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February 27, 1987

Replies to Dr. Lamm on The Face of God (1987)

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Exchange with Shaul Bald about "The Face of God" (1987)

I am writing you regarding your worthy address on the Holocaust. I’m enclosing a maamar by the Or Hachaim Hakadosh which I believe has relevance to the topic of שואה. He reveals that certain rishut done by reshaim can cause a holocaust. Though not mentioning the aveira or aveirot that cause this catastrophe, he does state that people should curb their taava serucha. For if they do not do so, they may cause the death of countless נפשות, small and big, for which baal aveira is responsible.
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Letter about "The Face of God" (2006)

As I think you know, I am not by nature a meddler, but in this case I feel that the cause is worth the inconvenience of mediation. I have only one interest: to protect the Orthodox community from any more cynicism and hillul Hashem. That having been said, and with full knowledge that I have not discussed this at all with [name], I here offer you two parallel statements that I would like to propose to [name], if indeed both of you will agree to this plan. If you do not, then there is no reason for me to continue my efforts – which will be a relief to me, and probably to you as well. Here are the two statements that I suggest you approve for me to present to [name]. (1) “I am aware of all the pain and grief that has occurred because of the strife between myself and certain people at [synagogue], and I wish it were not so. I regret that this has gone on for some months. I believe it is time for reconciliation, in which all who have injured others by word or deed, whether intentionally or unintentionally, express contrition for their actions. I certainly include myself in that category, and hope that others will, in all honesty and modesty, come forth and do the same.” (2) “I am sorry that I was involved in the controversy which has caused so much grief for our synagogue, and that many people have been hurt. For my part, I regret any responsibility I may bear for this state of affairs, and hope that others will do likewise.” I ask of you now not to decide between them, choosing one and rejecting the other, but to give me your order of preference – which first, and which second. While the proposed statements are not engraved in stone, they present us with an opportunity to be oseh shalom. Revising them so that they make the statement stronger or weaker, to any appreciable extent, may well result in scuttling the entire effort and make eventual reconciliation even more remote. If neither of these is acceptable to you, please be open with me and tell me. If you can manage…
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Correspondence

Letter from Prof. Kirschenbaum about "The Face of God"

Dear Norman, I just came across a passage in Chochma Umussar Chelek Bet lehaSabba miKelm that should be of interest to you. After your piece on The Face of God and your presentation of hester panim, Judy remarked, "He may be hiding His face, but He does peek!" But my kushya still stands! Aaron.
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