Language:
English
Year of publication:
1996
Titel der Quelle:
Avar ve'Atid; a Journal of Jewish Education, Culture and Discourse
Angaben zur Quelle:
3,1 (1996) 44-55
Keywords:
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
;
Orthodox Jews
Abstract:
Contrasts the religious responses to the Holocaust of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) thinkers, who rejected modernity, with those of Reform, Conservative, and modern Orthodox thinkers, whose ideas were influenced by 19th century ideals of progressive humanism. The Haredi response accepted the exceptional nature of the Holocaust from the human perspective, but denied it from the divine one. The Haredi response was not only theological but, even more, existential, directed toward reviving Jewish existence, based on the image of an ideal community destroyed by the Nazis. For Haredim the traditional theology was empirically correct. The Nazi atrocities were seen as justified punishment for a revolt of secular Jews against God; belief in a life after death allowed Haredim to see human wickedness as a pedagogical device. In reaction to the Holocaust, there have been two contrasting innovations amongst Haredim: self-isolation of the community and involvement in modern life.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink