The Five Torot and the World of Tomorrow Transcript of Dr. Berman’s investiture speech as delivered Sunday, September 10, 2017

t is deeply humbling to stand here today in this hallowed hall, this hall through which the voices of Rabbi Dr. Iour past continue to echo across the President, University generations, the voices of our early presidents, Dr. and Dr. , and those of the great scholars and sages who have lectured the shoulders of giants, and I begin my post-ordination, and my early teaching from this pulpit, most notably our talk today by asking you to join me in career — all occurred at YU. Even revered teacher of blessed memory showing recognition and appreciation my wife — I met Anita when I was Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. As we to the third and fourth presidents a senior in high school on the MTA- embark on this next phase of Yeshiva of , Dr. Norman Central blind date event. University’s illustrious history, I am Lamm and President . Intellectually, spiritually and socially fully conscious of the fact that we I first stepped into this room when I I am a product of this special are only here today because of the was 13 years old as a student of the institution. incredible work and sacrifice of so Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy. many leaders who have come before Most new presidents of universities Since that moment, I have been us. Whatever success we hope to need to learn the story of their inspired and nourished by Yeshiva achieve in shaping our future will be institutions to understand their University. My studies — high school, due to the fact that we are standing on narrative and their purpose, but I do college, graduate school, ordination,

The Five Torot of Yeshiva University

TORAT EMET

TORAT CHAIM

TORAT ADAM

TORAT CHESSED

TORAT TZION

5 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 not need to read a history book to is Yeshiva University? What does it mates and partners for life. Here in understand Yeshiva University. It is stand for? Yeshiva University our students have in my heart and it is in my soul, as it In my mind, there are five values that the opportunity to not just learn is in the heart and soul of so many of personify Yeshiva University, which I about Judaism but to experience you who are sitting here today and so would call the Five Torot or the five Judaism, to appreciate that Shabbat many people who are our friends and central teachings of our institution. is not just something we keep, it is partners throughout the world. something we treasure, and that living The first is Torat Emet — we believe We know instinctively what Yeshiva a life of faith adds great meaning and in truth. University is and what it is meant to joy to one’s life. be. We believe that God gave the Torah Moreover, at this moment in time, as to Moses at Mount Sinai. We believe Yet, interestingly, it is not always so cultures shift and as moral intuitions that in that Torah there are eternal easy to articulate. inevitably adjust, all parents know values, not subject to the vagaries and how difficult it is to help their Before I officially started as president vicissitudes of history. It is this pursuit children navigate the tension between in June, I spent three months living of truth that animates our intense tradition and an increasingly complex on campus commuting back and forth study of Torah during the day and world. Yeshiva University, located from Israel. When I moved out after deep into the night which, in turn, at the nexus between heritage and graduating college in 1991, I have to deepens our relationship with God. pioneering, provides the students of admit that I never thought that, 26 But we also believe that our goal is not the next generation with the tools for years later, I would move back into the simply to sit, study and live in some critical critique and self-reflection so Morg dorm, but life is full of surprises. ivory tower but that we must be fully that they can not only weather the During this time, I had the engaged in the world and responsible storms and tempests of contemporary opportunity to speak with board to the world. moral discourse but also leave here members, alumni and supporters both rooted and nimble, anchored We do not just believe in Torat Emet as well as meet with the faculty, in our values and equipped with the but also Torat Chaim — that our administrators and professional staff language and sophistication necessary truths and values must live in the of each of our schools, and spend to succeed as leaders in the world of world. much quality time with our students. tomorrow. And in most of my meetings, I asked Who are our graduates? By offering in one institution a the same question. What does Yeshiva They are and Jewish educators comprehensive, integrated educational University stand for? and they are lawyers and doctors, program that produces the Jewish Perhaps, unsurprisingly, there were accountants and financial analysts, leaders of the next generations many different answers and often social workers and psychologists, who are firmly committed, forward there was no answer at all. mothers and fathers, community focused, engaged in the world and leaders and leaders of industry — all pillars of society, Yeshiva University is This is a crucial question for us. of whom are out in the world, acting the world’s premier Jewish educational Yeshiva University is, of course, an daily as productive citizens of society. institution. institution; it has campuses, buildings and students. But, at its core, Yeshiva And we are uniquely qualified to raise But Yeshiva University is not just University is an idea. And it is this engaged Jewish citizens for whom for our Jewish students. We are also idea that gives us our strength and Judaism is vibrant and essential to proud to include a large non-Jewish positions us to be the educational their lives. Many of our students population in our graduate programs, and intellectual epicenter of a large come to campus with a full day school and this message applies to you as global movement. Therefore, before I education; some of our students come well. outline our direction for the future of from public school, with little to no The educational philosophy of Torah the institution, in the first part of this previous Jewish education. Here in u-Madda is based on Maimonides’ talk I need to address the question of Yeshiva University our students find directive to accept the truth from Yeshiva University as an idea. What friends for life, and often even soul whatever source it comes. We know

