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Correspondence

June 6, 1988

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

Modern Orthodoxy
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Response to The Challenge to Modern Orthodoxy (1984)

Berkowitz makes the same mistake that the Conservative always did – the insistence upon institutional self-definition as if that alone created a legitimacy for a movement. But I see no need for an ideological pushing of the elbows in order to make room for institutional "space." We do not and should not consider ourselves a separate "movement" in the sense that we are different from classical Orthodoxy. We are Orthodox – but with a new-old interpretation. As such, we have no need to rue the fact that "our" people consult "their" Gedolim. The institutional and even ideological differentia must not be mistaken for rigid lines – even though the Right may look upon us with contempt and condemn us to irrelevancy.2 - Berkowitz is inconsistent. In one point he asserts that we have no differences in Halakhah, and in another he resents the fact that nowadays the "Modern Orthodox" do not allow mixed dancing at their weddings...3 - Additionally, Berkowitz mistakes goals and reality, the ought and is. The aspiration of "Modern Orthodoxy" is not to insinuate the trappings of modernity into the Jewish framework, but, identically with the Right, to create a "kehillah kedoshah" in the fuller sense, one in which Talmud Torah takes priority.4 - Where we do differ is in these respects:a) Torah Umada. He is correct in his criticism that we have compartmentalized the two, and that we must make an effort at synthesis which will be meaningful. However, even as we are we are still miles ahead of the Right for whom the entire enterprise of secular study is a bediavad, and legitimized only because of "parnossah."b) Of critical importance is the element of tolerance. We believe that in order for a Jewish community to prosper in a democratic society there must be mutual tolerance and an absence of bigotry. They do not.c) Flowing from this is the question of authority and authoritarianism. As opposed to the movements of the Left, we do believe in authority: that is our whole commitment to Hal…
Modern Orthodoxy

Correspondence

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 …
Modern Orthodoxy Orthodoxy & Other Denominations

Correspondence

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…
Modern Orthodoxy Orthodoxy & Other Denominations