Reprinted with permission from "Vintage Wein" - the collected wit and wisdom of Rabbi Berel Wein, published by Shaar Press, written by Dr. James David Weiss.
In a trip to visit Israel, Rabbi Berel Wein attended morning services in a synagogue in Jerusalem. He relates that, unlike his own synagogue, which has benches facing the front of the synagogue, this synagogue had tables and benches, so he was forced to look at those praying opposite him. A tall, blue-eyed, blond-haired man and three blond small boys walked in and sat down opposite him. Rabbi Wein is used to the racial diversity of the citizens in Israel so little surprises him, but this was different; this particular family was definitely Aryan.
More noteworthy than their racial features was the seriousness and intensity of their praying. The children were especially well-behaved and followed the service dutifully without once wavering in their concentration. For Rabbi Wein, accustomed to the more freewheeling American child, it was an unusual experience.
Afterward, the rabbi remarked to a friend that they looked like fine people. His friend said that the man was a microbiologist at Hebrew University who happened to have an extraordinary story to tell. "Would you like to hear it?" he asked, and without waiting for an answer, called to his fellow congregant, "Avraham, this is Rabbi Berel Wein. I'm sure he would like to hear your story."
The two shook hands and agreed to walk home together. As they went, the rabbi listened to him tell the following story:
"I was born and brought up in Germany. My father was an officer in the elite SS killing squad, the Totenkopf (Deathhead Squad). He served throughout the war and after it was over successfully eluded apprehension. But his crimes were so heinous that years later the West German Republic continued to pursue him. Finally, he was caught and imprisoned for ten years. Later, because he was so old, they reduced his sentence and let him out after four and a half years.
It was a bewildering experience to find out that my father led such a monstrous life.
"My father never talked about his past, and when he was caught, I read about his crimes in the newspaper. It was a bewildering experience to find out that my father led such a monstrous life.
"The family was shaken by the news. I was a teenager and became very confused by all the notoriety. When we went to visit him in prison I couldn't go in to see him. I felt as if he betrayed me. However, one useful thing came out of this -- I developed an interest in the War and found out as much as I could about the Todtenkopf and its role in the Holocaust.
"All this occurred around that time the Eichmann trial was taking place, and Holocaust material began to be published. I read all I could find and was able to get a general picture of what happened to the Jews. What I found out horrified me and the thought that my father took a role -- a leading role in the slaughter -- made me feel that perhaps our family was tainted with evil. If the conditions were the same, I asked myself, could I too become a killer?
"I took a trip, getting as far away from Germany as possible. It was as if I was haunted by Germany and all things German... On the way, I decided to visit Israel to get some perspective on the victims of the Nazis and find out what was so special about this nation that so consumed Hitler. I needed to come to terms with what was churning inside of me, and I toured the country, working periodically here and there on agricultural settlements.
"While in a kibbutz, I saw a poster advertising a summer's program at Hebrew University in desert zoology, and I enrolled. I did very well and in the fall was able to register for a graduate program at the university. While I was engaged in graduate work, I also became interested in Judaism.
"I loved Israel so much I just stayed on and applied for citizenship. Also, after about two years of learning about Judaism I decided to study to become a Jew. A few years later I earned my Ph.D. in microbiology and became a Jew. I married and settled in Jerusalem. My wife was a German Lutheran, but she, too, converted. A psychologist might interpret my conversion as sublimating my guilty feelings, but I prefer to think about it as fulfilling my Jewish destiny. Don't ask me how or why, but here we are -- an observant Jewish family. And we are very happy living as Jews.
"About a year ago we learned that my father was not feeling well. My wife thought it would be a mitzvah to visit him and show him his grandchildren. At first I was apprehensive about going back to Germany, a country I now feared. But in the end, I took a sabbatical and we went back to Darmstadt to visit with my father.
When he first saw us, my father was overwhelmed, and initially, couldn't bring himself to embrace anyone.
"It was quite a scene. My boys wore their yarmulkas, and had their tzitzis (fringes) showing. Their payos (sidecurls) were tucked back behind their ears and, of course, they spoke Hebrew.
