This was supposed to be my quick read while I eat lunch, but I have to get back to work in the middle. I may comment again later after I read the rest, but for now this is probably the best two sentences I have ever read about how we, who were born after the Shoah, feel.
It is said that every Jew, past, present and future, stood at Sinai. Every Jew also stood, metaphorically, in those gas chambers as well.
Thank you. And that's why we can't treat the Holocaust as some kind of - for lack of a better term - embarrassment, that Jews and Judaism - and by extension the world - all need to “get over.”
Thank you for writing and sharing this at this particular moment in time. It is ironic to me (for lack of a better word) as mother’s mother was from Chelm as I may have mentioned to you in the past. My maternal grandfather was from the town next door named Hrubieszow. My grandfather was fortunate to get out in 1929 before things got really bad but the rest of his family was not so fortunate. Thirteen brothers and sisters, parents, nieces, nephews, cousins all perished. While my grandfather wasn’t a survivor in the traditional sense of the word my mother and aunt told me that my grandfather had anguished, frequent nightmares most of their lives. My aunt recently said to me that she felt like the Holocaust was literally in her DNA despite her not having personally lived through it. It makes me wonder the same thing as I feel it so viscerally many times especially during Holocaust remembrance days and looking at the pictures of my family which I am fortunate to possess. I feel almost as if I somehow experienced it. Any thoughts?
Hi Scott - and thanks for sharing this. I've long felt that there should be additional categories of survivors, whether they be people who got out before things got really bad, generational descendants of survivors or people who had to deal with residual antisemitism, whether in Europe or in other parts of the world before, during and after the war. In a sense, we all are all survivors. This is not to in any way downplay the experiences of those who actually lived through it, but survivor's guilt, as you indicated, cannot be relegated to those who witnessed it in person. What one might call good fortune to have left (or, in my case, to have had all four grandparents leave a few decades earlier) can also be the source of tremendous guilt. It's a real important and neglected topic and deserves more discussion. Thanks again for bringing it up!
BTW, this is one case where the Holocaust is not unique. Many survivors of terrorism, war or even natural disasters feel a real sense of guilt, especially when so many people they know lost everything. One cannot fully understand Israel after October 7 without taking that into account.
Good morning Rabbi, the sun did rise today. Along with it, here anyway, came a chilly wind.
It saddens me to think of the horrors that people suffered during the Holocaust. It is so hard for me to imagine that people could be so cruel and downright evil.
I appreciate your reply to Sharon and also thank Sharon for asking the question. The link you provided answers so many questions.
NEXT: "The Torah of Sinai, the backbone of rabbinic Judaism, now has a companion narrative that I call the Torah of Auschwitz, sacred teachings and practices that have begun to coalesce into a canon, enabling us to confront the darkest demons of eight decades ago. At the same time, this narrative is filled with positive and life-affirming lessons for the entire world."
In another substack you welcomed me to ask questions about The Torah. Here goes,
Who writes a Torah? Did a particular person write the Torah of Auschwitz? Is a Torah based on not only Jewish teachings; but, also on life lessons? Is a Torah always hand written? Are they copied so they can be disseminated to everyone? If disseminated to the world how is that done? I am guessing that there are many people who have written a Torah about Auschwitz as they are coalescing into a canon. Does that mean that they are somehow collected and bound together in some way?
These are probably very naïve questions.
Also, I want to thank you for, what I call, your words of wisdom. They are so thoughtful and somehow always touch on something I have been thinking about or feeling.
