ôOur generation sees in him that rare blend, that light of
Torah, righteousness, kindness and truth that few people merit.ö This is how one of
our generationÆs leaders described Rabbi Avraham Pam.
For sixty-three years, he taught Gemara and Halachah, but
he taught more. He taught ù and demonstrated in his personal life ù how to bring
glory to Hashem and His Torah. He taught his students to be men of integrity;
caring, thoughtful people, whose words heal and never hurt.
Rav Pam shunned the limelight. He preferred to devote his
days and nights to his lifeÆs passion; the study and teaching of Torah. But when
Heaven decreed otherwise, he accepted leadership reluctantly, regretfully ù and
with a sense of responsibility that did not waver until his last breath.
In this warm, riveting, comprehensive biography, you will
meet a man to whom, scores streamed for counsel and blessing, whose countenance
radiated purity and whose humility masked a clear, decisive viewpoint that rang
with Torah truth. The author, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, knew Rav Pam, his soul,
and his milieu ù and it shows clearly in this loving, accurate, and inspiring
portrait of a very great man.
This is a book that must be read.
And then it should be read again and again, so that the
image of Rav Pam will remain fresh in our minds and light the way for us and our
children.