6 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 that there are great truths to be schools. is emblematic of our student body, as discovered in the study of the human For example, in Cardozo, Professor hundreds of our students participate mind, the physical world, literature, Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum leads the in these kinds of programs throughout legal interpretation and more. Our Ferencz Human Rights and Atrocity the academic year, channeling their belief in the higher purpose of Prevention Clinic, which fights against unique talents into extraordinary education is true for all of humanity. human rights violations and genocides acts of kindness. Just last week our In addition, Torat Chaim requires around the world. Dr. Bill Salton Student Life department initiated everyone to be engaged in the project heads the Parnes Clinic of the Ferkauf student-led missions to Houston to of applying these values and truths School of Psychology which provides help our fellow citizens recover from to the world, and we look to all of low-cost, high-quality psychological Harvey. Within minutes our sign-up our faculty and intellectual leaders treatment for a Bronx population that sheet had over a hundred students to guide us in this effort. As such, by would not otherwise be able to afford volunteering to go. utilizing our vast, interdisciplinary it. The Wurzweiler School of Social And this is what we do. At Yeshiva resources, Yeshiva University is Work is launching a new innovative University, we teach our students uniquely positioned to address the mental health clinic, which will help to fight for justice; to fight for the most pressing moral issues of the people from all walks of life cope underprivileged; to fight against day. In an era in which there is a with life stress issues. When I was violence; to fight against disease. breakdown of civil and civic discourse, visiting the Albert Einstein College we stand proud as educators, thought But most of all, at Yeshiva University of Medicine I encountered a group of leaders and moral voices for our we teach our students to fight against people sitting around a table who were generation. indifference. introduced to me as super-scientists. These are our first two values: Torat I asked them about their research and The values of Torat Adam and Torat Emet and Torat Chaim. each shared with me their work on Chesed pervade our entire university, fusing a lofty sense of human dignity But Yeshiva University does not only some matter crucial to the betterment with an inspiring commitment to believe in truth, it also believes in of humanity. One was a leader in the compassion. humanity. fight against AIDS, another the Zika virus, a third, breast cancer. These are our first four principles: Our tradition teaches us that each Torah that is True and Torah that is individual is created in God’s divine And this spirit exists not only in alive; a belief in human capacity and image and that it is a sacred task for our graduate schools, but in our the need to reach out to others. each individual to hone and develop undergraduate schools as well. I was their unique talents and skills. In walking in the library one night and And there is a fifth: Torat Tzion, the addition, we are charged with the saw two students with YU t-shirts. I Torah of Redemption. obligation to use these unique gifts in asked them where they were coming from and they replied: the START Torat Tzion of course directly relates the service of others; to care for our to the project of building the modern fellow human beings; to reach out Science Program. This is a program in which every week over 100 Yeshiva State of Israel. And this is very to them in thoughtfulness, kindness important to us as proud Zionists. and sensitivity, and form a connected University undergraduate students go to the local Manhattan public We certainly encourage students to community. These two values, move to Israel and we encourage humanity and compassion, are our schools to teach children about science and technology. When I heard those who live outside of Israel to next two Torot: Torat Adam and Torat devote their time and resources to Chesed. this I was very impressed, but it was only later that I discovered that this help Israel further its role as a shining One of the aspects of YU that simply program was actually launched by light to humanity. But it is also much amazed me when I was walking undergraduate students at Yeshiva more than that, because the return to around the university in the spring University seven years ago and has Israel in Jewish theology is, in and of is the way in which these themes subsequently spread to chapters in itself, part of a much greater narrative. of Torat Adam and Torat Chesed countries across the world. And this Torat Tzion tells us that we are not manifest themselves in each of our accidents of history, nor even simply

