Dorm Talks

The second Dorm Talks of the Spring 1999 Semester took place Monday evening, April 26, 1999. Featuring Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, the Dorm talks were moderated by Rabbi Yosef Blau and Coordinated by Rabbi Joshua Cheifetz.

The evening began with a tribute by Rabbi Lamm to Rabbi Cheifetz, who is retiring after 38 years of service to Yeshiva University. Rabbi Lamm noted that in serving 10 generations of students, Rabbi Cheifetz added stability to the school which will be sorely missed.

The talks then continued with the first topic, which discussed a student who does not feel motivated by traditional Talmud study and wishes to concentrate on Biblical commentaries. Rabbi Lamm mentioned that he had once addressed IBC students, and assured them that they had no reason to feel inferior if they did not have "gemara kups." In response, he was presented with a mug emblazoned with "Gemara Kup." He recommended trying a change in Rebbe or havruta in order to better inspire yourself to learning. He also noted that no beginning is easy, and one should not give up without a struggle.

That having been said, he went on to discuss the Rambam's suggested breakup of your learning time into one-third written Torah, one-third oral Torah, and one-third expounding on your learning, also known as Gemara. He noted that Biblical commentaries and Mishna are considered to be in the corpus of the oral Torah. Several reasons were given for spending the majority of your time on Gemara. Lamm did not feel that this model was flawed, but he was heavily critical of the pre-college Jewish education as lacking any serious Tanach and Mishna, and jumping into Gemara unprepared. He encouraged a working person whose learning time is limited to always learn some Gemara, but to keep the main focus on whatever area of Torah he prefers.

The next topic dealt with the role of lay leadership in the community. Rabbi Lamm stressed that it is imperative that those who do not choose to become involved in "melechet hakodesh" become involved in lay leadership. He noted that without lay leaders, none of us would be where we are. In the oft-quoted Yissachar-Zevulun model, it takes many Zevuluns to support one Yissachar, and not only wealthy people are required to give tzedaka.

Moving on to the relationship between the lay leaders and the Rabbi of a community, Rabbi Lamm stressed that the lay leaders are welcome to express opinions, but the most important thing is to always treat the Rabbi with derech eretz and have respect for his Torah. He also pointed out that the job of a Rabbi is extremely difficult, since you are always being scrutinized by the congregation, and stressed that lay leaders keep this in mind when dealing with the community Rabbi.

The last topic of the evening was the role of religion and religious law in the State of Israel. Rabbi Lamm noted that many in Israel are not interested in our Torah. There are also many aspects of the religious community, such as dishonesty and a desire to "take and not give," that denigrate our community. He urged an end to religious legislation in Israel, as we will have more success with hashpa'ah (influence), rather than with k'fiah (force).

In response to several questions at the end, Rabbi Lamm expounded on the role of democracy in Israel. He bemoaned the invasion of American culture and politics into Israeli society, and stressed that some distinctions must be maintained to keep Israel a Jewish state. But nonetheless, they must remain a democracy, and thus he rejected the idea of passing a law to require the prime minister to be Jewish. Among other suggestions to maintain a Jewish majority, Rabbi Lamm suggested a Palestinian state as a solution. With regards to the popular issue of marriage in Israel, Rabbi Lamm noted that every country has restrictions on marriage, and that the Jewish state is entitled to them as well. Lamm indicated however, that some restrictions, such as those concerning a Kohen and a divorcee, may need to be rethought.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to interact with Rabbi Lamm and discuss the pertinent issues of the day. Matityahu Balas, YC/IBC senior, "It was a shame Mordechai Levovitz didn't speak up. Nonetheless, I found it interesting."