"When he first saw us, my father was overwhelmed, and initially, couldn't bring himself to embrace anyone. Later we got to talk and he seemed to be pleased by the way things were turning out for us.
"My father is very old now, over ninety, and I wanted to know what he did to merit such a long life with such grandchildren, so I asked him point blank what he had done to earn his good fortune.
"I explained to him that we Jews believe that there are consequences to what we do, and the reward system in life is measured very carefully. He looked at me and pondered the question.
"He answered, 'I can't think of anything outstanding, but once, in Frankfurt,' he said, 'when we were rounding up the Jews, I had the chance to save the lives of three Jewish boys who were hiding in a Catholic orphanage. For some reason they aroused my sympathy. I was touched by their plight; they were so lost and forlorn I felt pity for them, so I let them flee. I don't know what happened to them. But I didn't kill them.'
"I thought his answer over and told him that according to our tradition his answer made sense. 'You know, papa, if you had let four boys go, you would have had four grandchildren.'"
Excerpt from "Vintage Wein" - the collected wit and wisdom of Rabbi Berel Wein, by Dr. James David Weiss.
Visit Rabbi Wein's website at: www.rabbiwein.com
(57) joshua, May 16, 2018 10:07 PM
Darmstadt
My mother in law's family owned the kosher bakery in Darmstadt until the war. My rabbi's mother in law was a teenager and still remembers getting hot bread and rolls delivered by my wife's great uncles. Only my wife's grandmother made it out alive. She was 11. I wonder if this man's father knew the Freudenbergers. If those boys he spared were in Darmstadt .. I wonder. As a ger myself, I would say, however, that you have no obligation of kibud av to your biological father. L'halacha he's not your father. I am nauseated by the thought that you might have said kaddish for him. On the other hand, H" must have wanted him to see you as you truly are - a proud Yid carrying on the living Torah. What a story.
(56) Rafael, December 31, 2015 3:32 PM
I am simply farklemt at many of the comments
There is a fear that German converts have Natzi genetics that will infiltrate Israel . It is very revealing and very unspiritual . This thinking is the bedrock of racism which is the very thing Jews claim they have been victims off .
At the very least , let's say they are self hating Germans in the same manner as we assign the label "self hating Jews" . You have to admit ...they can make the best spokesmen for the Jewish cause
(55) Harv, December 29, 2015 3:50 PM
Burn in Hell
If the old cretin were my father, I would not honor him with a visit. He would never see his family. I would volunteer to be the executioner. May his soul forever burn in hell.
(54) Anonymous, December 29, 2015 3:40 PM
Dangerous story
There isn't enough space to catalog everything wrong with this story, but the most glaring to me is that the Jewish son of a Nazi convicted of war crimes counselled his father that the son knows G-d's ways. In no context could this be more dangerous than in connection with the Shoah. I understand the impulse to try, but we have been warned by prophets of better pedigry not to do so. And I am shocked that a trained savage, albeit aged, was allowed physical access to anyone's Jewish grandchildren.
(53) rose yanovskaya, October 22, 2013 11:43 PM
I do believe and I don't in the Jewish future of these grandchildren. I wish this family remain Jewish and happy.
(52) Diane Hibbard, June 26, 2012 5:37 AM
The child doesn't carry the guilt of the parent..............
What a difficult situation for the son!! Germany is collectively guilty for this atrocity. I admire the son's conviction to be such a great Israeli. I doubt the children will "suddenly turn" on the religion, they sound like great Jews!!
(51) shlomo, May 1, 2010 10:49 AM
I dont know what to think about it
say it isn't so all my life I keep thinking about what your father did and can your future people be much better and I dont know so I will pray to hashem about this
(50) Anonymous, April 27, 2010 12:13 AM
Psychologist material
Who knows if these kids are going to turn on Jews one day and be in a perfect position to do so right in Jerusalem. Arabs and Jews were patrolling together in teh hope of peace but when push came to shove the Arab shot the Isreali sitting next to him on the tank. Sure when Israel is strong and can defend itself there are people clamoring to join. Let these two go live among their own... I cannot help but be scepticle the next generation will stay Jewish...
