Spring Break
Bring Wisdom to the YU Logo
Yechiel Robinson
Issue date: 9/20/05 Section: Opinion
President Richard M. Joel's administration has recently posted a new motto, "Bring Wisdom to Life," on the website and campuses of Yeshiva University. The adoption of this empty slogan follows the Joel administration's decision in 2003 to replace the traditional logo of Yeshiva University - which contained the motto "Torah u-Madda" - with a simple blue drawing of the letters Y and U under an interlocking pair of flames. Sadly, the Joel administration prefers mere aesthetics over true meaning.
According to YU Today (Dec. 2003, p. 6), Yeshiva College and Yeshiva University have used at least five logos. In 1932, when only the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and the fledgling Yeshiva College (YC) existed, YC adopted a logo containing the names of both schools. That picture contained numerous symbols: a Torah scroll, a Star of David, a Tree of Life, and a menorah. It also quoted part of a verse from Isaiah, "The faith of your times will be the strength of your salvations, wisdom and knowledge; fear of God-that is [man's] treasure" (33:6). Similar logos from that era appeared in an article by Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter ("Torah u-Madda at Yeshiva College," Commentator, Aug. 30, 2004).
The traditional shield was developed in 1945, when Yeshiva became a university. It maintained the name of RIETS and introduced the motto "Torah u-Madda" (Torah and knowledge), printed on a Torah scroll. Commemorative logos marked YU's 75th anniversary in 1961 and its 100th anniversary in 1986. Both logos contained a small copy of the 1945 emblem.
The YU Today article concludes as follows:
"Now, to meet the challenges of a dynamic and diverse university in the 21st century, with many constituent schools and colleges, President Richard M. Joel commissioned the design of a new logo - for use in conjunction with the shield of the university.
"The new logo, designed by Harvey Marks and drawn and engineered by Yeshiva University art directors, depicts the flames of Torah and Madda emerging, intertwined, from the letters 'YU,' which form an oil lamp. The flames of Torah and Madda carry the traditional philosophy of the university forward. The oil lamp celebrates the restoration of the Temple in 165 BCE, and represents the continuing challenge to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of noble ideals."
According to YU Today (Dec. 2003, p. 6), Yeshiva College and Yeshiva University have used at least five logos. In 1932, when only the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and the fledgling Yeshiva College (YC) existed, YC adopted a logo containing the names of both schools. That picture contained numerous symbols: a Torah scroll, a Star of David, a Tree of Life, and a menorah. It also quoted part of a verse from Isaiah, "The faith of your times will be the strength of your salvations, wisdom and knowledge; fear of God-that is [man's] treasure" (33:6). Similar logos from that era appeared in an article by Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter ("Torah u-Madda at Yeshiva College," Commentator, Aug. 30, 2004).
The traditional shield was developed in 1945, when Yeshiva became a university. It maintained the name of RIETS and introduced the motto "Torah u-Madda" (Torah and knowledge), printed on a Torah scroll. Commemorative logos marked YU's 75th anniversary in 1961 and its 100th anniversary in 1986. Both logos contained a small copy of the 1945 emblem.
The YU Today article concludes as follows:
"Now, to meet the challenges of a dynamic and diverse university in the 21st century, with many constituent schools and colleges, President Richard M. Joel commissioned the design of a new logo - for use in conjunction with the shield of the university.
"The new logo, designed by Harvey Marks and drawn and engineered by Yeshiva University art directors, depicts the flames of Torah and Madda emerging, intertwined, from the letters 'YU,' which form an oil lamp. The flames of Torah and Madda carry the traditional philosophy of the university forward. The oil lamp celebrates the restoration of the Temple in 165 BCE, and represents the continuing challenge to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of noble ideals."
