מעלות כבודו הרב הנעלה מורנו הרב נחום לאם שליט״א, שלום וברכת מועדים לשמחה! קראתי בעניין את מאמרו בחוברת האחרונה של הדרום – אין דיני פסול כהונה לנסיעת כפיים, ואמרתי להעירו בדברים אחדים אשר לדעתי לא דק בהם, והדברים נוגעים למעשה: 1) כבוד תורתו הניח כיסוד דפסולו של עובר עבירה דנכרי – דמומר כנכרי לכל דבריו.

Dear Rabbi Gerstein: It has been brought to my attention that very often the time that we give in our respective Bulletins for the end of the Sabbath varies from one synagogue to another. We can appreciate, of course, that laymen sometimes wonder which is really correct, and naturally, prefer the earlier time. May I suggest, therefore, that all of us in the midtown area follow one system. That could be either the schedule published by the Vaad Harabbonim, or that proposed by Mr. Edgar Frank.Please let me know your thoughts about the matter so that we can have this accomplished even in time for the rest of the season.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Lookstein: It has been brought to my attention that very often the time that we give in our respective bulletins for the end of the Sabbath varies from one synagogue to another. We can appreciate, of course, that laymen sometimes wonder which is really correct and, naturally, prefer the earlier time. May I suggest, therefore, that all of us in the midtown area follow one system. That could be either the schedule published by the Vaad Harabonim, or that proposed by Mr. Edgar Frank. Please let me know your thoughts about the matter so that we can have this accomplished even in time for the rest of the season. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Goldstein: It has been brought to my attention that very often the time that we give in our respective Bulletins for the end of the Sabbath varies from one synagogue to another. We can appreciate, of course, that laymen sometimes wonder which is really correct and, naturally, prefer the earlier time. May I suggest, therefore, that all of us in the midtown area follow one system. That could be either the schedule published by the Vaad Harabonim, or that proposed by Mr. Edgar Frank. Please let me know your thoughts about the matter so that we can have this accomplished even in time for the rest of the season. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Jakobovits: It has been brought to my attention that very often the time that we give in our respective bulletins for the end of the Sabbath varies from one synagogue to another. We can appreciate, of course, that laymen sometimes wonder which is really correct and, naturally, prefer the earlier time. May I suggest, therefore, that all of us in the midtown area follow one system. That could be either the schedule published by the Vaad Harabonim, or that proposed by Mr. Edgar Frank. Please let me know your thoughts about the matter so that we can have this accomplished even in time for the rest of the season. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Mr. Frank: I thought you might be interested in knowing that I discovered a typographical error in one of the important tables in your book, Zemanim. On page 78, the figure given for January 1st, 40° N. should be 4.45 rather than 4.15. The problem came to my attention when we tried to reconcile the figure you presently have on page 78 with the time you give for kindling of the lights for New York on January 1st on page 82.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Adams: It has been brought to my attention that very often the time that we give in our respective Bulletins for the end of the Sabbath varies from one synagogue to another. We can appreciate, of course, that laymen sometimes wonder which is really correct and, naturally, prefer the earlier time. May I suggest, therefore, that all of us in the midtown area follow one system. That could be either the schedule published by the Vaad Harabonim, or that proposed by Mr. Edgar Frank.Please let me know your thoughts about the matter so that we can have this accomplished even in time for the rest of the season.Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Norman, I am returning the proofs of my communication and I wish to thank you for including the proof of your reply. I feel it incumbent upon me however, for the sake of truth, logic and halachic veracity, to inform you that the reply you give in no way answers my objections to your article. At the outset it would be advisable to bear in mind that the intent of your article was to prove that the Conservative amendment is invalid because of its ‘asmachta’ nature. In order to accomplish that noble purpose it must be shown that no halachic authority would or could consider this amendment other than an ‘asmachta’. If there can be found one authority who would not consider this an ‘asmachta’ you have failed in your purpose. Therefore, the fact that “you believe” that Mekhirah 11:17 should be interpreted in a certain manner is no proof that it must so be interpreted. Unless and until you can prove that no other explanation is possible you have failed in your appointed task, for I can with the full sanction of halacha state, as I did, that the Rambam maintains that an agreement to pay an indemnity sum is binding if it is made under a wedding canopy. You may disagree but you have not disproven my contention. You have not shown that the Conservative amendment, except according to your understanding of Mekhirah 11:17, is an ‘asmachta’. For the same reason your reply to my third point is also not an acceptable answer. Whether or not you personally concede that a ‘kinyan’ and a retroactive clause are sufficient to neutralize the ‘asmachta’-nature of a contract is immaterial and inconsequential. If there is any halachic basis for such concessions then you cannot with impunity invalidate the Conservative Ketubah. In truth, however, I addressed myself mainly to your very lucid statement that even with these concessions it would remain an ‘asmachta’, and you must admit that the reverse is the only logical conclusion.

Dear Rabbi Jakobovits: Rabbi Langer, Rabbi Adams and I have so far agreed to 7:14 as the time for the end of Yom Kippur, in accordance with the Edgar Frank tables. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Moetzet Harabanut Harashit hemlita sheen issur nisssuim im bnei Israel vechol harabanim messadre hanissuim lebarer kol mikre lefi oraot harabanut – nekuda tzarich lishloah rav laheda behdu habaki betiv guittin vekidushin – Harav Harashi Nissim.