Norman Lamm Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Norman (Nochum) Lamm, or Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, (born, 1927, Brooklyn, USA), major modern Orthodox Judaism rabbi, and Jewish communal leader. He is presently the Chancellor of Yeshiva University.and Rosh Yeshiva of YU]]He was the third President of Yeshiva University (YU), and the first to be born in the USA. He also holds a Ph.D in Jewish philosophy. He is a disciple of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (Modern Orthodoxy's most influential scholar), who ordained him as a Rabbi at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS, the YU rabbinical school) in 1951.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Rise 3 Centrist 4 Torah Umadda and Zionism 5 Actively retired 6 Controversy 7 External links |
Youth
In his youth, Lamm attended the Haredi yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn. At Yeshiva College (YC, the forerunner of YU) he obtained a degree in Science in 1949, at which he excelled. He also attended a secular postgraduate college, the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He considered a career in science, but was persuaded by Rabbi Dr. Samuel Belkin, the second President of Yeshiva University (successor of Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revell), to join the faculty at YU.
Rise
Obtaining his Ph.D. in 1966, his rise was rapid, and from an early stage he was groomed for a leadership role, given his intellectual, oratorical, and organizational skills, as well as his unswerving loyalty to his alma mater at YU. When he finally took over the institution, he not only saved it from looming bankruptcy, but raised its endowments to previously unheard of record levels.
Centrist
Dr. Lamm is the eloquent voice for "Centrist Orthodoxy" (which is used interchangeably with Modern Orthodoxy) regarding itself as the "center" between the "left wing" branches of Judaism, such as Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism, and the movements of the "right wing" such as Haredi Judaism. He is a gifted speaker and writer, and has a vast command of the English language that often dazzles his listeners. His bother, Rabbi Maurice Lamm is also a very talented and gifted rabbi, writer and organizer.
Torah Umadda and Zionism
Dr. Lamm introduced the concept of Torah Umadda and is its major proponent. Torah Umadda ("Torah and science") aims at blending the highest level of Torah learning with worldly (secular) knowledge. His admirers in the Modern Orthodox camp strongly favor his views, whereas those on the "right" see it as a betrayal of the "pure sanctity" (taharat hakodesh) of Torah. One of the contentious issues is the "encroachment" of scientific viewpoints on concepts of Jewish theology.
Dr. Lamm is a strong believer in modern Zionism, and a strong supporter and leader of the Religious Zionism movements in America and the State of Israel. He is highly regarded and respected by Israeli politicians and leaders.
Actively retired
Dr. Lamm recently stepped down as President in 2003, and was succeeded by Richard Joel as the fourth YU President, also a graduate of Yeshiva University and the first layman to hold the office. He is a former attorney who also led the Bnai Brith's international Hillel student organization. Richard Joel had previously been associate dean and professor at YU's Cardozo Law School and was an assistant district attorney in New York City.
Dr. Lamm was given the active position of Chancellor of YU [1] after 27 years as President. He still maintains his title as Rosh Yeshiva ("head of the yeshiva") of YU's rabbinical school(known as RIETS in short) so he is still very much both titular and spiritaul head of Modern Orthodox Judaism. He was installed in the new position created for him as Chancellor of Yeshiva University in Hune of 2003. He continues to play a crucial role in the affairs of the institution to which he has devoted his life.
Controversy
Dr. Lamm has always been a lightning-rod for praise but also criticism, the criticism mainly stemming from his handling of controversial issues facing the Jewish community, such as co-operating with the non-Orthodox branches regarding conversions (giur) of gentile spouses to Judaism. He remains undaunted and independent when facing criticisms from outside his camp.
This is an Article on Norman Lamm. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Norman Lamm External links