Kristallnacht's Chilling Lesson

Advertisements
Advertisements

4 min read

FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintFriendlyShare

Raw evil was unmasked and unashamed, a chilling harbinger for the destruction of European Jewry.

Most of the time evil cloaks itself with some form of apparent righteousness. Lenin, Stalin, Pol Pot and Chairman Mao killed millions for what they claimed were just causes that would benefit humankind. Many in the Moslem world mask their evil behavior and terrorism with the cloak of religion and faith.

To a certain extent, however, the brutal, evil behavior of the Nazis and Germans towards the Jewish people was an exception to this rule. Here was raw evil unmasked and unashamed with no excuses presented and no justification advanced. Like the barbarity unsheathed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, this clear revelation of evil was on world display on the night of Kristallnacht.

Synagogues burned to the ground, Jews killed and arrested and sent to concentration camps, Jewish stores and homes destroyed and vandalized -- all of this occurred on that black night in November 1938. It became clearer to those who wanted to see it that the Final Solution was going to become a reality.

Kristallnacht was the watershed event in the destruction of European Jewry.

Kristallnacht was the watershed event in the destruction of European Jewry. The only question after Kristallnacht was whether anything could be done to save European Jewry from the planned disaster that Hitler and his cohorts wished to visit on the Jewish people.

Unfortunately the practical answer to this question of life and death turned out to be one of helplessness and almost surrender. Thus Kristallnacht should have removed the blinders from the eyes of the Western world as to what awaited them a few short months later from Germany -- a world war that would destroy tens of millions and destroy Europe for generations. Part of the tragedy of Kristallnacht is that it did not send the necessary wakeup call to those who could have yet stood up to Germany. And so the deluge arrived.

WAR AGAINST GOD

It was not a random event that synagogues were destroyed and scrolls of Torah were desecrated. The Nazi regime in Germany was basically anti-religion and anti-God, and the Jewish people represented -- and still represent -- faith and awe of the Almighty. Individual Jews, even though millions of them may have abandoned Jewish practice and faith, were nevertheless caught in the net of the Jewish faith and tradition of Torah. Hitler stated that the Jewish problem was genetic and not one of individual behavior.

Most of the Jews in Germany were assimilated, proud Germans who placed their Germaness over their Jewish ancestry. But Jewishness can never be separated from Torah, and if there were Jews who did not understand this, the Nazis certainly did. Kristallnacht was the attack against Judaism, against Torah, against God Himself, so to speak. Jews were always persecuted not for their own personal behavior or human failings but for the faith and value system that they represented.

Fire destroys and fire warms; the choice remains with us.

Judaism was the antithesis of all that Naziism and its barbarism stood for. And therefore Kristallnacht marks the beginning of that all out war against Judaism, the Jewish people, Torah and the God of Israel. And we can say of Kristallnacht what the great martyr of Roman times, Rabi Chanina ben Tradyon said of the scroll of Torah in which he was wrapped and burned alive: "The scrolls and parchment may burn to ashes but the letters of the Torah still float in the air." The synagogues and Torahs of the Jews of Germany were reduced to ashes and the Jews were killed, but the words and values of Torah and the souls of the murdered still float in the air, giving the world no rest and still raising matters of conscience.

FIRE THAT BUILDS

Kristallnacht demands of us to strengthen our ties to Judaism and to stand strong on behalf of the values and lives of Jews the world over and in defense of the Jewish state. It is tragic beyond words that Hitler should gain posthumous victory over Torah and the Jewish people. Saying "never again" is wishful and in itself impractical. Only actions and constructive efforts can guarantee "never again" as a reality.

Every Jew has a responsibility to one's self and to one's family future -- as well as to Jewish history and destiny -- to strengthen one's attachment to Judaism and the Jewish people.

The fires of Kristallnacht must be converted to the fire of Judaism and Jewish life within the souls of the Jewish people. Fire destroys and fire warms; it can be constructive or destructive. Those choices remain with us, and Kristallnacht and its events focus our attention on these choices. May the memory of Kristallnacht light the fire of a greater Jewish future within all of us.

Click here to comment on this article
guest
11 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Steven Finer
Steven Finer
1 month ago

This is one of Aish's most insightful articles to date. It should be provide an understanding to all Jews, far and wide. Continue your legacy of educating our people everywhere.

Steven Finer

Last edited 1 month ago by Steven Finer
Nina Kotek
Nina Kotek
4 months ago

The IDF is asking the hospital to evacuate, and when they do, Hamas shoots grenades at the civilians so their human shields won't leave. Maybe address your concerns to Hamas, who don't even spare their own, and not to Israel, which helps even enemy civilians?

Laura Parker
Laura Parker
4 months ago

My assimilated great grandmother refused to leave Germany. All of her 7 children and grandchildren left in 1933 and begged her to leave. She committed suicide 10 days after Kristallnacht....when she finally faced the reality of being Jewish.

steven finer
steven finer
4 months ago

Aish HaTorah inspired my brother and I to become observant. This article is an excellent example of their ongoing efforts to educate every Jew, and to return him to his heritage. Steven Finer

Nate
Nate
4 months ago

I saw a great story about Kristallnacht. Mr. Moshe Kaufman, was a fully religious businessman in Berlin. His wife Shifra Roiza would prepare a special breakfast for the poor of the city. It took place in their home, every Friday morning. It included a large spread – including various types of bread, fish, cheese, fruits and vegetables, coffee and some l’chayim (whiskey)! The people would come together and enjoy each other’s company. Since they did not have a fridge or freezer, Mrs. Kaufman would stay up all Thurs. night preparing. The Germans had said the attack would go on for exactly 24 hrs. - until 8pm sharp, ‘vail urdenung must zain’ (there must be order) – the Germans were very orderly! The house before theirs was the last on their block to be attacked!

Patti
Patti
4 months ago

This was a very eye-opening article. Thanks so much!

Harvey Goldstein
Harvey Goldstein
4 months ago

I have always been keenly aware of the Holocaust and its beginnings. My mother taught me to never forget who or what I am. I am not a religious Jew but I am a cultural one. 10/7 reinforces who I am and what I am and brings me closer to my heritage. It is important to understand that to say Never Again is nothing more than a slogan unless we have the strength and determination to enforce it

Rev. Richards
Rev. Richards
4 months ago

Great word! "Fire warms or fire burns." The choice is ours.

Richard Miller
Richard Miller
4 months ago

In 1970 my neighbor [Queens, NYC] who is Jewish born and raised as a young girl in Germany told me how the Nazis ransacked her parent's toy store on Kristallnacht. The Nazis told her family to get out! Fortunately the family was able to leave Germany quickly and made their way to England.

Chana Berger
Chana Berger
4 months ago

Knowledge is power. This article shared a lot of knowledge and helped me to become a stronger Jew.

Steven Finer
Steven Finer
1 month ago
Reply to  Chana Berger

Thank you Chana for your wonderful words. Steve Finer

EXPLORE
LEARN
MORE
Explore
Learn
Resources
Next Steps
About
Donate
Menu
Languages
Menu
oo
Social
.