7 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 participants in history, but we are Fast forward the story by a couple of transcend destruction and to rebuild a drivers of history. decades, and one day Bubbe received lost world. a call from a friend of hers who just Torat Tzion requires us to understand It is my great joy at this point to pause returned from a trip to the former that as human beings we all have for a moment and acknowledge the Soviet Union. “Cyla” she said, “You one common, overarching goal, and presence of a woman who is over need to sit down, I have something that is to redeem the world, and 100 years old, beli ayin ha-ra, who astounding to tell you. Your brother, transform it for the better; to birth a is here with us today celebrating the Pinchas — he is alive. While you world suffused by justice, goodness, investiture of her grandson — ladies ran west, he escaped east. You each prosperity and transcendence. If, as and gentlemen, my Bubbe. Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed thought the other was dead, but To me, this story highlights the “The arc of the moral universe is Pinchas is alive and living in Russia.” reality of the Jewish world today, long but it bends towards justice,” Bubbe immediately contacted him, as it provides a stark contrast with then Torat Tzion charges us with the but they were never able to meet, the Jewish world of yesterday. The task of moving history forward. This as soon afterwards Pinchas died. prophet Ezekiel foretells a wondrous directive applies to all of humanity. Pinchas, though, had a daughter future in which the dry bones of And at this moment in time — more named Gala, who married Vladimer. Israel are brought back to life, but than at any point in the entire span of When they had a son, they named for us living today we know that this Jewish history — the Jewish people him Pinchas, after her father. Some is no dream; it describes our reality. are capable of partnering with the full years later, the Iron Curtain fell, and Pinchas and Shlomo once left for breadth of humanity to move history Gala and her family moved to Israel. dead have now returned in a new forward. Shortly thereafter, Anita and I were studying in Yeshiva University’s center generation. And look at the world Let me share with you a personal story in Israel. At the end of the year, Anita that they face today. It is an era that that illustrates this point. gave birth to our first son, whom we is simply unprecedented in Jewish My wife’s grandmother, Bubbe, is an named Shlomo after her grandfather history. extraordinary woman who survived who had recently passed away. I still We live in an era that is miraculous the Holocaust by evading the Nazis remember the scene when Bubbe and wondrous. The Jewish people are hiding in caves, forests and cemeteries. came to Israel for the bris. She was no longer lost in exile but have once She was born in Poland, and had a sitting with her new great grandson, again returned to their homeland. large family including her brother Shlomo, on her lap, when in came Torah study is open and accessible Pinchas to whom she was very close. a woman who carried a clear family throughout the world. Where once we Her childhood sweetheart, Shlomo, resemblance. It was her niece Gala might have looked at our neighbors eventually became her husband and whom she had never previously and saw only persecutors, today we together they lived a relatively quiet met. And with Gala came a little boy may look at them and see potential and peaceful life. But then the Nazis named Pinchas. And when Pinchas partners. And this presents us not only invaded Poland, entered their town, ran over to see the baby, once again with great opportunities but also great and gathered and killed all of its Jews. Bubbe was surrounded by Pinchas responsibilities. Bubbe managed to escape into the and Shlomo. As Rabbi Soloveitchik taught us in woods with Shlomo and a few of their You see, they thought they could kill 1956, in this very room, from this nephews and nieces, but no one else us, they thought they could remove very podium — some of you may in their large family was as fortunate. us from the earth, but Pinchas and even have been in this room — kol She never left her husband’s side and Shlomo were alive again, and this time dodi dofek, the voice of God is together they managed to evade the they connected with each other in metaphorically calling to us, knocking Germans, and found their way to Jerusalem, the capital of the modern at our door. He has placed us in this Romania. Following the war, they left Jewish State of Israel. Bubbe’s life incredible time, and he beckons us to Europe and went to Cuba, and then represents the dramatic story of the respond. when Castro rose to power, they fled Jewish people in the modern era, a once again, this time to New York. story of an indomitable spirit able to Yeshiva University represents the

