impact of holocaust theology

Impact of Holocaust TheologyImpact of Holocaust Theology

Explain the contribution to the development and Explain the contribution to the development and expression of Judaism of ONE significant person expression of Judaism of ONE significant person OR school of thoughtOR school of thought

Analyse the impact of this person OR school of Analyse the impact of this person OR school of thought on Judaism thought on Judaism

Historical Context: Historical Context: PatriarchsPatriarchs

Abraham/Moses:Abraham/Moses: The chosen peopleThe chosen people The kingdomThe kingdom The promised landThe promised land The covenantThe covenant Word of God as given to MosesWord of God as given to Moses

Beliefs:Beliefs: One GodOne God Omniscient/Omnipotent/OmnibenevolentOmniscient/Omnipotent/Omnibenevolent

Historical Context: Scripture/textsHistorical Context: Scripture/texts

Sacred Scriptures/texts:Sacred Scriptures/texts: TorahTorah Oral Torah (Talmud)Oral Torah (Talmud) Tenak - Hebrew Scriptures containing 613 laws Tenak - Hebrew Scriptures containing 613 laws Halakah – complete Jewish lawHalakah – complete Jewish law Midrash – stories about the storiesMidrash – stories about the stories Prophetic vision – Tikkun Olam – heal the worldProphetic vision – Tikkun Olam – heal the world

Mid 1800’s: Mid 1800’s: Enlightenment leads to variantsEnlightenment leads to variants

Orthodox – Orthodox – remain faithful in all ways to the halakahremain faithful in all ways to the halakah

Progressive/Reform Jews – Progressive/Reform Jews – the most liberal Jews; Jews who do not follow the Talmud the most liberal Jews; Jews who do not follow the Talmud

strictly but try to adapt historical forms to modern world strictly but try to adapt historical forms to modern world Conservative – reaction to Progressive/ReformConservative – reaction to Progressive/Reform

Jews who keep some of the requirements of the Mosaic law Jews who keep some of the requirements of the Mosaic law but allow for adaptation of other requirements but allow for adaptation of other requirements

Zionism – Zionism – belief/philosophy that Jews need to create belief/philosophy that Jews need to create

“messiah/promised land” not wait“messiah/promised land” not wait

History as a Persecuted PeopleHistory as a Persecuted People Jews marginalisedJews marginalised Slavery/ExodusSlavery/Exodus Destruction of 1Destruction of 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd temples temples Massacres/expulsion from SpainMassacres/expulsion from Spain Attacks by Catholic ChurchAttacks by Catholic Church Diaspora (Diaspora (The DiasporaThe Diaspora = the collective group = the collective group

of Jews; of Jews; diasporadiaspora = condition of living outside = condition of living outside of promised land, spread out)of promised land, spread out)

Anti-semitismAnti-semitism

New testament: New testament: Matthew 27:25 which spoke of some Jewish Matthew 27:25 which spoke of some Jewish

leaders was used instead to apply to all Jews: leaders was used instead to apply to all Jews: "His "His blood be on us and on our children...Ye are of your blood be on us and on our children...Ye are of your father the devil."father the devil."

““Protocols of the Elders of Zion” – Protocols of the Elders of Zion” – grew from rumours of Jewish grew from rumours of Jewish

conspiracy/poisonings, spread of plagueconspiracy/poisonings, spread of plague

HitlerHitler

Nuremburg lawsNuremburg laws Final SolutionFinal Solution Concentration camps Concentration camps GhettosGhettos Work CampsWork Camps PogromsPogroms Shoah/Holocaust: 6,000,000 Jews murderedShoah/Holocaust: 6,000,000 Jews murdered

Immediately Post-HolocaustImmediately Post-Holocaust

MuselmännerMuselmänner - (Primo Levi) the living dead - (Primo Levi) the living dead UN decree – UN decree –

