Dear Rabbi Lamm: My name is Evan Lyman. I am a sophomore here at Yeshiva University, and I am enrolled at Sy Syms School of Business Last year I learned at Reishit Yerushalayim in Beit Shemesh. For an English class this semester, I have to write a research report on a topic of my choice. I am writing on the question of, can a Jew learn secular studies, and of course your book Torah Umadda was a primary source. However, even after my research, I am left with one point that still requires some clarification. If you do not mind, and have the time to answer (even al regel achat), can you answer me the following question? When a Jew4€™s learning of a secular topic, like science, will increase his Yiras Shamayim, than the study is not only excepted but encouraged. Like yourself, I am sure you saw God everywhere during your advanced scientific studies you pursued at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. If a Jew studies secular topics to aid him in his occupation, to earn a parnusa, again, that learning is encouraged. However, my question is; what if the learning of a particular topic does neither? Not for parnusa, dad€™yachus la Hashem or Yiras Shamayim? An answer I thought of was: perhaps something that seems unimportant now will be used in the future to connect to a lost soul and be helpful in Kiruv, or parnusa, or Yirat shamayim. That answer did not satisfy me since there is no line to be drawn, no list of Liberal Arts subjects a Jew should study. The idea of..."just learn anything and maybe it will come to use" sounds like it would not be a good idea, after going through the sources. Instead of studying random topics for knowledge not Led€™maysa, shouldn't that Jew be studying Torah? If I chose to write my research report on a topic that has no connection to Torah or parnusa, or Yirat Shamayim, would that be mutar when I could be using those hours of research to read and write on a Torah subject? I understand that you are probably being pulled in a million direction…

Dear Hilda, I trust you are well. I know that Rabbi Lamm is not too well and that inevitably our 40+ years correspondence has dried up. But if possible I would love you to be able to pass on to him my love and appreciation for our transatlantic relationship over such a long period. It was truly a most wonderful lifeline for me, full of inspiration and good advice. I miss his letters which became progressively shorter the more responsibilities he assumed. To him and his wife Mindy my fondest good wishes. Thank you. Mike