Wow! So many great questions! Let me try to address them as best I can. The word “Torah” has multiple meanings. When we speak of the Torah, it is specifically the Five Books of Moses (Genesis thru Deuteronomy). It also signifies the handwritten scroll where those words are most often found in Jewish liturgy. The scroll is a sacred object, as I’ve written about (eg being saved from a burning synagogue). The word also can mean “teaching” and represents a style of sacred learning of Jewish texts based on the torah. When I speak of a “Torah of Auschwitz” I’m using the term loosely to speak of a body of knowledge growing out of the experience of the Holocaust - and new practices or interpretations that have arisen. While tradition states that the original Torah from Sinai was divinely written or inspired (but still could be the product of several human hands - as I believe) any other body of knowledge that I call a Torah is definitely the product of human minds. Of course any work of art can be said to have some divine influence or inspiration. I hope that helps provide a brief clarification
Let me address so some of your other questions (my answers in caps) and let me assure you that these are all great questions!
Who writes a Torah? SCRIBES COPY TORAH SCROLLS. EACH LETTER IS PAINSTAKINGLY WRITTEN BY HAND. OTHERWISE THE TERM IS RARELY USED FOR CONTEXTS LIKE I DO HERE BUT ANY BODY OF KNOWLEDGE CAN THEORETICALLY BE CALKED A TORAH - AS A MEASURE SIGNIFYING IMPORTANCE. THERE COULD BE A “TORAH OF GARDENING” FOR EXAMPLE.
Did a particular person write the Torah of Auschwitz? NO. I COINED THE EXPRESSION TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED TO SEE THE HOLOCAUST AS A CORE SOURCE OF POST MODERN JEWISH EXPRESSION.
Is a Torah based on not only Jewish teachings; but, also on life lessons?
BOTH. EVEN THE ORIGINAL TORAH HAS INFLUENCES FROM OTHER ANCIENT. NEAR EASTERN CULTURES.
Is a Torah always hand written?
IN A SCROLL FORMAT, YES.
Are they copied so they can be disseminated to everyone?
ONCE THE PRINTING PRESS WAS INVENTED IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR WIDER DISSEMINATION.
If disseminated to the world how is that done?
I am guessing that there are many people who have written a Torah about Auschwitz as they are coalescing into a canon. Does that mean that they are somehow collected and bound together in some way?
AS TIME PASSES, THOSE POETS, ARTISTS AUTHORS AND OTHER WITNESSES WHO STAND THE TEST OF TIME WILL BECOME THE JEREMIAHS, ISAIAHS AND MOSESES OF THIS ERA. THAT WILL HAPPEN ORGANICALLY. IT ALREADY IS.
"An encyclical is a pastoral letter addressed by the pope to the whole Church on matters of faith, morals, or discipline. "
I know it is not exactly the same as The Torah. Also a Torah written by an individual might or might not,I suppose, have the same weight as an an encyclical; but, I am thinking that the idea or purpose is similar?
Somewhat. It’s seen traditionally I suppose as a letter from God, rather than an intermediary. But there are so many writing styles and different points of view that its very hard to see it coming from one singular voice (traditional Jews go to great lengths to try to demonstrate just that)
I'll reply, Sharon, because comparing current events to the Holocaust is a radical distortion of history on so many levels. Saying "Jews" here in itself is proof that, in this form, anti-Zionism is in fact a form of antisemitism. Otherwise, since I do not want to run away from these accusations but rather face them head-on (just as I have never hesitated to criticize some actions of the Israeli government head-on), I want to share an article from the American Jewish Committee that takes this on directly and persuasively. I share it here but please understand that I do not wish to dignify these accusations by continuing a debate on this topic in this space. I'll be happy to address anything privately and do hope you'll continue to read my posts. But - for you and others - please do not echo these grotesque comparisons in this space. One reason I wrote today's post, in fact, is because many people loosely throw around the term "Holocaust" without really knowing what happened. Holocaust education is an important priority of mine, and I do thank youn for enabling me to clarify one of the key reasons why. Here's the article: 5 Reasons Why the Events in Gaza Are Not “Genocide” - https://www.ajc.org/news/5-reasons-why-the-events-in-gaza-are-not-genocide
This was supposed to be my quick read while I eat lunch, but I have to get back to work in the middle. I may comment again later after I read the rest, but for now this is probably the best two sentences I have ever read about how we, who were born after the Shoah, feel.
