OpEd: Can a Holocaust Happen Again?

By Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg

EDISON, New Jersey — What do you think about God in the Holocaust? I have taught Holocaust studies for most of my life on the high school and college level. When I discuss the Holocaust and God, I share many possible views. In truth, after having written numerous books on the subject I don’t have an answer.

I cannot in good conscience believe that the Jewish people were punished, because if I believe that, then I would not be a Rabbi, and probably be an atheist. One and a half million priceless Jewish children were murdered. What was their sin? The answer I give myself and others is that mankind caused the Holocaust, not God. It is the only answer I can live with.

Yet I just read Rabbi Avigdor Miller’s Divine Defense of Hashem Madness In The Matter of the Holocaust and I remembered my father telling me the Shoah was predicted in the Chumash, the Tocha Hah. The Holocaust according to some occurred because of sinat chinum , hatred of each other.  This is now occurring in Israel and America for all the world to see. I am becoming more and more concerned about the personal attacks and character assassination occurring on Facebook. The entire world is seeing this.

We 2g’s, second generation, also need to realize that the neo-Nazis and antisemites are having a field day watching Jew fight Jew. We are not only Democrats and Republicans , we are Americans. of Av.  If you dislike our president, vote him out; if you like him help to get him re-elected. All this hated on the Internet will not accomplish either. It has truly gotten out of hand. If someone attacks you with horrible comments, delete them, instead of having an ongoing tread of insults.

My students ask me “Can the Holocaust happen again?” My answer is a definite yes. A number of nuclear bombs thrown at Israel by its enemies would annihilate the Israeli population. One is naïve to believe that antisemitism does not exist throughout the world. If we have learned anything from the Shoah, it is that it is possible for a madman to arise who wants to annihilate the Jewish people. Never fool yourself into believing that you are safe anywhere. We must always be alert and fight against prejudice wherever it may exist.

Antisemitism is alive and well. If you have never experience antisemitism, you will very soon. Learn self-defense and use it if needed. Purchase whatever device will protect you. Do not walk alone if possible and certainly not late at night. If attacked fight back. Bullies only know one thing, power. Is a holocaust on its way? A holocaust is possible. If G-d forbid, Israel is destroyed, I tell you we Jews will be destroyed. Those at war with Israel are today’s Nazis. They will burn, rape and murder anyone that does not agree with their barbaric methodology. Give financially to Israel and write our political leadership. Israel must survive and we must survive.

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Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg is rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth-El in Edison, New Jersey and is the author of Theological and Halachich Reflections on the Holocaust, among other books. He serves on the New Jersey State Holocaust Commission and chairs the Holocaust Commission of the New York Board of Rabbis.