Language:
French
Year of publication:
2012
Titel der Quelle:
L'Allemagne nazie et le génocide juif
Angaben zur Quelle:
(1985) 465-495
Keywords:
Christianity and antisemitism History
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Philosophy
;
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
;
Holocaust (Christian theology)
;
Punishment Religious aspects
;
Judaism
Abstract:
A lecture presented at a colloquium of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris, 1982. Examines Christian and Jewish interpretations of the Holocaust. In view of the claim that antisemitism is essential to Christianity, traces the origins of Christian anti-Judaism: the hostility of an emerging new Jewish sect towards the Jewish establishment, competition among missionaries, anti-Jewish polemics, and medieval demonic stereotypes. Traditional anti-Judaism fought the visible Jew, whereas modern antisemitism was directed mainly towards assimilated, emancipated Jews. Both were founded on popular prejudices and Christian theology, but other non-religious factors were necessary for antisemitism to cause genocide. Posits that human life and the dignity of man are "concrete absolutes". Contends that in the name of higher ideals (God, homeland, race, utopia) crusades have been launched and genocide committed. Expresses doubts regarding the necessity of Holocaust theology. Contends that the theodicies developed by Yoel Teitelbaum (the Satmar Rebbe), as well as by more moderate Jewish thinkers, such as Fackenheim, Berkovits, and others, are insulting for both God and the Jewish people. Opposes the search for theological significance in the Holocaust; what is important is to know what it teaches about man and his capacity for evil.
Note:
Appeared in English as "Theological interpretations of the Holocaust; an evaluation" in "Tel Aviv Review" 1 (1988), in "Unanswered Questions; Nazi Germany and the Genocide of the Jews" (1989) 275-303, in his "Perceptions of Jewish History" (1993) 306-337, as "Theological interpretations of the Holocaust; a balance" in "A Holocaust Reader" (2000) 172-182, in "Wrestling with God" (2007) 639-647, and in the "Jerusalem Review" 7 (2012) 73-109.
,
In Hebrew:
,
בקבץ מאמריו "תדמית ותודעה היסטורית" (תשנא) 243-278
URL:
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