Jewish state, Holy landJewish state, Holy land Jews given land, fight to establish statehoodJews given land, fight to establish statehood 1948 state of Israel declared1948 state of Israel declared

Emotions = too raw to have any – no Emotions = too raw to have any – no thought/reflectionthought/reflection

Many Jews disillusioned with faithMany Jews disillusioned with faith

Varied ResponsesVaried Responses“There is no God”“There is no God”

Reform - Richard Rubinstein: Reform - Richard Rubinstein: After AuschwitzAfter Auschwitz Only honest response to the Holocaust is the rejection of Only honest response to the Holocaust is the rejection of

God, and the recognition that all existence is ultimately God, and the recognition that all existence is ultimately meaninglessness. meaninglessness.

No divine plan or purpose, no God that reveals His will to No divine plan or purpose, no God that reveals His will to mankind, and God does not care about the world. mankind, and God does not care about the world.

Man must assert and create his own value in Man must assert and create his own value in lifelife. . His views were rejected by Jews of all religious His views were rejected by Jews of all religious

denominations, but his works were widely read in the denominations, but his works were widely read in the Jewish community in the 1970s.Jewish community in the 1970s.

Later views = one may believe that God may exist as Later views = one may believe that God may exist as the basis for reality. the basis for reality.

Varied ResponsesVaried Responses“Free will”“Free will”

Modern OrthodoxModern Orthodox – Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits: – Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits: Faith after the HolocaustFaith after the Holocaust man's free will depends on God's decision to man's free will depends on God's decision to

remain hidden. remain hidden. if God were to reveal himself in history and if God were to reveal himself in history and

hold back the hand of evil tyrants, man's free hold back the hand of evil tyrants, man's free will would be rendered non-existent. will would be rendered non-existent.

Holocaust (Shoah) is not God’s fault, but result Holocaust (Shoah) is not God’s fault, but result of man’s choice to choose evil over goodof man’s choice to choose evil over good

Varied ResponsesVaried Responses“The Mystery of God”“The Mystery of God”

Conservative – Theologian Neil Gillman:Conservative – Theologian Neil Gillman: all arguments proposed by Jewish scholars fail all arguments proposed by Jewish scholars fail

to answer the problem posed by the events of to answer the problem posed by the events of the Nazi regime the Nazi regime

there can be no resolution of the religious there can be no resolution of the religious questions posed by the Shoah questions posed by the Shoah

we should stop trying to explain what is we should stop trying to explain what is beyond comprehensionbeyond comprehension

Varied ResponsesVaried Responses“The Mystery of God”“The Mystery of God”

Reform/Progressive - Reform/Progressive - writer David Ariel:writer David Ariel: What What Do Jews Believe?Do Jews Believe?

there is simply no way that the Holocaust can be there is simply no way that the Holocaust can be explained explained

God’s will is unfathomable (God’s response to Job)God’s will is unfathomable (God’s response to Job) we can empathize with Job’s suffering, but it is impossible we can empathize with Job’s suffering, but it is impossible

to understand God’s willto understand God’s will the mystery of how God could have permitted the the mystery of how God could have permitted the

murder of millions of innocent victims remains murder of millions of innocent victims remains inexplicable inexplicable

Jewish State - 1967Jewish State - 1967

Kibbutz: -Kibbutz: -collective communitycollective community in in IsraelIsrael that that was traditionally based on was traditionally based on agricultureagriculture , , socialism, Zionismsocialism, Zionism

Idealistic approach to Israel/ mission as God’s Idealistic approach to Israel/ mission as God’s chosen peoplechosen people

Six Day War – Israel fights to maintain Six Day War – Israel fights to maintain independenceindependence

In response to threats to Israel, Emil In response to threats to Israel, Emil Fackenheim’s 614Fackenheim’s 614thth commandment commandment

