The Impact of the Holocaust on Jewish Theology

Editor’s Introduction

Editor’s Introduction In the 1960s and ’70s the issue of post-Holocaust theology received a burst of attention. Among the seminal Jewish works on this subject produced in this period were Richard Rubenstein’s After Auschwitz (Indianapolis, 1966) and The Cunning of History (New York, 1975); Emil Fackenheim’s most important contributions, God’s Presence in History (New York, 1970) and the essays collected together in his Jewish Return into History (New York, 1980); Ignaz Maybaum’s The Face of God after Auschwitz (Amsterdam, 1965); Eliezer Berkovits’s thoughtful Faith after the Holocaust (New York, 1973), and his interesting but less influential works, Crisis and Faith (New York, 1976) and With God in Hell (New York, 1979); and three major essays by Yitz Greenberg.1 Taken altogether, these studies produced a body of serious and sustained reflection on this fundamental subject. In turn, these original theological contributions also provoked significant critical responses by a number of Jewish thinkers.2 Over the past twenty-five years, however, interest in this subject, judged by the absence of new ways of considering this basic theological issue, has waned. Jewish thinkers have simply been unable to find original and creative ways to address—to confront—the profound challenges raised by this subject. Given the abiding importance of this topic for Jewish thought—and for Judaism as a living religion—this intellectual gridlock is, at least in the opinion of many reflective individuals, highly problematic. Recognizing this, and with the hope of encouraging new approaches to the subject, the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture funded and organized two conferences on “Jewish Thought after the Holocaust.” The first of these was held in Ashkelon, Israel, in 1999, and the second was held at the same place in 2001. The present volume contains the majority of the papers presented at these conferences.3 As the co-organizer of these conferences (along with Professor Eliezer Schweid of the Hebrew University) I do not want to exaggerate the results they achieved. The key theological problems facing any Jewish (or other) 1 thinker when trying to respond to the Holocaust remain monumental. At the same time, however, the original and erudite essays that make up this collection do help to clarify and advance the fundamental discussion in meaningful ways. They do represent significant contributions on key themes that all students of the subject will benefit from reading, especially because they are not only philosophically and theologically informed but also because many reflect, and draw on, deep Jewish learning not always evident in this area of scholarly concern. Given their many virtues, these essays, considered individually and taken as a whole, deserve a wide and thoughtful readership. It is a pleasure for me to thank the Memorial Foundation and its thoughtful and innovative director, Dr. Jerry Hochbaum, for their material and spiritual assistance. The subject matter of this collection was a controversial one for the foundation to take on, but Dr. Hochbaum never flinched in his support. Financial help was also provided by the Conference on Material Claims against Germany, and we thank the leadership of the Claims Conference most sincerely for this support. Sincere thanks are also owed to Jennifer Hammer, religion editor at New York University Press, whose generous help and support made this publication possible. Closer to home, thanks are due to Ms. Pagiel Czoka, administrative assistant at the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University, who helped in numerous ways with the work that first went into the two Ashkelon conferences and subsequently with the present publication. n o t e s 1. “Cloud of Smoke, Pillar of Fire: Judaism, Christianity, Modernity after the Holocaust,” in E. Fleischner (ed.), Auschwitz: Beginning of a New Era? (New York, 1977), 1–55; “Judaism and History: Historical Events and Religious Change,” in Jerry V. Dillen (ed.), Ancient Roots and Modern Meanings (New York, 1978), 43–63; and “New Revelations and New Patterns in the Relationship of Judaism and Christianity,” Journal of Ecumenical Studies (Spring, 1979), 249–67. 2. Included in this group were, among others, Michael Wyschograd, Robert Gordis,Arthur Green, Jacob Neusner,Arthur A. Cohen, Michael Meyer, and myself. 3. A second volume drawn from the papers given at these conferences centers around the issue of “The Holocaust and Education.” The work is being edited by Professor Jonathan Cohen of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is scheduled for publication in the near future. 2 Editor’s Introduction ...