The Holocaust was a tragedy of the greatest proportion. Our minds can't even begin to relate to the number 6,000,000... And your question is right on target; logically, no faith or tradition can survive such a tragedy. There is no way to rebuild after such destruction.
But the Jew is different. His faith does not depend on things making sense. His belief does not come and go, for it doesn't rely on circumstances or external factors. It is built-in. It's inherently there. A Jew believes.
A Jew realizes that there is much in the world that we do not understand -- mortal creations cannot expect to grasp the ways of their infinite Creator.
A Jew never despairs. He know that unlike the ancient Romans, Greeks, Persians, and the not-so-ancient Nazis -- he is still around to tell the story. He was promised by G‑d that he will always be around. And it is this oath that he holds on to when the times get tough and he is faced with trials and tribulations.
A Jew has faith. He knows that it is often darkest before dawn. He believes that any day the world will one again be filled with light. His nation will be redeemed and return to their homeland in an era of peace, unity, and revelation of G‑dliness. Click here to read all about this anticipated era.
The above only touches on this delicate topic. Click here for a selection of stories and essays about the Holocaust.
Yours truly,
Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar
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