(49) Anonymous, April 18, 2010 3:41 AM
Quite disturbing, to say the least.
I have to agree with comments #41 and #43. Story just seems creepy.
(48) Alexander Huzau, April 17, 2010 8:51 PM
G-d is merciful, mankind not..
Years before, I was working for a senior-caretaker service in Germany. Once, I was sent to an old man(93) to assist him 4-6 hours a day until his son comes back from vacation. From the first day I noticed his depression. In his room I observed some WWII memorabilia and beeing good in history, we began to talk about the war. He was not pleased to talk about, even repulsive. Days later he confessed me, he was a high ranked officer in the SS at the time. I asked him point blank, if he has a guilty conscience. He pondered long my question, then he said: - For what I done, there is no mercy! He didn't told me what he has done, and I asked him not. Then, after many minutes of silence, I told him: - Where sincere repentence is, there is forgiveness too. Just imagine: wthout forgiveness, the mankind would be already lost...
(47) TAMMY WELLMAN, April 16, 2010 1:29 AM
G-D'S MERCY
This is such a bittersweet story, I had it on my mind all day. This story shows that even in the presence of such great evil G-D still shows himself as merciful.
(46) Yitzchak S, April 12, 2010 10:57 PM
Total Cognative Disadence
It is easy to empathize with the total range of emotions that the visitors have shared in response to this article. Todah for their comments. Likewise, it is an amazingly person who could share his families’ story with us. This being said, I am neither the Righteous Judge nor understand the scope of Hashem’s mercy. What I do know is that this Todtenkopf officer raised a son that looked for truth and found it in Torah. If it is appropriate to think of this story in terms of Amalek, then it is the son of this officer that by being a Jew has destroyed the seed of Amalek, in his way. While we will never forget Amalek, this son’s action is a mitzvah. B”H Thus to this Jewish man and his family, thanks for coming home and sharing your story. You have made us better and made a contribution to healing this world. Shalom aleichem.
(45) Shmuel M, April 12, 2010 1:24 PM
Nebuchadnetzar - Became king, his son King, and his grandchild King.
I have been listening to Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier alot lately, and in one shiur he said something very susinct. It says that Nebuchadnetzar (you know the one that destroyed the Beis Hamikdash and killed thousands of Jews) became king because when he sent to King Chizkiyahu a get well note, and his scribes wrote on the note first, Chizkiyahu then Yerushalayim and only then did they write Hashem. Nevuchadnetzar chased after the messanger 2 and a half steps, before an angle came and stopped him from running more. Nevuchadnetzar won the kingship from running one step, his son got the kingship for the second step and his grandson got the kingdom but lost it half way for the last half step that he took. Here we have someone who was much worse than this Nazi officer, getting all his reward in this world. It very well could be, that that Nazi officers "reward" in this world was to have those three kids as his grandchildren. I am not sure that this can be considered a reward in his eyes, as a matter of fact it was most probably a slap in the face to his belief's. Haman had a grandkid who was a major Gadol in Israel. We don't know G-d's ways. We like to think we do, but in the end we don't see the whole picture until hundreds of years later. Yes, "Wipe out the remembrence of Amalek". Yes "never ever forgive a nation that destroyed yours". But always remember, the ultimate slap in the face to the Nazi murderers are more Jewish children. Jewish children born from the son of a Nazi is the ultimate slap in the face.
