Letter to Moses Feuerstein about Biblical Criticism in "The Yavneh Review" (1961)

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Letter to Moses Feuerstein about Response to Report Concerning the Conservative Movement (1963)

Dear Moe: The tendency expressed in the enclosed release is known to me for some time now. There is nothing you or I can or should do about it. My own feeling is that this would consolidate the conservative movement and create an irrevocable break with Orthodoxy. If anyone from the Press should ever ask you what you think of it, especially in light of the lay involvement by The United Synagogue, I strongly urge you to say that it is a completely internal affair and that while you have your opinions you do not feel it appropriate to make any public statement, except for the fact that you do not understand how ”Halakhah” can be decided by non-experts, such as lay leaders of the United Synagogue. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Orthodoxy & Other Denominations

Letter to R. Blau about Recommending "The Indivisible Isaiah" to Yavneh Students (1963)

Dear Rabbi Blau, At the end of January 1964, a book will be published by the Sura Institute of Yeshiva University which I think is of the utmost importance and should be read by every member of Yavneh across the country. The name of the book is “The Indivisible Isaiah: Evidence for the Single Authorship of this Prophetic Book” by Rachel Margalioth of Jerusalem, presently in New York. This 245-page volume is a translation and extensive revision of the Hebrew Shad Hayah Yeshayahu, which argues scientifically and consistently for the thesis that all the book of Isaiah was written by one author, and that there was only one Prophet Isaiah. The author is a distinguished biblical scholar who is in all ways loyal to the teachings and traditions of Torah. You can well appreciate that her work, which goes against the whole dogmatic trend of higher biblical criticism, is one which ought to be read and studied and pondered by every member of Yavneh as well as every thinking Orthodox Jew. Her arguments are forceful, novel, and in accordance with the Jewish scholarly methodology. I cannot urge you strongly enough to circularize this information to all members of Yavneh and encourage them to purchase the book and study it. The list price of the volume will be $4.75. However, I prevailed upon Mrs. Margalioth to make it available to Yavneh students for only $2.75 (less than the regular student discount). Please do give this your attention and try to circularize this to Yavneh as soon as is feasible. All orders should be sent to the author directly at 250 West 99th Street. Please let me hear from you on this matter. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.

Neviim Yavneh Student Group

Letter from Herman Wouk about the Value of Yavneh (1968)

Dear Norman: Thanks for your letter. I regard Yavneh as a seed that may become a great oak. It's not easy to recognize such seeds, and one can always be wrong. So I don't blame other laymen for not yet sharing my enthusiasm and faith. But I'll try to convey these to others, when a chance comes along. Marty is one in a million and typifies the best of Yavneh. Cordially, Herman Wouk

Yavneh Student Group