only appropriate response before we begin talking about what happened. Please, Nachum, accept for yourself and the rest of your family my few words and a great deal of silence as our expression of sympathy for all of you. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Death & Mourning

Letter of Condolence to R. Zev Upon His Father's Passing (1973)

Dear Yaakov: I was shocked and grieved to receive the news, which I just did from my sister, of the passing away of your beloved father ע"ה. While I met him once or twice, I did not have the privilege of knowing him well. I do know that I was always impressed by your loyalty and love as a son, and I appreciate how bereaved you and other members of the family must feel. There is little one can say from a distance, save that I join you in your sorrow and that Mindy and I offer you our most sincere and heartfelt condolences.To you and other members of the family, go our most profound wishes that המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושליםCordially,Rabbi Norman LammNL:cw

Death & Mourning

Letter to Dr. Offenbacher about Shomrim for Mourners (1976)

I do not believe we have to be excessively worried about a shomer who must take time out from his duties for personal needs. I assume, of course, that these absences from his duties do not last more than a very few minutes. Under such circumstances, there is no reason to be stringent. 2. With regard to the conduct of the shomer during his duties, it is traditional that the shomer recite Psalms. At present, I think it would be too radical a departure from custom to allow the shomer to engage in other pursuits, such as secular studies. I would prefer that the yeshiva students whom we are considering as shomrim be instructed to stay with Psalms – preferably those items which are studied during the “Nine Days,” such as מסכת מועד קטן or פרקי ירמיהו, special chapters of Jeremiah, איכה, etc. If the student feels that he must devote his time to other areas of Torah study, then I would not object to it. 3. I am studying the question of a Sefer Torah to be used exclusively for the mourners’ homes, and will inform you when I’ve arrived at a decision.

Death & Mourning