‘Never Again’ - Is Remembering the Holocaust Enough?

That is hard to contemplate since that is one of the most tragic events in all of Jewish history.  6 million Jews were slaughtered simply for being Jews. Add to that millions more of us that were tortured and survived (among whom were my father and his second wife, my mother) – and it is impossible to even begin to imagine the magnitude of horror that this event was.

It is hard to fault those who work so hard to perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust. And I agree with them. If there was ever a tragic event that ought never to be forgotten, the Holocaust is it.

That is no doubt, the reason Israel is hosting the World Holocaust Forum that began on Tuesday. At a time where antisemitism and Holocaust denial is on the rise, leaders from all over the world are attending an event dedicated to denying the deniers and perpetuating its memory.  

The youngest Holocaust survivors (at least old enough to have any memory of it) are in their 80s and 90s. Now more than ever is the time to insist to the word that the Holocaust did happen and that it was a uniquely Jewish tragedy - despite the fact that many millions of non Jews were slaughtered as well.

Among others in attendance were Vice President Mike Pence, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and France’s Emmanuel Macron. I do not recall anything like this - where the world has come together for this purpose. I am gratified to see that European leaders are stepping up - even as antisemitic attacks have skyrocketed in recent years in some European countries like France.  I must admit that it was nice hearing the words of Macron who said:

I will continue, committed and active, to fight against all forms of antisemitism, against racism and hatred and against those who divide our society. We decided to talk about the issue of anti-Zionism as antisemitism in a direct and clear way. Anti-Zionism is not different from antisemitism.

The best way to combat antisemitism and prevent it from ever happening again is with knowledge and truth.

That being said, I worry that we do not become defined by the Holocaust. This is not the way the Jewish people should be thought of. It is not what we are all about. Those who are involved in perpetuating its memory should be aware of those unintended consequences.

That being the case, whenever I see any Holocaust event, I worry that we not defined as a people by it.  A definition that is enhanced by one of the more positive developments of the last few decades - the opening of Holocaust Museums all over the globe. As positive as this is, I still worry that this too will add to the perception that the Holocaust is what defines us. Even the recognition of State of Israel in 1948 by the UN can be attributed to post Holocaust guilt.  It is nice to see a different kind of Jew who is strong and can defend himself, which is the antithesis of the erroneous perception that we all all just lambs to the slaughter. But that too is not who we really are at the core.

The only real way to avoid the perception that Judaism is synonymous with the Holocaust  is to project what were are all really about.  We must not let the Holocaust define us – even as important as it is at this point in time to assure its memory.

We are neither victims  nor warriors. We are the people of the book. It is a ‘book’ that defines who we are.  Not the tragedies we have suffered. No matter how great the tragedy.  Nor are we to be defined as the new Jew - the  mighty warriors of the New State of Israel that have arisen from the ashes of the Holocaust.

We are a people chosen by God to be His treasured people. The Torah tells us that we are to be a Mamleches Kohanim v’Goy Kaddosh -  A kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We have to distinguish ourselves by obeying God’s laws as outlined in that ‘book’. Those that govern our direct relationship with God and man (rituals) - and those that govern the relationship between  man and his fellow man (ethical and moral behavior).  As God’s chosen people we are mandated to be exemplars of both.  

Unfortunately not enough of us rise to the task. Too many of us fall short in both areas. Some more than others – getting caught in behavior unbecoming of our stature of God’s chosen people. In some cases behavior so bad that it becomes a major Chilul Hashem.

But there are some instances where we do indeed rise to the occasion. And behave as we should. This was the case at Yeshivas Darchei Torah as reported in this week’s Mishpacha Magazine. Please read the article in full. This is how we should behave. And be defined. This behavior would contribute mightily to ‘Never again!’ which is one of the main goals of remembering the Holocaust. Perhaps even more than perpetuating its memory?