We didn’t “go like sheep to slaughter”. There were many rebellions and resistance of all sizes. Even when so many types of agency were restricted, there were still ways people fought back. Physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
And, there were so many collaborators, people who were complicit. Even afterwards.
A compilation of some of what’s on my mind today I’d like to share - mainly, on arguments, motivations, and responses -
Copy/pasted from Limmud North America’s 49 Steps email, May 6, 2024:
When Not to Talk it Out
ZVI HIRSCHFIELD
Without abandoning my belief in the enormous intellectual and spiritual growth generated by a discourse of questions and mahloket (disagreement), there are times when it is better not to have the conversation; the Sages name these unhealthy conflicts "Mahlokot not for the sake of Heaven." (Pirkei Avot 5:17)
While often difficult to identify, our tradition offers some guideline:
Is anybody listening? – If I, or the person I am in disagreement with, is not capable of hearing the other with an open mind, a debate will only increase bad feelings.
Is it the issue or is it personal? – The great 18th century Talmudist R. Yonatan Eibyshitz wrote that the test of whether or not a conflict is "for the sake of Heaven" is how do I feel about the person with whom I disagree. "If one feels a complete love in their heart and soul for the person with whom they disagree- they can be assured it is a mahloket for the sake of Heaven." Am I debating an issue or policy, or do I see the other as an enemy who threatens my well-being.
What is my motivation? – R. Moshe Sofer wrote that the goal of a healthy mahloket is not to "bring the other person to my side," but rather to discover the truth. Before engaging in mahloket, I must ask myself if I want to defeat my opponent or am I looking for an opportunity to learn forward, winning is not the goal of a mahloket for the sake of Heaven.
Based on the above, all of us must enter an exchange of conflicting views with honest self - awareness and genuine humility. May we be blessed with the wisdom to discern between them.
Zvi Hirschfield teaches Talmud and Jewish thought at the Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies.
An Instagram post about types of arguments (logical fallacies in particular)
[to read+click through]
A YouTube video on addressing antisemitism on this first Yom HaShoah since Oct. 7
[~40 minutes]
Borrowing from the footer image of Daniel Gordis’ newsletter - text+translation is from Sefaria:
אַחֵֽינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל הַנְּ֒תוּנִים בַּצָּרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה הָעוֹמְ֒דִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְ֒וָחָה וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְ֒אֻלָּה הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן:
[As for] our brethren, the entire House of Israel who [still] remain in distress and captivity, whether on sea or on land, may God have compassion on them, and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from servitude to redemption, at this moment, speedily, very soon; and let us say Amein.
Antisemitism and hatred are unfortunately worldwide. We have to be the light unto the nations and live according to Torah.