Language:
English
Year of publication:
1995
Titel der Quelle:
The Jewish Condition
Angaben zur Quelle:
(1995) 155-165
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Criticizes the view, embraced by many Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jews, that comparison between the Holocaust and other genocides is tantamount to sacrilege. Argues that this view places the Holocaust outside history and beyond human comprehension, and that uniqueness is meaningless unless it is deduced from comparisons with other similar cases. Examines five conditions, whose presence supposedly made the Holocaust unique: ancient hatred, a brutal dictatorship, a zealous and proactive bureaucracy, a technology which enabled the efficient execution of the genocide, and a war or conflict in whose shadow the genocide could take place. Argues that since 1945 there have been places where similar conditions have been present. Mentions the Muslims in Bosnia as an example: they might in the future be subject to ethnic cleansing, and, not having anywhere to flee, be wiped out by the Serbians and the Croatians. Emphasizes that the Holocaust can be explained and even understood, both in regard to the victims and also the perpetrators. Shows implicit contradictions in the ultra-Orthodox position, which states that the Shoah was a result of the sins of the Jews. For non-Orthodox Jews, the questions are complex. Although the Shoah is comparable to other genocidal events, many factors make it qualitatively different: its extremeness was unique; the Nazis had purely ideological (antisemitic) motives; and the Jews had a special role in Western society, which builds on ancient Jewish culture. Concludes that a comparative approach is necessary to avoid future disasters, and it is possible without obfuscating unique traits.
Note:
A French version appeared as "L'Holocauste est-elle comparable aux autres génocides? L'Holocauste - cinquante ans après" in "Plurielles" 6 (1997-1998) 91-101.
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