What Repentance Really Means in Judaism
The pain and tragedy of the Holocaust is so enormous and unfathomable. Why did it happen?
The bottom line is that we do not know why tragedy happens. In Exodus 33:13, Moses asks God, "Make Your ways known to me." The commentators explain that there are "50 Gates of Wisdom," and Moses had reached the 49th Gate. This means that only one aspect of existence was still unknown to him. And which was that? The issue of "why bad things happen to good people." So what was God's answer? "This is the one thing that no human can ever comprehend." (see Exodus 33:20)
However, Judaism provides us with some approaches and insights. Try reading:
• "Understanding the Holocaust"
• "Wrestling with Suffering"
Also, "Why the Jews" is an excellent online seminar examining the deeper roots of anti-Semitism.
→ Ask the Rabbi a Question ← Click here to comment on this article