8 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 kinds of thinkers and dreamers who population with limited higher technological innovations allowing have always believed in embracing education possibilities. Over the for greater accessibility to attract history and its opportunities. Now generations, our specific form and new student populations both in the more than ever before it is time to structure has shifted depending on United States and internationally. think bigger, to think beyond our times, needs and circumstances, but Moreover, we will actively seek to individual selves, to move history the core mission has always remained attract students who represent the forward, to spread positive values to the same. At this point, the world values of our institution, who are role the world and to fight for peace and has changed greatly but our task of models of our Five Torot, including prosperity for all of humanity and educating the next generation of students who show a propensity and with all of humanity. students and future leaders has not passion for their Torah studies, or who Torat Emet, Torat Chaim, Torat changed, it has just shifted to be in display extraordinary capabilities in Adam, Torat Chesed and Torat synch with our new realities. Today, areas that create new knowledge like Tzion — Truth, Life, Humanity, perhaps more than ever before, there in science and technology, or young Compassion and Redemption. is a need to raise generations of social entrepreneurs who stand out students who are both deeply rooted for their communal contributions, or These are the Five Torot that and forward focused. And Yeshiva those who have shown the courage differentiate us and are our identity. University will continue to look ahead of their convictions to respond to the They root us deeply within a into the future to open up new worlds historical opportunities of our era. structured value system while for them. For example, by creating scholarships providing moral guidance and And I say this specifically in respect to for students, who after studying for direction in living our lives. They a year in Israel, continue their stay propel us to develop our talents and three areas in which we will be looking to expand. there by volunteering for sherut leumi, skills while directing us to reach national service, or volunteering to outwards and connect to others in First, new industries: become members of Tzahal, soldiers kindness. And they inspire us with We will continue to excel at educating in the Israeli army, or students who a grand, historic purpose to make a our students in the areas of law and volunteer to join the United States difference, and impact the world. medicine, accounting and finance, Armed Forces. We already have a This is what we believe Judaism social work and psychology, significant number of these students represents and what God wants from education and scholarship. But as in our ranks and we will work to all of us. This is not just about Modern the global economy evolves we will attract even more of such people in Orthodoxy, or even Orthodoxy. These also create new opportunities for the years ahead, as these are the young are our messages to the Jewish people our students in the areas of STEM men and women we wish to showcase and to the world at large. — science, technology, engineering to our community as role models and future leaders, This is who we are — this is our and mathematics — as well as in the philosophy of life. health fields. The marketplace of And finally, new educational tomorrow will feature high demand pathways: And now that we have discussed for graduates trained in coding, data the idea of Yeshiva University, we analytics, quantitative analytical skills, We conceptualize Yeshiva University can focus on outlining the future of as well as those with entrepreneurial as a single, interconnected network, Yeshiva University as an institution. experience, and we will be preparing instead of a collection of separate Once we have established who we our students with the skill sets schools. As such, new connections are, we can now lay out where we are necessary to succeed in this new between our graduate schools going. And I have to tell you that the reality. and new pipelines between our future of Yeshiva University as an undergraduate and graduate programs, institution is bright and it is exciting. Second, new markets of students: like the Einstein College of Medicine, the Cardozo School of Law and the When Yeshiva was founded in the In our graduate and undergraduate programs we will be diversifying newly developed Katz School, will early 20thcentury, it met the needs enable our students to complete their of an Orthodox Jewish immigrant our offerings and utilizing the latest

