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Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945, a week before Germany's surrender. The "heroic" leader of the German people chose not to face the consequences of defeat. But twenty-one other Nazi leaders mainly responsible for the criminal acts of the Germans survived.
It was at Nuremberg, in 1946, that an international tribunal was formed to bring these murderers to justice. No power on earth, of course, could bring the eleven million victims – six million Jews and five million others – back to life. But perhaps this act of the world going on record that it would not tolerate inhuman acts on this scale might serve to prevent similar horrors in the future.
Nuremberg represented a giant leap forward in the legal thinking of mankind. The defense of the Nazi officers, that they were "only acting under orders," was rejected; people must obey a "higher law" if the law of the land is completely immoral. Murder can never be justified, even when the government approves of its practice.
Do you remember how the prophet Nathan had expressed this very same truth to King David, that even the most powerful ruler could not place himself above the law? It took many centuries but at long last, at the price of eleven million people, the world finally understood what the Bible had taught ages ago!
As Julius Streicher was being led to the gallows, he inexplicably shouted out "Purimfest – Purim festival." Amazingly enough, Streicher had made a connection with an ancient story about the first attempt in Jewish history - the story of Haman - to destroy the entire Jewish people. The story ended with the ten sons of Haman hung and the Jews surviving. Is it simply a bizaare coincidence that the judgement of Nuremberg, too, ended with exactly ten Nazi leaders condemned to pay for their crimes by hanging? And was Streicher's last word a "coincidence" that forces us to acknowledge this incredible linkage?
from: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture," p.
266-267, by Rabbi Benjamin Blech, Alpha Books, New York, 1999
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Rabbi Benjamin Blech is the author of 12 highly acclaimed books, including Understanding Judaism: The basics of Deed and Creed. He is a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Emeritus of Young Israel of Oceanside which he served for 37 years and from which he retired to pursue his interests in writing and lecturing around the globe. He is also the author of 
(3) Anonymous , June 3, 2008
amazing
this article is just amaxing. im a student at a private jewish high school in los angeles, and as we were reaching an end to our megilat esther, our teacher had told us this story, and my entire class was amazed and immediatly perked up to listen, which is a hard thing to do. i can''t belive this story!!
(2) anon , October 7, 2007
Not only that, but Hermann Goering, who committed suicide, was a transvestite. Haman's daughter reincarnated?
(1) anshu verma , July 10, 2002
Tell me more
I'm a Hindu boy from India and i've a great respect and affinity towards the
Jewish community and Israel.
The torments suffered by this community
are really horrible but despite of all
these perpetrations and atrocities this
community not only survived but today
they are one of the most powerful on
the earth.
I admire there spirit.
I want to know more'bout Jewish culture
living style, and a lot more'bout Israel.
Wishing my heartiest wishes to them for
their ongoing campaign against Islamic terrorism of which my country is also a sufferer.
Anshu Verma