Letter to Irving Bunim about His "Ethics from Sinai" and Invitation to Speak at The Jewish Center (1963)

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Letter of Appreciation to Irving Bunim for Organizing Torah Umesorah Dinner (1962)

Dear Amos, Just a word to let you know that your work for Torah Umesorah at the Annual Dinner on Sunday night did not go unappreciated by so many people, including myself, who admired the manner in which you conducted the meeting. It was a true "kiddush ha-shem," and you can truly be proud of it. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.

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Letter to Dr. Philip Birnbaum about His Doctoral Thesis and Jewish Center Lecture (1963)

Dear Dr. Birnbaum: Many thanks for sending to me a copy of your book, "The Arabic Commentary of Yefet," your doctoral thesis. I hope to read it carefully at the first opportunity. At the same time, permit me to express to you my thanks and those of my entire congregation for your splendid and inspiring talk this past Saturday afternoon, which I am sure encouraged all your listeners to dedicate themselves with renewed interest to both study and teaching of the "Hidden Treasures of Hebrew Literature." I do hope we shall have many opportunities to hear you at The Center in the future.Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL\:ff

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Letter to Dr. Belkin about Areas of Research for YU Institute of Ethics (1966)

I suggest the following special problems be included as areas for research in Jewish ethics. (1) The problem of Biblical Wars. What is their ethical justification? Does the interpretation of the Oral Law mitigate the ethical problem? Does the problem have any relevance to the contemporary problem of "just wars?" (2) "Holocaust Theology" – Research into Jewish theodicy, and a study of contemporary writings, in an attempt to meet the ethical challenge of justice in a world in which 6 million Jews were killed. The ethical formulation of the classical metaphysical problem: is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the God of Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau? (3) Illegitimacy – How do we reconcile the limitation on the freedom of an illegitimate child with the ethical principle that every man suffers for his own sins?The treatment of the Non-Jew in HalakhaThe treatment of women in Halakha – The question of their disqualification as witnesses; inheritance; and the Agunah. The ethical problems in this area should also include that of Halitzah: why is the brother-in-law faulted in the ceremony, when he is forbidden to marry the Yebamah by Rabbinical interdiction?RNL/h

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