Apr 28, 2006 -- Dr. Robert Aumann, 2005 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics and a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, spoke to students at the Sy Syms School of Business on the Wilf and Beren campuses April 25 about his research in Game Theory, his life as an Orthodox Jew and an economist and his pleasure at receiving the Nobel Prize. Dr. Aumann, 75, kept the students laughing with his self-deprecating jokes about marriage, midrash and mathematics. Dr. Aumann spent most of his hour-long talk in the morning at the Beren campus explaining how game theory governs subjects such as auctions and matching. Game theory also provides a complex mathematical analysis of elements and strategies, which are involved in decision-making situations, including those concerning conflict and cooperation, Dr. Aumann explained. The research he and Dr. Thomas Schelling have published in game theory and world conflict was the reason they shared the 2005 Nobel Prize. The mathematical models of the inner-workings of conflict situations are theoretical, Dr. Aumann explained to the mostly undergraduate audience. The application of game theory to matching –– like in marriages or college admissions or medical internships –– is “precise,” which is why he chose to address that issue. Game theory has other concrete applications. Dr. Aumann has an algorithm he has used to predict the coalition partners once all votes are counted in the Israeli Knesset race. He admits his calculations are “not always right” because they are based on number only, not on ideology. “This year because I have gained some notoriety in Israel, I have kept my prediction private,” said Dr. Aumann, adding that he was afraid his fame would turn his prediction into a self-fulfilling prophesy. “That is not science.” Possibly the most defining, if not historic moments of Dr. Aumann’s visit occurred when he joined President Richard Joel, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS, and the rabbeim of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at a special luncheon. “It proved to be a fascinating meshing of Torah and Maddah on the highest level,” said Rabbi Charlop. Dr. Aumann discussed games in the Torah, most notably Sarah’s demand that Abraham cast his son Ishmael, born of Hagar the maidservant, out of their home because his game playing might affect her son, Isaac. While some commentators perceived Ishmael’s games to have been idolatry, sexual rapacity, and bloodshed, Dr. Aumann found it hard to accept the notion that the pious founder of our faith would have turned a blind eye to these “games” played by his firstborn son in his own home. In the discussion that followed, a RIETS rosh yeshiva noted that the Tosefta tells us that same question was asked by Rabbi Shimon Ben Yokhai, who understood the games to refer to Ishmael mocking Isaac’s claims to his ultimate inheritance and not to the turpitude assigned to him by others. Dr. Aumann also discussed Game Theory and how it may help resolve what seem to be Talmudic discrepancies. As an example, he cited the Mishnah, which tells us about a man who had three wives whose Ketubot – marriage contracts – specified a different amount each wife would receive upon his death. Unfortunately, his assets were less than the total monies pledged. In the Mishnah, the division prescribed in this case was different than one laid down in another apparently similar situation. Dr. Aumann, using Game Theory, was able to square this discrepancy, entirely within the parameters of acceptable Talmudic reasoning. At a dinner in the evening on the Wilf campus, Dr. Aumann addressed what some people see as the conflict between science and Torah. Dr. Aumann himself does not see a conflict. “Science is one way of dealing with certain aspects of the world and Torah is a way of dealing with different aspects of our world,” Dr. Aumann explained. “As observant Jews, it is not the same kind of activity as when acting as a scientist. One is an experience and the other is a way of explaining observations.” Greg Eliason, president of the Sy Syms School of Business’ student association on the Wilf campus, said his research into Game Theory and mathematics made Dr. Aumann’s visit more meaningful. “But I’m also interested in the balance between academics and religion,” Mr. Eliason said. “In that regard, Professor Aumann is a role model who speaks for all Jews.” Dr. Aumann, a graduate of Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in New York City’s Lower East Side, was asked what advice he could give to the 60 young women in the audience. “If you want to succeed, the way to do it is to do what you like to do,” Dr. Aumann urged. “What you like to do is what you do best.” Rivka Kahn, a marketing major and president of Sy Syms School of Business’ student association on the Beren campus, said she was impressed with Dr. Aumann’s warmth and style. “I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to hear a Nobel Prize winner, but I also learned about Game Theory, which is something I didn’t know