Holocaust Theology Part 1
I have decided to survey the various literature about one of the most difficult theological subjects, the Holocaust. I have been reading about this subject for a while. The various opinions I have come across at this point are all disturbing in one way or another. I believe that people need to be informed about the philosophical difficulties of this subject. Therefore, this thread will survey these opinions. However, I will not present my personal opinions about these views other than to perhaps discuss something we can learn from the various opinions.
To start, I will discuss the lecture of Emil Fackenheim, "The 614th Commandment," presented in 1967. This lecture can be found in the book The Jewish Return into History. He calls for a collective commitment to keeping Judaism alive in the Post Holocaust world. Jews need to be united, not allowing the religious differences to interfere in our survival. Hence, he declares the existence of a new commandment, which he calls the 614th. It is the commandment to not hand Hitler another, posthumous victory. Of course, he does not attempt to actualize the institution of a new biblical commandment, for that would basically divide Jewry rather than unify it.
Fackenheim presents various ways in which to fulfill this commandment. First, we need to continue to exist as Jews, not allowing ourselves to disappear. Second, we need to keep the memory of the deceased alive inside of us. Third, we must not deny G-d. Finally, we must continue to see this world as the place where the kingdom of G-d will come to be. If we neglect any of these, Judaism might disappear, thus giving Hitler another victory.
For Fackenheim, at least in this article, the Jewish need to cope with the tragedy of the Holocaust is required, no matter the difficulty. We cannot simply allow our national tragedy to be an excuse to stop struggling spiritually. We need to continue striving for the end goal that Fackenheim says will prevent Hitler from having truly defeated us, bringing the kingdom of G-d into the world.
I have decided to survey the various literature about one of the most difficult theological subjects, the Holocaust. I have been reading about this subject for a while. The various opinions I have come across at this point are all disturbing in one way or another. I believe that people need to be informed about the philosophical difficulties of this subject. Therefore, this thread will survey these opinions. However, I will not present my personal opinions about these views other than to perhaps discuss something we can learn from the various opinions.
To start, I will discuss the lecture of Emil Fackenheim, "The 614th Commandment," presented in 1967. This lecture can be found in the book The Jewish Return into History. He calls for a collective commitment to keeping Judaism alive in the Post Holocaust world. Jews need to be united, not allowing the religious differences to interfere in our survival. Hence, he declares the existence of a new commandment, which he calls the 614th. It is the commandment to not hand Hitler another, posthumous victory. Of course, he does not attempt to actualize the institution of a new biblical commandment, for that would basically divide Jewry rather than unify it.
Fackenheim presents various ways in which to fulfill this commandment. First, we need to continue to exist as Jews, not allowing ourselves to disappear. Second, we need to keep the memory of the deceased alive inside of us. Third, we must not deny G-d. Finally, we must continue to see this world as the place where the kingdom of G-d will come to be. If we neglect any of these, Judaism might disappear, thus giving Hitler another victory.
For Fackenheim, at least in this article, the Jewish need to cope with the tragedy of the Holocaust is required, no matter the difficulty. We cannot simply allow our national tragedy to be an excuse to stop struggling spiritually. We need to continue striving for the end goal that Fackenheim says will prevent Hitler from having truly defeated us, bringing the kingdom of G-d into the world.
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