(44) Pleasant, April 11, 2010 10:50 PM
Okay, to all the haters in here:
Stop it. The nazi gradfather didn't escape punishment. Think, do we not believe in repentence. Do we not believe that God is the only one who truly knows our hearts? Has it occurred to you that the grandfather felt most uncomfortable because his grandsons stood there like an accusation of his past? During the war, he was a fool who let himself get brainwashed and behave as a beast. Sometime in the middle of that his logic took over and he said, No! I will not do it again! So because he only saved 3 boys you will still hate him? Do we only forgive womanizers like schindler because they save hundreds? What happened to the saying that when you save one life you have saved world's. Well he did that three times at once. I recently met a former Nazi dying in a hospital bed who was ridiculing the mexican girls that cleaned with me. He assumed that because I am white looking that I was a nurse and then I turned it around, joking with him about his nice stay and did he like his bratwurst and wine? What a 5 star hotel the place was. He smiled, laughed with me and then told me his secret. He said he spent most of the war hiding out as a Nazi deserter because he didn't want to kill his countrymen even if thy were Jewish. Sometimes he came close to getting caught. I counted it a blessing to meet him. The last thing he said to me as I was leaving is, "Those girls aren't so bad. I'm not really like that you know? Have a good day." It was Friday at 3:pm. A little war was won. ;D
Gee Miller, December 29, 2015 3:32 PM
Now, that story I liked...
I knew an older man who was a resident of the Warsaw Ghetto and was NEVER ready to forgive and forget the Nazis...he could hurt you just by doing a short poke or kill you with a movement...his time spent after the Ghetto was used to work in the Polish underground killing Germans, particularly officers.
Yet, as bitter as this man was, and I so admired his response to the murder of his family and neighbors, I knew the kindness and love he kept inside him, for his family and others.
Hell can create Demons, but it can leave our inner self available to move on and grow whole.
I am bitter as only a second Generation after the Holocaust Jew can be, but I admire the son of a monster who chose to honor those who, in reality, defeated the evil that was the Third Reich...his family grows as Jews, they are each day refuting the Nazis by their living Judaism...
(43) Anonymous, April 9, 2010 7:23 PM
I find this story very disturbing and twisted
How are we to understand Judaism in this story? A murderer who killed is being rewarded with grandchildren because once he restrained himself? This is as twisted as they come, I'm sorry I can't by far find any resemblance of mitzva in not killing. It makes my skin crawl.
MESA, July 15, 2019 1:27 PM
That Nazi was not rewarded. He was punished in the best way possible. Yes, he had grandchildren, but he had JEWISH grandchildren. This was someone who tried to destroy us Jews and he winds up with Jewish grandchildren who will ensure that our nation will outlive and outlast the Nazis. No reward for him. Am Yisrael Chai V'Kayam.
(42) Carl T, April 9, 2010 1:43 PM
Right sentiment, wrong target
Most of father's family was lost in the Holocaust also so I complete understand and agree with your 'never forget' and never forget Amalek point. However, the son we are talking about here is obviously a righteous ger, not a 'pal' but a full member of the family with the same jewish neshama that Hashem and Hashem only has decided should be born into this body and this circumstance. This is not for us to second guess. Amalek must be destroyed, but am yisrael must always live and live together in peace. Shabbat Shalom
(41) Anonymous, April 8, 2010 2:20 AM
ZACHOR ET ASHER ASA LECHA AMALEK!!!!
SHALOM/ TO THE WRITER I WOULD SAY,THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE CALLED A NAZI MURDERER,"PAPA",A MURDERER WHOSE HANDS ARE TAINTED WITH PAPAS BLOOD ,JEWISH OF ALL AGES? YOUR FATHER IS SIMBOLYZING THE ABOMINATION OF THE REAL MEANING OF ABA,PAPA,TATE AND MANY MANY MILLIONS OF FATHERS WHOSE FATHERHOOD HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY BEASTS LIKE YOURS.SORRY PAL,THIS JEW WONT EVER FORGIVE OR FORGET!!!!
(40) D.K. Milgrim-Heath, April 7, 2010 9:57 PM
A Story Of A Lifelong Duty And Truth
A Story Of a Lifelong Duty And Truth By D.K. Milgrim-Heath©2010 A story of a lifelong duty and truth- Affected a person in their youth. A father convicted as a Nazi in second world war- Changed a child’s life forever more. Educating himself fully about the Holocaust- Understanding the ways how a race was sadly lost. By murders his father did do it was really so- Horrors being a Nazi’s son remained from years ago. From the father’s cruelties known by the son- Became reversed as his love of Judaism begun. Very deep spiritual soul stirrings were sought- Conquered totally immersed in Jewish thought. The tides of real love were profoundly turning- A longing to be Jewish so strong was this yearning. This young man finally fulfilled his Jewish destiny. Having a prouder heritage he felt peaceful and free. Once more the son saw his father fail and now old- The old father saving Jewish orphans a story was told. Never knowing how one’s life can radically change- Are we prepared whenGod helps our lives to re-arrange?
