Language:
English
Year of publication:
1996
Titel der Quelle:
Iyyun; the Jerusalem Philosophical Quarterly
Angaben zur Quelle:
45 (1996) 55-70
Keywords:
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
Abstract:
A paper presented at an international conference in memory of Nathan Rotenstreich, Jerusalem, December 1994. Examines the meaning of the Holocaust for the individual Jew, and the place of history in determining individual self-interpretation. Discusses the problem of objectivity in terms of the philosophy of history, one of whose tasks is to bring to light the historicality of human existence. Differentiates two senses of objectivity: objectivity as a norm of discipline and as object-directedness. Contends that it is possible to retain the first while rejecting the second in approaching history as an expanded mode of self-consciousness. Describes the rise of existential antisemitism - hatred of Jews for merely belonging to their historical group - in place of the old religious antisemitism. Since the Holocaust was what brought this existential hatred of Jews to a climax, it must be grasped in that light. Consequently, it continues to affect the contemporary Jewish situation, causing secular Jews, too, to incorporate Jewish history into their self-interpretation.
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