Dear Rivka: I am glad to Inform you that the Center will be happy to accommodate the Yavneh Study Institute for a period of six weeks in July and early August. We understand that a maximum of thirty students and about five teachers will be making use of our classrooms on the ninth floor from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. I suggest that you contact Mr. Aleck Bloomenthal, our Executive Director, as soon as possible concerning the arrangements.Unfortunately, it will be impossible for us to arrange for a supplementary class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Our building is closed weekday evenings during the summer months and the expense for opening it would be prohibitive. I am sure you will understand.With all good wishes for your success,Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Moe: I quite agree with your letter to Michael Hochstein about your criticism of the "Yavneh Review," I had voiced similar comments to the Assistant Editor when I saw the magazine. Nevertheless, it holds promise if the editors will accept guidance. Thank you for your warm comments with regard to my India correspondence. The reference to cemeteries is a Halakhic question which I have asked Dr. Weiss to look into and which I hope we shall then discuss and inform Bombay of the Pesak. I have given the problem of a part-time man careful consideration, but before I can propose any candidates I must have some idea of the funds available. Can you enlighten me?Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Blau: This time I am turning to you for a favor. One of the young men of my congregation, who is a rather good student but whose record is not good enough to get him into the top level colleges such as Harvard or Columbia, is interested in attending a school out-of-town, one with a good reputation and preferably one that has a special department for Business Administration. Naturally, being an observant young man, he is looking for a place where there is an active Jewish community, where there are facilities for kashruth and other observances, as well as a social life. Perhaps you could help me by making some suggestions. It is quite imperative that I get the information as soon as possible so that he will be able to fill out applications.I look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,**RABBI NORMAN LAMM**

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.

Dear Dr. Lamm: In reply to your letter of April 27th, I can only say that the preference system, which was worked out by the student government, cannot be changed at this late date. I am well aware of the problems being faced by students observing the dietary laws of Judaism because this question has come up repeatedly. However, Barnard chooses not to make special provisions for any student on the grounds of religion. After room selecting next week, if the Jewish students who need cooking facilities have not been able to secure rooms in 616 West 116th Street, I will try to see to it that they get rooms in the Fairholm, which does have kitchen facilities.Very sincerely,Mrs. James F. MeyersDirector of Residence and College ActivitiesEYM:dcw

I. Theme: לה' הארץ ומלואה (Ps 24) + how it finds expression in mo. (10!) halakhic inst'ns. Some – obvious. Others – interp (story: Queen Shiva). II. ברכות נהנין – ברכות סוף לה' ע"א – ת"ר אסור לו לאדם שיהנה מן העוה"ז בלא ברכה וכל הנהנה מן העוה"ז בלא ברכה... אר"י אמר שמואל, כל הנהנה מן העוה"ז בלא ברכה כאלו נהנה מקדשי שמים שנא' לה' הארץ ומלאה... So: מלך העולם = Lordship. III. קרבנות = acknow't אדנות. רדצ"ה on Abel (" ") + Cain (pay-off). Diff'ce: Abel confirms אדנות, C = rid of it. Thus קרבן לה' (ה' = personal relig) but זובח לאלהים וחרב

Dear Rabbi Lamm: My purposes in writing are two. First, I would like to get your advice on a matter that has been brought to our attention by Yavneh. We have been asked to draft legislation that would bar colleges in this state from requiring students who eat kosher food to participate in compulsory board plans. As you know from your own intervention, the school most directly involved is Barnard, which up to now, has refused to relax its board requirements to accommodate orthodox students. It should not be difficult to draft the legislation and to get it passed by the legislative. However, it is unlikely that such a law would be signed by the Governor, given the expected strong opposition of the state’s colleges. Accordingly, it might be best to continue attempts to persuade Barnard to give relief to the students. However, before making any decision, we would appreciate the benefit of your advice.The second matter concerns COLPA finances. As you know, we are in a precarious position and have tried to enlist the support of the various Orthodox organizations. Unfortunately, after two years – and considerable effort – we have received a total of $950 from all organizations. As a result, we owe money to our legal printer and just do not know how much longer we will be able to continue.This is all very sad, because I sincerely believe that we have demonstrated our value to the community. In the last few weeks alone, we have been active in a number of key areas. The New York Court of Appeals, in an historic decision, accepted the position we took and sustained the state's Textbook Law; representing all major Orthodox organizations, we have had notable success in the two suits launched by the American Jewish Congress attaching the constitutionality of the Federal Aid to Education Law; we negotiated an agreement with Police Commissioner Leary providing that police will stop harassing Orthodox shopkeepers who do business on Sunday; and we have played a major role in securin…

Dear Friend: As the parent of a member of Yavneh, the religious Jewish youth association, you have good reason to be proud. In an era when parents are increasingly concerned over the spiritual, religious and moral welfare of their children, your child is identified with a unique group of our very finest young men and women. In my capacity as chairman of Yavneh's National Advisory Board, I am filled with awe and admiration for the many achievements of Yavneh since it was established some seven years ago. Unheralded and without a parent organization to support them, these young people have created an exciting movement which is deserving of greater recognition. I urge you, therefore, to express your tangible support on behalf of Yavneh. I am sure you will agree that there is no better investment one can make than in his own child.Won’t you use the enclosed card and return envelope to demonstrate your support of Yavneh?Sincerely,Norman Lamm

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