It is said that every Jew, past, present and future, stood at Sinai. Every Jew also stood, metaphorically, in those gas chambers as well.
Two simple sentences that are so profound!
Thank you. And that's why we can't treat the Holocaust as some kind of - for lack of a better term - embarrassment, that Jews and Judaism - and by extension the world - all need to “get over.”
Hello Rabbi
Thank you for writing and sharing this at this particular moment in time. It is ironic to me (for lack of a better word) as mother’s mother was from Chelm as I may have mentioned to you in the past. My maternal grandfather was from the town next door named Hrubieszow. My grandfather was fortunate to get out in 1929 before things got really bad but the rest of his family was not so fortunate. Thirteen brothers and sisters, parents, nieces, nephews, cousins all perished. While my grandfather wasn’t a survivor in the traditional sense of the word my mother and aunt told me that my grandfather had anguished, frequent nightmares most of their lives. My aunt recently said to me that she felt like the Holocaust was literally in her DNA despite her not having personally lived through it. It makes me wonder the same thing as I feel it so viscerally many times especially during Holocaust remembrance days and looking at the pictures of my family which I am fortunate to possess. I feel almost as if I somehow experienced it. Any thoughts?
Thank you for being you!
Hi Scott - and thanks for sharing this. I've long felt that there should be additional categories of survivors, whether they be people who got out before things got really bad, generational descendants of survivors or people who had to deal with residual antisemitism, whether in Europe or in other parts of the world before, during and after the war. In a sense, we all are all survivors. This is not to in any way downplay the experiences of those who actually lived through it, but survivor's guilt, as you indicated, cannot be relegated to those who witnessed it in person. What one might call good fortune to have left (or, in my case, to have had all four grandparents leave a few decades earlier) can also be the source of tremendous guilt. It's a real important and neglected topic and deserves more discussion. Thanks again for bringing it up!
BTW, this is one case where the Holocaust is not unique. Many survivors of terrorism, war or even natural disasters feel a real sense of guilt, especially when so many people they know lost everything. One cannot fully understand Israel after October 7 without taking that into account.
Good morning Rabbi, the sun did rise today. Along with it, here anyway, came a chilly wind.
It saddens me to think of the horrors that people suffered during the Holocaust. It is so hard for me to imagine that people could be so cruel and downright evil.
I appreciate your reply to Sharon and also thank Sharon for asking the question. The link you provided answers so many questions.
NEXT: "The Torah of Sinai, the backbone of rabbinic Judaism, now has a companion narrative that I call the Torah of Auschwitz, sacred teachings and practices that have begun to coalesce into a canon, enabling us to confront the darkest demons of eight decades ago. At the same time, this narrative is filled with positive and life-affirming lessons for the entire world."
In another substack you welcomed me to ask questions about The Torah. Here goes,
Who writes a Torah? Did a particular person write the Torah of Auschwitz? Is a Torah based on not only Jewish teachings; but, also on life lessons? Is a Torah always hand written? Are they copied so they can be disseminated to everyone? If disseminated to the world how is that done? I am guessing that there are many people who have written a Torah about Auschwitz as they are coalescing into a canon. Does that mean that they are somehow collected and bound together in some way?
These are probably very naïve questions.
Also, I want to thank you for, what I call, your words of wisdom. They are so thoughtful and somehow always touch on something I have been thinking about or feeling.
