This past summer, two Straus Scholars at the pursued research projects on important figures in Jewish intellectual history. These projects, conducted by Josh Shapiro (YC ‘25) and Matthew Minsk (YC ‘26), exemplify the scholarly rigor and intellectual curiosity fostered by the Straus Center.

Josh Shapiro: Bridging Tradition and Modernity with Shadal

Josh Shapiro focused his research on the writings of Samuel David Luzzatto (Shadal), a nineteenth-century Italian biblical exegete and philosopher. His work, in preparation for his senior thesis project under the supervision of Rabbi Shalom Carmy, centered on Shadal’s innovative approach to the Jewish Oral Law and how it relates to the Written Law.

While throughout Jewish history much criticism has been directed toward rabbinic exegesis, Shadal depicts the Jewish Sages as morally sensitive and deliberate in their efforts to legislate. Shapiro also studied how Shadal sought to bridge the gap between modernity and tradition. Shadal’s philosophical essays, written for Jews captivated by secular ideologies like nationalism, equality, and freedom, reframed Judaism as consistent with these values.

Reflecting on his research process, Shapiro emphasized the transformative impact of encountering primary sources directly, which sparked new insights and interpretations. The Straus Center’s emphasis on engaging with seminal Jewish figures equipped Shapiro to appreciate Shadal’s ability to navigate tradition and modernity. “Whether it be my classes on Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Kook, or Menachem Begin, I have been taught to find these figures, examine their writings closely, and ponder the broad impact they have on the world.” 

Matthew Minsk: Curating Rabbi Lamm’s Legacy

Matthew Minsk’s summer research focused on the Lamm Heritage Archives, a project to organize and make accessible the works of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm zt”l, the esteemed former president of . Under the guidance of the archives’ director Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Sinensky, Minsk sorted through tens of thousands of pages of scanned files, cataloging essays, speeches, and correspondence to build a searchable database for researchers and the public.

This meticulous work provided Minsk with a window into Rabbi Lamm’s intellectual breadth. The documents he examined included Rabbi Lamm’s numerous articles and speeches about halakha and aggadah and Modern (or Centrist) Orthodoxy. Minsk also uncovered biographical gems, such as an article Rabbi Lamm wrote for Yeshiva College’s French language journal Le Flambeau about Meiri (a thirteenth-century Talmudist) as an undergraduate, as well as materials relating to Rabbi Lamm’s involvement with Yavneh, the Orthodox campus movement active from the 1960’s through the 1980’s.

As a Straus Scholar, it was particularly meaningful for Minsk to read the writings of Rabbi Lamm, who “literally wrote the book on .” Minsk also reflected on the relevance of Rabbi Lamm’s teachings to contemporary issues. “It was clear to me that leaders of the past generation grappled with many of the same lightning-rod topics and provided sources of guidance and inspiration.” A particularly striking parallel emerged when Minsk discovered Rabbi Lamm’s writings on presidential immunity in connection to the Nixon tapes, echoing recent debates about the scope of presidential immunity and executive privilege.

Shapiro’s and Minsk’s research projects demonstrate their shared commitment to Jewish scholarship and reflect the Straus Center’s mission to train students to Orthodox intellectual leaders well versed in both Torah and the Western canon.