9 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 studies here market-ready and poised our institutions so that a YU student in importance. We already have for immediate success. In addition, who earns a BA in computer science a relationship with a number of our tens of thousands of alumni can complete her or his studies with universities in China, and have over and friends are a crucial part of our a Master’s degree at Bar Ilan or the 30 Chinese students enrolled in our network and will play an important Hebrew University in such areas Katz School, and we will be looking role in our new educational models as data science, cybersecurity and to expand further. In addition to as connectors who will help place information technology. Through the growing our tuition base, these our students at summer positions or assistance of our alumni, this program efforts will allow us to spread Jewish advanced internships between their will include high-level internships in values and ideas across the world, college and graduate school years. the start-up and hi-tech industries in help shape future global partners and Moreover, we are looking to partner Israel. We have been closely working ambassadors for Israel and the Jewish with the graduate schools of other with Israel’s education ministry and community, and enable our students stellar institutions in their areas of government on this project, and they to develop a worldwide network that expertise. are providing us with substantial will be crucial for their success in the One manifestation of all of these support because they see Yeshiva future. University as their natural partners. points will be our new connections But most importantly, all of these There will be more announcements with Israel. As we know, Israel is innovative and exciting initiatives like this in the future but my point no longer simply a charity case will be advanced within the context now is that we will continue to for Diaspora Jews, but is now an of the Five Torot. Since its founding, leverage our close ties with Israel to economic powerhouse and major Yeshiva University has looked to open create these kinds of pipelines so that resource specifically in areas of new worlds for its constituencies, our students will receive the best innovation. Over the past few placing them within the framework training in the skill sets necessary to months, we have been working of our moral and religious ideals. succeed in the marketplace of the to formulate partnerships with Tomorrow’s Yeshiva University future, and the world of tomorrow. universities in Israel, and I am excited will continue in that effort. Our to report that just last week we But Israel is just the beginning. The differential will always be our Torot, reached agreements with Bar Ilan global economy is evolving and our values and teachings, our sense University and the Hebrew University emerging markets in places like of rootedness, together with our to create bridge programs between East Asia and India are growing drive to engage the world, directing

10 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778 We live in a rapidly changing world. Technology, medicine, education, and communications are progressing and shifting in fundamental ways. This presents daunting challenges but also extraordinary opportunities for humanity. Armed with a 3,000-year-old tradition of wisdom, Yeshiva University’s mission is to guide our students and broader society in seizing these opportunities and transforming our world of tomorrow for the better. the development of our own special how important it is for us to come friends in its dedication to promoting skills in the service of others, with together as one united whole; that the moral and material betterment of the overarching, grand purpose to in a time in which competition and human society. move history forward and impact self-focus are the underpinnings On and off campus, there is a great the world. And as we move into the of the society in which we live, our feeling about this moment and a great next era of our history, we will apply student body must exemplify the excitement for our future. our core principles to our current value of supporting one another and circumstances, and all of this in rooting for each other’s success. And To all of you who have long been part service to God. I mentioned to our students that I am of the Yeshiva University community, who have been nurtured by this We live in a rapidly changing world. rooting for them, that I am rooting for institution, who deeply understand Technology, medicine, education, each of them to succeed in life. And the enormous potential that lies and communications are progressing then one woman in the crowd shouted within our mission, who wish Yeshiva and shifting in fundamental ways. out: “Rabbi, we are rooting for you!” University not only to grow and This presents daunting challenges but I was very moved by what she said. expand but to rise and become the also extraordinary opportunities for And I want to tell you that this is the place it was always meant to be, and humanity. Armed with a 3,000-year- feeling that I have been experiencing for all those who are new to us, who old tradition of wisdom, Yeshiva both from inside and outside our are meeting Yeshiva University for University’s mission is to guide our university. Over the last number of the first time, who identify with our students and broader society in seizing months, I have been visiting many values, who see the importance of these opportunities and transforming communities in this country and such an institution for the Jewish our world of tomorrow for the beyond, and the overwhelming community and the broader society better. We will dedicate ourselves to feeling that I have walked away with — now is the time to get involved. empowering morally-mature, market- is how many people are rooting The participation of each and every ready graduates with the skill sets for for us to succeed. I have repeatedly one of you will make a real difference, lifelong success, endowing them with encountered a clear appreciation of strengthening and energizing our both the will and the wherewithal to the crucial importance of Yeshiva renewed sense of purpose. make a historic, significant impact on University, of the necessity for Yeshiva an ever-changing world. University to live up to its own ideals, For all of you sitting here today and for all of our friends who are listening This is the future of Yeshiva to raise the next generations of throughout the world — now is the University. leaders, and to serve as not only the premier Jewish higher educational time to come together. I will close with one final story: institute but also the spiritual and Join us in our journey. Be a part of Last week I spent Shabbat at our intellectual epicenter of a robust history, as we maximize our potential, Beren campus with our undergraduate global movement that unites the write a new chapter in the Jewish story women. And in a talk at the end of international Jewish community and work to make a lasting impact on Shabbat I mentioned to our students together with all of our partners and the history of all of humanity.

11 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Chanukah 5778