614614thth Commandment Commandment““Thou shalt not grant Hitler posthumous Thou shalt not grant Hitler posthumous

victories”victories”1.1. Survive as Jews lest the Jewish people perishSurvive as Jews lest the Jewish people perish2.2. Remember the martyrs of the HolocaustRemember the martyrs of the Holocaust3.3. Forbidden to deny or despair of God lest the Forbidden to deny or despair of God lest the

jewish people perishjewish people perish4.4. Forbidden to despair of the world lest the Jewish Forbidden to despair of the world lest the Jewish

people perishpeople perish Focus becomes Jewish survival/protection in Focus becomes Jewish survival/protection in

face of enemiesface of enemies

Quotes of Emil FackenheimQuotes of Emil Fackenheim

I myself for many years compared the Holocaust I myself for many years compared the Holocaust to prior tragedies in Jewish history, [and] to prior tragedies in Jewish history, [and] avoided the fundamental differences, thus avoided the fundamental differences, thus reaching the comfortable conclusion that reaching the comfortable conclusion that Judaism and the Jewish faith are not called Judaism and the Jewish faith are not called into question in a unique, unprecedented way. into question in a unique, unprecedented way. Yet there is a radical, fundamental, shattering Yet there is a radical, fundamental, shattering difference.difference.


Hence after Auschwitz, there is need for a new Hence after Auschwitz, there is need for a new Jewish theology, perhaps a new philosophy, Jewish theology, perhaps a new philosophy, possibly both. possibly both.

Realist that he was, Maimonides did not consider Realist that he was, Maimonides did not consider the time ripe for Jewish sovereignty, the time ripe for Jewish sovereignty, Messianic as it would have to be, in a Jewish Messianic as it would have to be, in a Jewish state.state.


(Jews who visit Jerusalem today) would see Jews from (Jews who visit Jerusalem today) would see Jews from Western countries as well as Muslim and Arab Western countries as well as Muslim and Arab countries -- Jews from as far away as India and countries -- Jews from as far away as India and China. They would be filled with a profound China. They would be filled with a profound astonishment, as if to say "The city that sat solitary astonishment, as if to say "The city that sat solitary yesterday, that was ruins even if holy ruins -- how yesterday, that was ruins even if holy ruins -- how full of people it is now!" ... the deepest Jewish full of people it is now!" ... the deepest Jewish response to [taunts about the destruction of response to [taunts about the destruction of Jerusalem] is Jewish Jerusalem rebuilt. It is today the Jerusalem] is Jewish Jerusalem rebuilt. It is today the most profound expression of the Jewish faith that the most profound expression of the Jewish faith that the long but not incurable disease of Jew-hatred will one long but not incurable disease of Jew-hatred will one day come to an end.day come to an end.

Implications of 614thImplications of 614th

Christian faiths - doctrines normally advocate Christian faiths - doctrines normally advocate conversion of nonbelievers, but many have a deep conversion of nonbelievers, but many have a deep respect for Fackenheim's concept:respect for Fackenheim's concept:

After Auschwitz the Christian churches no longer After Auschwitz the Christian churches no longer wish to convert the Jews. While they may not be sure wish to convert the Jews. While they may not be sure of the theological grounds that dispense them from of the theological grounds that dispense them from this mission, the churches have become aware that this mission, the churches have become aware that asking the Jews to become Christians is a spiritual asking the Jews to become Christians is a spiritual way of blotting them out of existence and thus only way of blotting them out of existence and thus only reinforces the effects of the Holocaust.reinforces the effects of the Holocaust.

Implications of 614thImplications of 614th

Holocaust remembranceHolocaust remembrance The concept encounters broad acceptance in The concept encounters broad acceptance in

connection with Holocaust remembrance. In connection with Holocaust remembrance. In the late twentieth century, efforts to document the late twentieth century, efforts to document the memories of remaining Holocaust the memories of remaining Holocaust survivors echoed the notion that preserving survivors echoed the notion that preserving these facts for future generations was a way to these facts for future generations was a way to keep Hitler and his ideas in the grave. keep Hitler and his ideas in the grave.

