The first of three scenarios addressed by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm at this year's third Dorm Talks served to clarify his view of religious tolerance in the context of what may be a relatively heterogonous environment that students find themselves in here at Yeshiva.

Standing for perhaps the last time in the setting as sole leader of Yeshiva University, Rabbi Lamm urged the capacity crowd in the Morgenstern Residence Hall lounge that while espousing religious tolerance as necessary for the free practice of religion in general, we must reject the idea of unqualified religious pluralism.

Rabbi Lamm told attendees of the February 6th affair that one cannot believe that all other sects of Judaism are equally correct, regardless of their own rights to practice what they believe.

"This contradicts the Jewish vision of the world," he warned. "We cannot be simultaneously right and wrong, for we believe that we are correct yet must reserve the right to say 'Sir, I believe you are wrong.'" Rabbi Lamm introduced the term "halachic Pluralism" to describe the level of ideological acceptance Orthodox Jews must have for each other. Within the bounds of halacha, many things go, and one halachic sect has no grounds to denounce or deny the other.

Traditionally scheduled once or twice per semester, Dorm Talks is a forum in which a guest speaker, usually Rabbi Lamm, discusses topics both relevant and pressing to the Jewish collegiate world in a casual, comfortable setting. This time the topics discussed addressed the ideological concerns felt by new students unfamiliar with the Yeshiva University environment.

How does one balance his Torah studies with everyday concerns outside Yeshiva? When does one sacrifice Torah for work, and vice versa? Highlighting a relevant issue facing the student body, these questions - begged by the second scenario - met an educated response. Rabbi Lamm began his answer using Maimonides' example as his model.

Despite the fact that Maimonides would spend all the necessary time in his occupation of treating the sick -- and perhaps some political items were on his agenda as well -- he would spend all his free time involved learning. After establishing self-sufficiency and discharging his obligations, Maimonides dedicated what little unclaimed time he possessed to G-d.

Rabbi Lamm explained that one can draw a parallel from Maimonides to the delicate balance we must create in our own lives. Whereas those who are not needed by the community spiritually must support themselves rather than be supported, securing free time for Torah, whatever a person's occupation, is a must.

In contrast with these two timeless issues, the third scenario presented a problem that has greatly begun to bewilder the larger Jewish community: Jewish-Arab relations. How should the Yeshiva student react, what should he feel, about the Palestinian conflict, Arab community at large, and most importantly, towards fellow students with disparate opinions? Feeling under the weather, Dr. Lamm was unable to address these final issue as the program wound down.

"I was very disappointed about that," said Yeshiva College Junior Elchanan Zurndorfer. "This [third topic] was the reason that I came to Dorm Talks and missed night seder, and Rabbi Lamm did not bring it up at all."

Generally, however, students were overwhelmingly impressed with the program. "I think [Dorm Talks] is a great thing. We really get a chance to understand Dr. Lamm," said an enthusiastic Dov Mauer, a junior in Yeshiva College, adding, "I would go again, to hear the President."

Yeshiva Junior Yair Amsel applauded the dorm talks format explaining "Dorm Talks differ from normative forums in that students can ask about particular situations. Whenever I go, it reminds of a she'elos u'teshuvos [question and answer] session, in that attendees get the answers to their concerns from competent authorities."

Yeshiva College senior Aaron Brody summed up the program by gushing, "Considering the success of the Dorm Talks enterprise, it remains to be seen how the program will continue to provide the [Wilf] student body with insight into the difficulties and dilemmas that face the Jewish community for a long time to come."

"I hope both Rabbi Lamm and his successor continue this fine tradition far into the future," concluded an event organizer.