Wow! So many great questions! Let me try to address them as best I can. The word “Torah” has multiple meanings. When we speak of the Torah, it is specifically the Five Books of Moses (Genesis thru Deuteronomy). It also signifies the handwritten scroll where those words are most often found in Jewish liturgy. The scroll is a sacred object, as I’ve written about (eg being saved from a burning synagogue). The word also can mean “teaching” and represents a style of sacred learning of Jewish texts based on the torah. When I speak of a “Torah of Auschwitz” I’m using the term loosely to speak of a body of knowledge growing out of the experience of the Holocaust - and new practices or interpretations that have arisen. While tradition states that the original Torah from Sinai was divinely written or inspired (but still could be the product of several human hands - as I believe) any other body of knowledge that I call a Torah is definitely the product of human minds. Of course any work of art can be said to have some divine influence or inspiration. I hope that helps provide a brief clarification
Let me address so some of your other questions (my answers in caps) and let me assure you that these are all great questions!
Who writes a Torah? SCRIBES COPY TORAH SCROLLS. EACH LETTER IS PAINSTAKINGLY WRITTEN BY HAND. OTHERWISE THE TERM IS RARELY USED FOR CONTEXTS LIKE I DO HERE BUT ANY BODY OF KNOWLEDGE CAN THEORETICALLY BE CALKED A TORAH - AS A MEASURE SIGNIFYING IMPORTANCE. THERE COULD BE A “TORAH OF GARDENING” FOR EXAMPLE.
Did a particular person write the Torah of Auschwitz? NO. I COINED THE EXPRESSION TO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED TO SEE THE HOLOCAUST AS A CORE SOURCE OF POST MODERN JEWISH EXPRESSION.
Is a Torah based on not only Jewish teachings; but, also on life lessons?
BOTH. EVEN THE ORIGINAL TORAH HAS INFLUENCES FROM OTHER ANCIENT. NEAR EASTERN CULTURES.
Is a Torah always hand written?
IN A SCROLL FORMAT, YES.
Are they copied so they can be disseminated to everyone?
ONCE THE PRINTING PRESS WAS INVENTED IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR WIDER DISSEMINATION.
If disseminated to the world how is that done?
I am guessing that there are many people who have written a Torah about Auschwitz as they are coalescing into a canon. Does that mean that they are somehow collected and bound together in some way?
AS TIME PASSES, THOSE POETS, ARTISTS AUTHORS AND OTHER WITNESSES WHO STAND THE TEST OF TIME WILL BECOME THE JEREMIAHS, ISAIAHS AND MOSESES OF THIS ERA. THAT WILL HAPPEN ORGANICALLY. IT ALREADY IS.
THANK YOU!
"An encyclical is a pastoral letter addressed by the pope to the whole Church on matters of faith, morals, or discipline. "
I know it is not exactly the same as The Torah. Also a Torah written by an individual might or might not,I suppose, have the same weight as an an encyclical; but, I am thinking that the idea or purpose is similar?
Somewhat. It’s seen traditionally I suppose as a letter from God, rather than an intermediary. But there are so many writing styles and different points of view that its very hard to see it coming from one singular voice (traditional Jews go to great lengths to try to demonstrate just that)
What happened at Auschwitz and other concentration camps was horrible. But why are Jews now doing the same to the Palestinians?
I'll reply, Sharon, because comparing current events to the Holocaust is a radical distortion of history on so many levels. Saying "Jews" here in itself is proof that, in this form, anti-Zionism is in fact a form of antisemitism. Otherwise, since I do not want to run away from these accusations but rather face them head-on (just as I have never hesitated to criticize some actions of the Israeli government head-on), I want to share an article from the American Jewish Committee that takes this on directly and persuasively. I share it here but please understand that I do not wish to dignify these accusations by continuing a debate on this topic in this space. I'll be happy to address anything privately and do hope you'll continue to read my posts. But - for you and others - please do not echo these grotesque comparisons in this space. One reason I wrote today's post, in fact, is because many people loosely throw around the term "Holocaust" without really knowing what happened. Holocaust education is an important priority of mine, and I do thank youn for enabling me to clarify one of the key reasons why. Here's the article: 5 Reasons Why the Events in Gaza Are Not “Genocide” - https://www.ajc.org/news/5-reasons-why-the-events-in-gaza-are-not-genocide