What makes this different from any other event in history?

by Rabbi Benjamin Blech

Jews are no strangers to suffering. Throughout the ages, many others have also been victims to unspeakable cruelty, but the judgement of Winston Churchill is almost certainly the definitive description of the uniqueness of the Holocaust: "The Final Solution is probably the greatest, most horrible crime ever committed in the whole history of the world."

Holocaust scholar Deborah Lipstadt points out two reasons why the German program of genocide remains in a class by itself as an example of evil: "It was the only time in recorded history that a state tried to destroy an entire people, regardless of an individual's age, sex, location, profession, or belief. And it is the only instance in which the perpetrators conducted this genocide for no ostensible material, territorial, or political gain." In fact, the Holocaust remains incomprehensible. But that is all the more reason why it must at the very least be remembered.

 

from: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Jewish History and Culture," p. 251, by Rabbi Benjamin Blech, Alpha Books, New York, 1999

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Published: Wednesday, December 31, 1969
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Visitor Comments: 7

(7) Nenette Grunberg, November 8, 2011 2:37 PM

Winston Churchill's statement does not absolve neither Germany's pride in Adolph Hitler nor the European American allies (quote unquote). The Austrian Painter had as much legal status in Germany as a Mexican illegal in the United States.The only difference is The Germans wanted Hitler and we don't want the Illegals.

(6) Angie, January 9, 2008 5:56 AM

about a week ago my school has started lernimg about the holocaust and we wrnt givin sits to look at...we had to fimd then r selfs and i fond this one and its grat!!

(5) Emma, June 9, 2003 12:00 AM

Today we have begun a course on the Holocaust at my school. This is one of the many websites that we were given to look at to try and understand the dreadful events. This site is really informative, and is opening my eyes to something so huge that it's very hard to comprehend. Although I'm not Jewish myself, the thought of the holocaust fills me with a great sadness.
I'm glad this site exists, it is contributing to the worldwide effort to make sure that we never forget what happened, and that hopefully we can learn from it.

(4) Kylie, November 14, 2002 12:00 AM

This is a very factual website over the holocaust. I will come back here!

(3) Anonymous, August 22, 2002 12:00 AM

The Holocaust is Not Unique

"The German program of genocide remains in a class by itself as an example of evil", because "it was the only time in recorded history that a state tried to destroy an entire people, regardless of an individual's age, sex, location, profession, or belief. And it is the only instance in which the perpetrators conducted this genocide for no ostensible material, territorial, or political gain."
The Holocaust was, indeed, a horrific program of genocide that remains a class in itself. Jewish history has, however, once before faced such a nation and a such a program. It is known as Amalek. For no reason other than to defy the will of Hashem, Amalek stabs the back of the weakest of the Bnei Yisroel in the Wilderness. "No ostensible material, territorial, or political gain." Furthermore, the epdisode recounted in Megilas Esther was an attempt by Haman, a wicked Amalekite, to destroy every Jew, "the entire nation". In this sense, therefore, the Holocaust is not unique. It is a problem that Jews have faced, are facing, and will continue to face until the coming of Moshiach.
Indeed, 'zachor al tishcach', we must not forget to wipe out the memory of Amalek, of Haman, of Jewish persecution, and of the Nazis.

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About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech

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 "If God is Good, Why is the World So Bad?" and of the international best-seller, The Sistine Secrets

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