(39) Meira, April 7, 2010 8:55 PM
Lost sparks that might illuminate our world
This is from “obvious improbable” stories which we all need to collect and repeat again and again...
(38) shimon, April 7, 2010 6:32 PM
god works in mysterious ways
this is measure for measure the altimate punishment for a nazi that from his own seed will come out jews .just like pharo raised moshe in his own home while ordering every jewish boy to be killed.
(37) Brian Schafer, April 7, 2010 2:29 AM
Todah Raba
Good job in your search for the truth,You are a great man for your ability to take the tough road to find peace love and a wonderful future for yourself and your family. Nice story on your part as for the past it is what it is we live and we learn hopefully we never forget.
(36) Paul, May 10, 2005 12:00 AM
How could Heaven and its inhabitants keep on going while the 2nd world war and the "final solution" unraveled is perplexing. At least something good, as the story above shows, came from it.
(35) Robbin, May 6, 2005 12:00 AM
interesting ...
I wonder if Avraham was born after the war ... if that were the case then if the Nazi had been killed ~ Avraham & his sons would never have existed ...
(34) brian estill, May 6, 2005 12:00 AM
wow!!!
that's all i can say about that story....wow. Thanks for letting me hear that incredible story. thank you!!
(33) Shlomo, May 4, 2005 12:00 AM
long life
Its known that G-D gives the evil ones a chance to make teshuba so He gives them long life hoping for they to go back to the right path.Of course dont always the person sees it.
(32) MOSHE GEWIRTZ, May 4, 2005 12:00 AM
THOUGHT PROVOKING
THE REAL PUNISHMENT FOR THIS NAZI MURDERER WAS TO SEE HIS JEWISH OFFSPRING. I PRAY THAT HE LIVE ANOTHER 100 YEARS, SUFFERING EVERY DAY. IN CASE HE IS ALREADY DEAD, I HOPE HIS BLACK SOUL WILL KEEP BURNING!!!
(31) JOE HERES, May 4, 2005 12:00 AM
must commend avraham for valor facing the world..
(AVRAHAM) ONE OF OUR FORE-FATHERS:,HIS CHILDREN WILL MULTIPLY,WITH THE GRACE OF HASHEM,TO AS MANY AS 6 MILLION,AND MORE.THROUGH THE SON OF THIS ,OFFICER OF THE GESTAPO.HE WHO SAVES A JEW ITS LIKE HE SAVED A WORLD,AND ALL THEIR DECENDANTS.
(30) D, May 3, 2005 12:00 AM
wow
Your article inspired me to be more proud that I was born a Jew. Your dedication and courage to Judiasm is absolutely amazing.
(29) Anonymous, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
incredibly sad
this story is so sad. it shows that even the nazis had a good side to them and how tragic it is that they turned out like they did
(28) Andy, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
where's the beef?
My father is very old now, over ninety, and I wanted to know what he did to merit such a long life with such grandchildren, so I asked him point blank what he had done to earn his good fortune.
"I explained to him that we Jews believe that there are consequences to what we do, and the reward system in life is measured very carefully. He looked at me and pondered the question.
I believe the talmud states that the wicked receive their full reward for any positve deeds in this world and the righteous receive it in the next world.
A little too much pie in the sky when you die for my taste which I suspect tries to explain the unknowable but I am not qualified to know if it's true and my hunch may be wrong.
It seems that all people do some acts of kindness however that does not make them kind people. To make the leap that because this mass murderer acted compassionately once he merits living to an old age with fine grandchildren seems a stretch to put it mildly.
(27) Anonymous, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
wonderful story. I wish there were more of them.
(26) raye, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
Incredible
Is it supposed to make the grandfather repent for what he has done by showing him his Jewish grandchildren?
(25) heshy, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
wow!
amazing!