Criticisms of Fackenheim’s 614thCriticisms of Fackenheim’s 614th

Rabbi Rabbi Toba SpitzerToba Spitzer:: Holocaust is compared to the Exodus/PassoverHolocaust is compared to the Exodus/Passover ...of a people born in slavery, freed by their God, ...of a people born in slavery, freed by their God,

and taken on a transformational journey. It is the and taken on a transformational journey. It is the story of the steps taken towards becoming a story of the steps taken towards becoming a community bound by a holy covenant, where social community bound by a holy covenant, where social relationships are defined by the Godly principles relationships are defined by the Godly principles ofof tzedek tzedek andand chesed chesed, justice and love, justice and love


Rabbi Marc Gellman:Rabbi Marc Gellman: I am Jewish because my mother is Jewish, and, I am Jewish because my mother is Jewish, and,

more importantly, because I believe Judaism is more importantly, because I believe Judaism is loving, just, joyous, hopeful and true. I am not loving, just, joyous, hopeful and true. I am not Jewish, and I did not teach my children or my Jewish, and I did not teach my children or my students to be Jewish, just to spite Hitler.students to be Jewish, just to spite Hitler.


Rabbi Harold M. Schulweiss:Rabbi Harold M. Schulweiss: We abuse the Holocaust when it becomes a cudgel against We abuse the Holocaust when it becomes a cudgel against

others who have their claims of suffering. The others who have their claims of suffering. The ShoahShoah must not must not be misused in the contest of one-downsmanship with other be misused in the contest of one-downsmanship with other victims of brutality....The Shoah has become our instantvictims of brutality....The Shoah has become our instant raison raison d'etred'etre, the short-cut answer to the penetrating questions of our , the short-cut answer to the penetrating questions of our children: 'Why should I not marry out of the faith? Why should children: 'Why should I not marry out of the faith? Why should I join a synagogue? Why should I support Israel? Why should I join a synagogue? Why should I support Israel? Why should I be Jewish?' We have relied on a singular imperative: 'Thou I be Jewish?' We have relied on a singular imperative: 'Thou shalt not give Hitler a posthumous victory.' That answer will shalt not give Hitler a posthumous victory.' That answer will not work. To live in spite, to say 'no' to Hitler is a far cry from not work. To live in spite, to say 'no' to Hitler is a far cry from living 'yes' to Judaism.living 'yes' to Judaism.

Criticisms of 614thCriticisms of 614th

Daniel Shoag on Zionism in Daniel Shoag on Zionism in The Harvard Israel The Harvard Israel ReviewReview

Fackenheim fails to locate a religious or divine Fackenheim fails to locate a religious or divine source for his moral imperative. For Fackenheim, source for his moral imperative. For Fackenheim, self-defense, and its manifestation in Zionism, are not self-defense, and its manifestation in Zionism, are not religious values but rather things that precede religious values but rather things that precede religious value or stand outside of it. Thus religious value or stand outside of it. Thus Fackenheim locates the significance of the Jewish Fackenheim locates the significance of the Jewish State in the Holocaust rather than in traditional State in the Holocaust rather than in traditional Judaism.Judaism.

Newer generations of Jews and Newer generations of Jews and 614th614th

few survivors of the Holocaust - many Jews feel their few survivors of the Holocaust - many Jews feel their memories and opinions deserve respectmemories and opinions deserve respect

idea that people must not further Hitler's goals has idea that people must not further Hitler's goals has become a meaningful part of public discussion about become a meaningful part of public discussion about Judaism, Zionism, and anti-Semitism Judaism, Zionism, and anti-Semitism

many who discuss it sympathetically do not embrace many who discuss it sympathetically do not embrace it wholeheartedlyit wholeheartedly

some in the newer generations only know Holocaust some in the newer generations only know Holocaust as history - they feel the commandment to “grant as history - they feel the commandment to “grant Hitler no posthumous victories” denies positive Hitler no posthumous victories” denies positive interpretations of the subjects what the Holocaust interpretations of the subjects what the Holocaust means for Jewsmeans for Jews

