BJL notes the passing of Rabbi Maurice Lamm z”l, former rabbi at Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills, California, and the author of many bestselling Jewish books. He was 86 years old.

Rabbi Lamm, who lecturer nationally, was the author of “The Jewish Way of Death and Mourning,” “The Jewish Way in Love and Marriage,” “Becoming A Jew,” “Living Torah in America,” and many other volumes.

Rabbi Lamm was the rov of Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills from 1971 to 1984.

He was a grandson of Rav Yehoshua Baumol, author of Shu”t Emek Halakha.

Rabbi Lamm served as professor at Yeshiva University, where he received semichah and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also served as president of the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, was the field director of U.S military chaplains, and represented the U.S. Department of Defense during the Vietnam War.

Rabbi Lamm leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Shirley Lamm; his brother, Rabbi Norman Lamm; and children Rabbi David Lamm and Dodi Lamm; and many grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Mrs. Judith Young.