Festivals of Faith

 Sod HaParasha is a compilation of 54 weekly essays - one on each of the respective Parashiot. The impetus to write a weekly article began with a request from Shmuel Ahron (Alan) Lipman A’H to contribute a monthly essay on the Parasha based on the Sodot HaTorah. He was to solicit a few others in writing and forming a rotation for a weekly Parasha distribution. After agreeing to compose the opening article on Beresheet - I was expecting a reprieve until at the earliest Parashat Vayera or Ĥaye Sarah. Alan approached me once again prior to Parashiot Noaĥ and Lekh Lekha informing me that he was unable to procure commitments from other formidable writers. After some relentless prodding I found myself writing a weekly Torah article throughout that year and what you have before you is the result of those efforts. The endnotes which cite much ofthe source Festivals of Faith: Reflections on the Jewish Holidays is a collection of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm's thoughts on the Jewish holidays culled principally from his sermons and divrei Torah delivered while he was Rabbi of The Jewish Center in New York City. Each discourse is an individual gem, and together they constitute a treasure trove of profound insights and inspiring teachings. Spanning the entire year, Festivals of Faith contains several selections for each holiday. Those familiar with Rabbi Lamm and his work will find numerous examples of Rabbi Lamm's consummate ability to captivate his audience with intellectually compelling concepts masterfully expressed in his eloquent style. Celebrate the holidays with Rabbi Lamm as they take on new meaning in the hands of this master of Jewish thought and tradition. Rabbi Norman Lamm, Chancellor of Yeshiva University and Rosh HaYeshiva of its affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, is one of the most gifted and profound thinkers of the Modern Orthodox community. He was the founding editor of Tradition, the journal of Orthodox thought published by the Rabbinical Council of America, and to this day convenes the Orthodox Forum, a think tank of rabbis, academicians, and community leaders that meets annually to discuss topics of concern in the Orthodox community. Rabbi Lamm served for many years as Rabbi of The Jewish Center, one of New York City's most prominent and vibrant Orthodox synagogues. A prolific author in the field of Jewish philosophy and law, a distinguished academician, and a charismatic pulpit rabbi, Rabbi Lamm has made, and continues to make, an extraordinary impact on the Jewish community. With a rare combination of penetrating scholarship and eloquence of expression, he has successfully presented a Torah view of contemporary Jewish life that speaks movingly to all.
David Shatz is Professor of Philosophy at Yeshiva University. Simon Posner is Executive Editor of OU Press.