(24) Robert Berman, May 2, 2005 12:00 AM
I am most thankful I was born in the U.S. in 1942 and that while I remember my Grandparents talking about the Gestapo both I, my parents, and my beloved grandparents were not in Germany.
While reading this article it dawned on me that if this Nazi officer had killed himself at the height of his murderous career perhaps more than 4 Jewish children might have survived. I see nothing redeeming to merit his long life and loving Jewish children and grand children.
(23) Aaron Shay, May 1, 2005 12:00 AM
It's sp nice and powerful.It also shows us the power of G-d.Thanks for this article.
(22) Gary Higley, February 6, 2003 12:00 AM
moving
The stories I read on Aish.com are so powerful and moving-- I wish every single person on earth could read these stories--there are lessons here for all mankind if they would simply open their minds and souls. I pray to G-d that that would happen.
(21) Sam Ganden, February 1, 2003 12:00 AM
About a Nazi that converts to Judaism.
This article was very interesting I enjoyed reading it. I thought that Avraham was brave converting to become a "Jew." I thought that all people that were raised by Nazi parents are terrible and horrible. This article proved me wrong. It also taught me a lesson, just because people are raised by Nazis' or terrorists doesn't mean that they will grow up that way.
(20) Joshua Leff, January 27, 2003 12:00 AM
A very touching story
It is also a very odd story. Iremember listening to Bertold Goldschmidt speaking about his interrogation with a Gestapo officer(before the war).They got on to talk about how much Bertold charged for teaching music. The officer's child was obviously being charged more for learning the piano.
For a moment at least, a touch of humanity came over the Nazi. Bertold was no longer loked upon as just another Jew,but a man ,like any other.
The officer gave Bertold the best advice he had ever received:'Whatever you do, get out of Germany'.
(19) Dicky van Gelderen, January 20, 2003 12:00 AM
Envy
Yes, I'm envious with a Jewish father and a non-jewish mother, who for years impressed on me not to reveal any Jewish roots. I'd much prefer to have been born with a nazi criminal for a father, to then become a Jew like the man in your story, than one without an identity and this longing which no amount of study and voluntary Brit-Milah can satisfy. I admit to envying the old killer for having his zerak kadeeshed by the One and Only Baruch Hu U Varuch Shemo. Only hope now lies in Olam ha Ba.
(18) Sorochelli Jabwar, January 20, 2003 12:00 AM
This is such a moving story...I loved the part of "had you saved four boys, you would have had four grandchildren". How amazing! I'm sure it made the Nazi think. I wonder about the end?...did the Nazi ever repent?
(17) Anonymous, January 19, 2003 12:00 AM
grandchildren
I believe that many of us are called to Judaism it is up to each of us to answer, to pick the right path
(16) Anonymous, January 17, 2003 12:00 AM
The tears flowed....
I just cried and cried when I read this story about the German converted to Judaism. There are many stories along these lines untold, and so our G-d will have his way, as it should be.
(15) Steven, January 17, 2003 12:00 AM
Very Inspiring
I think it’s as plain as day and the answer to the son’s questions are in his own story. The man is alive today to witness the rebirth of the Jewish nation. This is what this man hated and feared all his life. His worst nightmare came true, not only did he not succeed in exterminating all of us, his own son and grandson, have become exactly what he feared and loathed.
The long life of this Nazi is G-d’s punishment; maybe the man can live another 30 years with his shame to bear.
(14) menachem, January 17, 2003 12:00 AM
very moving
it was a very moving story for me abour how he visited his father after murdering all those jews it was just very moving
(13) sjhepner, January 16, 2003 12:00 AM
amazing....
Nazi operators got away with their deeds... and very few were apprehended... they were mass murderers... and deserved life sentences in multiples.... saving 3 boys is fine, but what about the others he murdered... for their sake... he does not deserve foregivenes....toitkpopf... says it all ... the murderous insolence... the glee even , that is implied in this evil name and intention....
