Torah Commentary with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

"Never Again!" This is the battle cry; the clarion call of our people when discussing the Shoah, the Holocaust. "Never Again!" But what does that mean? When I was growing up, my father used to say "Never Again" when discussing the Holocaust. He would often add that the educational center and museum in Israel, Yad VaShem, meant, "Never Again." It doesn't. Now I share this with you not to expose my father's lack of knowledge. He was the smartest person I've even known. I remember him connecting the phrase "Never Again" to the museum in Jerusalem because my older sister, who had Hebrew fluency would challenge him on it. Yad VaShem literally means, "Hand and Name." Unfortunately, my sister's rebuttal didn't help much. I liked the definition of Yad VaShem better when my father translated it. "Never Again" better captures the work that the Yad VaShem museum does by educating, honoring and advocating for the victims, survivors, and heroes of the Shoah.

The name, "Yad VaShem," is actually an expression in the book of Isaiah (56:5)

I will give them, in My House
And within My walls,
A monument and a name (Yad VaShem)
Better than sons or daughters.
I will give them an everlasting name
Which shall not perish.

The phrase is fitting although, in context, there is a lot to unpack. However, we will have to save the exploration of this Biblical verse and its application here for another Torah commentary. What is clear, is that it doesn't mean "Never Again." In defense of my father, the phrase "Never Again" was imbued in all the work of educating and advocating for the victims of the Holocaust. In that way, I am on board. Never should such horror happen again. Never should anybody seek the oppression, subjugation, and annihilation of another people. Never again should such darkness befall our world. I am in full support of such a sentiment. And, if I may appropriate a phrase from our sacred Passover narrative, Dayenu! If the world just consisted of me and those who seek my words and example for guidance, "Never Again" would be enough.

But it's not. It's not enough. It isn't an expression that lives in the hearts and minds of enough people. Since the horrors of the Shoah, there have been countless efforts by individuals, peoples, and governments to continue the heinous crimes committed by the Nazis, their collaborators, benefactors, and bystanders. And if we expand these horrific intentions to the oppression and murder of other people (non-Jews), the number grows exponentially. "Never Again" is a battle cry for a never-ending cosmic war between the forces of light against the insidious nature of darkness. By itself, "Never Again" feels destined to never being achieved.

I wonder if there are some new phrases that we might begin to share with the world. As the final eyewitnesses to the Shoah pass away, I wonder if there is a new phrase that might need to be shared which can begin to soften hearts and change minds.

This past weekend, we were honored and blessed by the presence of Mr. Brendan Murphy, professor of history at the Marist school. Mr. Murphy, a devout Catholic, is a hero of the Jewish people and of all people. During Mr. Murphy's presentation, he shared the ethic that brought him to dedicate his life to the work of Holocaust education and advocacy. At the end of his sermon, he talked about a remarkable statue recasting the ancient depictions of Ecclesia and Synagoga (For more on his presentation, watch it here).

The two statues depict Ecclesia, who represents the Christian Church and Synagoga, who represented Judaism, seated with each other, both crowned, sharing each other's sacred texts with one another. This is not the way that Ecclesia and Synagoga have been paired throughout our long difficult history with our Christian brothers and sisters. This sculpture now lives on the campus of the Marist school here in Atlanta because of the courageous work of Mr. Murphy. I wonder if this image might be sharing a new expression that we can share with the world moving forward, an additional clarion call for the sacred work of Holocaust education and advocacy – "Let me share with you."

Let me share with you our story
Let me share with you our pain!
Let me share with you our journey!
Let me share with you our hope!

Maybe we can even shorten it to 'Share with me!" inviting those who might be germinating ill will to open and explore the true root of their own pain.

As the last of the Holocaust survivors leave our earth, they entrust with us their souls, their memories, their struggles, and their hope. What we do with precious items will say everything about who we are. It is not a burden but a privilege. To dedicate one's life to such a cause is to sit in the Holy of Holies and speak face to face with God.

May Yom HaShoah open our hearts and make firm our resolve to do the holy work ahead.