Rethinking the Holocaust

by Talya Lev

Holocaust Remembrance Day broke my heart. Not only because of all the incredible amounts of pain, suffering, and loss, but because everywhere I look, there is no message in all of this madness. I turn on the TV and am overwhelmed by stories filled with death and horror; but what am I supposed to take out of all of this? Throughout our lives we are exposed to the Holocaust, but for what purpose other than to remember? At some point, even memory fades away...

I am writing this note because I want to challenge everyone to think new thoughts. I want people to realize that Holocaust Day can be the most powerful reminder for the Jewish people to love each other, and actively care for one another, without bias. And through this caring, this unbelievably high Ahavat Chinam, we can stand up against any enemy and prevent any catastrophe from ever happening again.

I heard a highly respected rabbi speaking on the radio blaming the Holocaust on the Reform Jews who removed all mention of Zion from their prayer books. But what about all those Orthodox Jews in Europe who left Zion in their books but erased it from their hearts? There is really so much work to do in this country; so much hate and misinformation. I wanted to call the radio station but they offered no number.

We all know that Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, and Hamas are all mobilizing and openly threatening to destroy us. War seems to be an ever-present danger, but we have the power to shine and stand together as a people. Throughout our history, we have always had ups and downs, times of peace and times of war; but one thing always held true: when we cared for one another, when we took responsibility for each other, we were able to stand up to any threat, even against all odds.

So that is the message I give to you. To Love. To Care. To take responsibility for all our brothers and sisters because we are ONE family. And to actively spread that message through all the Jewish people in Israel and abroad. Now is the time of the Omer and we are counting down to Matan Torah – receiving the Torah. Rabbi Akiva’s students were all killed because of a lack of respect for each other. So let us work on having genuine care and respect for one another.

We are meant to be a light onto the nations. I believe we can be.