TodayToday

Eliezer Schweid:Eliezer Schweid: Is There A Religious Meaning Is There A Religious Meaning To The Idea Of The Chosen People After The To The Idea Of The Chosen People After The Shoah? (1999)Shoah? (1999)

Israel and normalisationIsrael and normalisation focus on the individual/economic achievement focus on the individual/economic achievement

does not allow for a sense of the universal does not allow for a sense of the universal message that Judaism is about. message that Judaism is about.

Eliezer Schweid: Modern OrthodoxEliezer Schweid: Modern Orthodox

““On the basis of their loyalty to their humanistic, On the basis of their loyalty to their humanistic, monotheistic, and moral Jewish purpose, these monotheistic, and moral Jewish purpose, these movements must spark a renaissance for Jewish movements must spark a renaissance for Jewish humanism, bringing the Jewish people back to the humanism, bringing the Jewish people back to the ideal of moral elevation as its purpose and destiny. In ideal of moral elevation as its purpose and destiny. In practical terms, this means reviving the norm of practical terms, this means reviving the norm of communality based on the principles of charity and communality based on the principles of charity and justice; a balance between rights and duties; and justice; a balance between rights and duties; and responsibility for our fellows and for the collective.”responsibility for our fellows and for the collective.”

Eliezer SchweidEliezer Schweid

““My conclusion is that unless the Jewish people My conclusion is that unless the Jewish people is restored to its is restored to its real selfreal self as a people engaged as a people engaged in the realization of a redeeming principle for in the realization of a redeeming principle for itself and for humanity, it will become a itself and for humanity, it will become a stranger to itself, will bring itself to the brink stranger to itself, will bring itself to the brink of another catastrophe, as it has already done of another catastrophe, as it has already done several times during its long history.”several times during its long history.”

Eliezer SchweidEliezer Schweid

““but the idea of a chosen people may but the idea of a chosen people may become meaningful again, and indeed become meaningful again, and indeed redeeming, if interpreted in terms of the redeeming, if interpreted in terms of the ancient prophetic covenant that obligated ancient prophetic covenant that obligated the Jewish people to the ethics of the Jewish people to the ethics of responsibility to build a different society responsibility to build a different society and a different statehood based on freedom and a different statehood based on freedom and justice.”and justice.”

Where to? Where to? Moral imperative for IsraelMoral imperative for Israel

Eliezer SchweidEliezer Schweid : : The morality of the covenant is the only way to reunite the The morality of the covenant is the only way to reunite the

Jewish people, to ground it in its sources and historical Jewish people, to ground it in its sources and historical memorymemory

The commandment to “mend the world” should be interpreted The commandment to “mend the world” should be interpreted in the terms of the covenant.in the terms of the covenant.

Israel must strive to realize the eternal prophetic values of Israel must strive to realize the eternal prophetic values of Judaism and redeem the Jewish people spiritually as well as Judaism and redeem the Jewish people spiritually as well as materially, and contribute to the redemption of humanity.materially, and contribute to the redemption of humanity.

Israel must become a society and a state that will become the Israel must become a society and a state that will become the spiritual centre for the Jewish people and the source of a spiritual centre for the Jewish people and the source of a universal message to humanity.universal message to humanity.

ResourcesResources

Eliezer SchweidEliezer Schweid http://www.doingzionism.org/resources/expanhttp://www.doingzionism.org/resources/expan

d_author.asp?id=77d_author.asp?id=77 http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp440.htmhttp://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp440.htm

Other:Other: http://www.azure.org.il/authors.php?id=211http://www.azure.org.il/authors.php?id=211 https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/modern_judaism/https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/modern_judaism/

summary/v017/17.3er_schweid.htmlsummary/v017/17.3er_schweid.html

impact of holocaust theology

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