Correspondence
Poem of Gratitude from Students of R. Lamm (1976)
To our rabbi and morenu, as the only grandmother in your class I have the privilege to pass as a freeloader not a lass. I sit in the back, take no test, chew no gum, that’s why I enjoy your shiur best. From Cordovero to the Ari, from Luria to Sabbatai Zvi, you taught us Kelipoth, Sefiroth, Mitzvoth, Nissasoth, and loovo Haleavooth. As a teacher unsurpassed in “ism” we learned Theism, Deism, Pantheism, Atheism, Antinomianism, Gnosticism, Anthropopathism, Anthropomorphism, Neoplatonism, Mysticism, and Chassidism. We heard about Sefer Yetzirah, Nefesh and Neshamah, Yirah and Ahavah, Ruach and Yechidah, Emunah and Kedushah, Sittra Acharah and Chochmah, transcendence, and immanence. In our sleep we repeat Torah luminesce like Scheneur Zalman in the Tanya. Keter, Binah, Chochmah, Din, Tifereth, Chesed, Netzach, Hod, Yessod, Malkuth. We really didn’t waste our time, if nothing else we acquired a gift for rhyme. You taught us Chassiduth, not just “mesisses” but Devekuth. To all the boys and lasses in Rabbi Lamm’s classes may I recommend at the proper time, a book, not of rhymes but of prose, it is called a “Hedge of Roses”. Thinking of which they’ll be, they’ll gain “Faith” not “Doubt”, something of which they’ll be proud, they’ll acquire kindness and stability, they’ll reach “Royal” heights in love and purity. In “Bereshith” we knew “Ayin” but acquired knowledge not through Reb Nachman but Reb Nachum of Y.U. and Stern College. May G-d grant you and your whole mishpachah many, many years of life and strength. Respectfully, your chavurah.