(12) SassY, January 16, 2003 12:00 AM
Fulfilling my Jewish destiny
Wow! What a story of conversion....how encouraging. I also am fulfilling my Jewish Destiny! I am a former Xtian, in the process of converting. I was married to Jew who is a 'messy' (messianic, being that he believes in jc/yushkie) and he was raised in Israel. He still believes in JC. Now that I have been divorced frum him for over 10 years..I have woken up to my error ( thanks to www.messiahtruth.com ), left Xtianity, and am now in the process of converting to Torah observant Judaism. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS STORY! It encourages me to maybe one day to tell my story....B"H ~Shalom ~Sassy
(11) Mordy Neuman, January 16, 2003 12:00 AM
Very powerful story!
Very powerful story. One point though:
We as Jews believe in something called, “Hestar Punim,” which means that although everything is carefully measured with a reward and consequence system, not everything is revealed to the naked eye. If not for “Hestar Punim,” how could Hitler get away for so many years? Of course when the heavenly system shows, as it did in this case, it is astonishing. But one must not lose his Emunah and belief in Hashem regardless of the outcome.
(10) Aviva, January 16, 2003 12:00 AM
Excellent story....
The ending made me cry.. It reminded me of Schindler's List, where Oskar Schindler realizes that had he just taken his ring, and sold it, he could have saved hundreds more Jews. In the end, we're told, we're shown our life as we lived it, and then our life as it could have been had we fulfilled our potential. The disparity between the two defines whether we're in heaven or hell. I imagine that Nazi father is definitely in hell... if not physically, then mentally, because he has to live with what he's done.
(9) Zamira Rajchgod, January 16, 2003 12:00 AM
truly amazing story
almost unbelievable that the son of a Nazi would become a Jew!
(8) Tamar Fix, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
print worthy
Wow! What an amazing story. I had to print it out to share. What strength and depth of character Avraham and his wife posess. It is a zechus for Klal Yisroel to have such an example among us. That no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your past is, with your ratzon alone and Hakodesh Barchu's guidance you can move mountains. with gratitude for this story, Tamar
(7) Leon Schimmel, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
I feel so happy to be born as a Jew , so that I did not have to go through all the ordeal of having a father a criminal and in the end becoming a Jew.
(6) Anita Stern, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
What irony!!
What irony that the son of a Nazi murderer should become an orthodox Jew and bring his orthodox children to see their Nazi grandfather. Unbelievable turn of fate. It shows that with free will a man can escape a terrible past. It reminds me of the patriarch Abraham escaping from his father, the idol maker.
bonita henderson, January 28, 2016 4:14 PM
But he never went back
Having left, he never, himself, went back.
I'm having trouble with how he can reconcile his innocent children to that degree of hatred. To expose them to it deliberately, when, being Israeli, they have to daily live with those who want to kill them.
It is all such a heart breaker.
(5) rose paull, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
what was g-d thinking? my mother died at 55 .
this man killed hundreds of jews and in the end was reqarded with grandchildren and a long life...now I have to question..tue we must not question the ways of g-d but what is this..this man should have died a misesrable death and felt the pain he caused millions or thousands of people..I cccccccccccccccant appreciate this story..yes..I like the idea that his son is trying to repend for his father..but I am not impressed..thank you.
CJ, December 29, 2015 7:40 PM
Not trying to "repent"
This man was first drawn to Israel and then became drawn to Judaism, so much so, that he became a Jew. He became a Jew for himself, not to "repent" for another's sin. Isn't "vicarious atonement" a part of Christianity and not Judaism?
(4) Anonymous, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Excellent!
I very much enjoyed this article and found the ending fascinating, the son's response to his father's answer of how he would have had 4 grandchildren had he saved/spared 4 Jewish boys!
(3) Leon Magill, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Interesting
Evil remains even though it may appear as good. The only good nazi is a dead nazi and this one should not have been allowed to survive for such a long time.
(2) Shoshana, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Wow!
I got goose-pums reading this story.
Thank you for sharing this terribly moving story with us.
(1) Mathew Backholer, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Very moving, the Nazi's grandchildren & TV warning
This story was very moving and enjoyable.Last week i read about the TV warnings by a Rabbi and that was very shocking, a real eye opener, yours faithfully, Mathew