In this comprehensive lecture discussing the 'what' and 'why' of anti-semitism, Rabbi Berger shows how such irrational hatreds arose - and effective ways to deflect their destructive forces. Hear also who is considered a Jew, and the clear demarcations between Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Judaism. (A Classic)
The Holocaust was so horrific that even a reasoned well articulated case falls far short of clearing God's benevolent name. Rabbi Berger begins to offer an answer by explaining the nuanced relationship that God maintains with us. Once this backdrop is in place, many factors involved in that brutal genocide may become a bit clearer - which paradoxically can imply that God's love for us will endure eternally.
Just the word Holocaust is packed with fearful images of smoke, defenseless children, skeletal Jews and decimated communities. Where was God during all the devastation? For a moment, can we put our emotions and torment on hold to hear about our age-old responsibility of being the chosen nation? Rabbi Berkovits's clarity and gentle approach creates a powerful class on this almost untouchable subject.
How do all the memorials, reparation payments and revisionists' counterclaims help to heal a person's heart from that horrible nightmare? And why do youth, who mostly consider it just another historical event, have a vested interest to keep the lessons of the Holocaust alive? This beautiful lecture by Rav Yitchak Berkovits can also help to calm the fright people may continue to harbor by offering a healing way to look at this incomprehensible tragedy.
Mrs. Kaufman shares her three year flight to survive along with her daring escapes during World War II. Of the 75,000 children that experienced the death march and concentration camps, few lived to tell their horrifying stories. Her will to live at such a young age is not only remarkable but extremely inspirational.
The Holocaust defies logic when contemplating the inhumane treatment meted out by men towards their fellowman. How does this translate into a 'churban' - a great destruction - as God is running His world with mercy? Rabbi Kahn makes some unusual points about good and evil, and the direction European society was headed before this horrendous nightmare..
Many Jews continue to wonder 'How could God allow the Holocaust to happen to His Chosen people?' Rabbi Kahn asks the following question: 'Was the Holocaust a punishment because so many Jews were assimilating or because of the apathy that prevailed?' Explore some of the more plausible responses to this inexplicable event.
It seems to us when we are in galus that we have to do everything just like the non-Jews. When the Jews in the Purim story went to Achashverosh's party, they did no aveiras, but they forgot who they were, which was even worse. Rabbi Weisz explains the nature of galus, assimilation, and holocaust, and how we can avoid the ensuing destruction. This in-depth look at the Purim story through the lens of anti-semitism and galus is fascinating. Don't miss it!
Perhaps the metaphor of Jews going åÔlike sheep to the slaughter' was just a big excuse that non-religious Zionists used to dismiss 2,000 years of Jewish history in order to embrace secular values? Rabbi Weinberg takes the stand that it is our responsibility to scrutinize this exaggerated canard rather than sheepishly accept the popular tale of a wimpy flock being led to its own destruction.
When someone intentionally does an act that may hurt another, will God dictate the outcome - or is the victim at the mercy of the aggressor's free will? Rav Weinberg examines the dynamics of this critical topic by comparing the basic tenets of free will vs. hashgacha to known events that transpired during the Holocaust.