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October 25, 1978

Stories for Speeches (1978)

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Directions for Further Work on Character Book (1972)

Finish introduction chapter by referring to current problems, using my Orthodoxy & Character essay written for Hollander. End by tying up the whole chapter as an “apology.” Chapter II – FREEDOM. Question of character as based on freedom. Refer first to Maimonides and emphasis on rational powers – say he’s representative of all Judaism – and show how we oppose both contemporary trends. Chapters 3 and 4 – take up as much of footnotage into text as possible. Chapter 5 – end tying to MAIMONIDES. Use him as first of three examples of Jewish characterology. Chapter 6 – CHABAD. Describe Tanya’s characterology. Use Teitelbaum, Glitzenstein. Look for fundamental principles that can serve as characterological fundamentals – or typology – as in Maimonides. Chapter 7 – HAZON ISH. Use my notes, and expand on my references to him in introduction chapter. Use his own Emunah u’Vitachon, etc., and Kalman Kahana.
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Heard at American Jewish Committee Conference (1975)

"Bad News – Disguised": A committee was appointed to investigate the educational system in a certain town. They did their work and came up with a report: Everything is good – the teachers are good pedagogues, the curriculum is excellent, etc. Only two things are lacking: a candle and honey. No one knew what it meant, except for one wise man: עס איז פינסטער און ביטער – "It is dark and bitter.""Jewish Survival; Longevity" An old Jew comes into an insurance company for a life insurance policy. He is told that it is impossible because he is too old. “How old are you?” He answers: 101. “Why, that is impossible – we never give insurance to people of that advanced age.” “But you gave my father an insurance policy just last week!” “Really? And how old is he?” The answer: 142. The agent goes and checks his files, and discovers that it is indeed correct. “All right,” he says, “we can do so, but you've got to come for a physical next Tuesday.” The old man replies: “Sorry, I can't make it.” “Why not?” “Because my grandfather is getting married on that day.” “How old is he?” The answer: 173. “And he really wants to get married at that age?” “Not really – but his parents are pressuring him…”State of Israel Rabbi Maimon used to say: “For 2,000 years Jews prayed for a Jewish state – and it had to happen to me!”
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Synagogue Sermon

This Term's Course to Date (1972)

Lecture – Topic – Source Readings. 1 – What is religion, faith, religious symbols, myth. The Torah as religious myth and halakha as religious symbolism – Tyllich, Dynamics of Faith; Heschel, God in Search of Man. 2 – Religious doubt; conceptional analysis of halachic mourning practices – M. Lamm, The Jewish Way In Death and Mourning. (Lecture is really book on "אמר משה, הא-ל הגדול וכו"). 3 – Adam I-II – Soloveitchik, Lonely Man of Faith. 4 – Prayer – Widowely, Prayer: A Jewish View. 5 – Halakhic Sexual Ideas I
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