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THE HOLOCAUST : 20 Photos

#7
this one is cool:

Rsgba.jpg
 
#9
matante said:
Some cool pics though I don't see how they "change the narrative."
Click to expand...

Perhaps only slightly...but what I gained from this perspective was that Jews were not just victims. These pictures reveal a humanity of joy, of life, of a determination to survive and (in the one posted pic here of the Jewish soldier) a willingness to fight for that life.

The traditions of the Holy Days continued on, their observance as important as their lives because it is larger than life itself.

That's what those pictures said to me.
 
#13
P. Aaron said:
Perhaps only slightly...but what I gained from this perspective was that Jews were not just victims. These pictures reveal a humanity of joy, of life, of a determination to survive and (in the one posted pic here of the Jewish soldier) a willingness to fight for that life.

The traditions of the Holy Days continued on, their observance as important as their lives because it is larger than life itself.

That's what those pictures said to me.
Click to expand...

So before you saw these pics you had a very low opinion of the Jews. You didn't think they were willing to fight? I think it goes without saying that they were determined to survive, that they tried to be as happy as possible, (if for no other reason than to make the children feel better, etc...)

My only surprise from those pics is that they had access to a camera in the concentration camps, or that the Nazis taking those pics didn't break up the religious ceremony.
 
#15
matante said:
So before you saw these pics you had a very low opinion of the Jews. You didn't think they were willing to fight? I think it goes without saying that they were determined to survive, that they tried to be as happy as possible, (if for no other reason than to make the children feel better, etc...)
Click to expand...

One of the core essences of Jewish people is the "Shema". It is THE closest held prayer. Shema Yisroel, Adoni Elohanu, Adoni Echad."

Translated it is - "Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is one".

This is the prayer said as the crowing moment in most holidays and is what you would say if you knew you were about to die.

During the Holocaust, Jews would huddle and say the Shema together, morning and night. You better believe they were fighters.

I'm having trouble finding the reference, but there was a man during the Holocaust who before being taken, ripped the portion of the Siddur (prayerbook) with the Shema and put it in his pocket. His coat with the prayer in it was ripped from him at one point before it was his turn in the ovens. I believe he survived because of a malfunction and sometime shortly thereafter, he found the same torn prayer in another article of clothing given to him to keep warm. Unbelievable story.
 
#16
tastybasslines said:
One of the core essences of Jewish people is the "Shema". It is THE closest held prayer. Shema Yisroel, Adoni Elohanu, Adoni Echad."

Translated it is - "Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is one".

This is the prayer said as the crowing moment in most holidays and is what you would say if you knew you were about to die.

During the Holocaust, Jews would huddle and say the Shema together, morning and night. You better believe they were fighters.

I'm having trouble finding the reference, but there was a man during the Holocaust who before being taken, ripped the portion of the Siddur (prayerbook) with the Shema and put it in his pocket. His coat with the prayer in it was ripped from him at one point before it was his turn in the ovens. I believe he survived because of a malfunction and sometime shortly thereafter, he found the same torn prayer in another article of clothing given to him to keep warm. Unbelievable story.
Click to expand...

I find it odd the the closest held prayer doesn't seem to be directed at God Himself, but rather to other people. Or am I missing something. Who/what is "Israel" in that prayer.
 
#18
matante said:
I find it odd the the closest held prayer doesn't seem to be directed at God Himself, but rather to other people. Or am I missing something. Who/what is "Israel" in that prayer.
Click to expand...

The translation I posted is literal.

It's more like..."Praise god, the one and only, and let us all be together in Israel."

There is sort of like this eternal goal to unite all Jews together in Israel at once. As a matter of practice, many Jews, especially those who can afford it, get buried in Israel and it is considered holy to do so. Not sure if that explains it but it's about the best I can do.
 
#19
tastybasslines said:
The translation I posted is literal.

It's more like..."Praise god, the one and only, and let us all be together in Israel."

There is sort of like this eternal goal to unite all Jews together in Israel at once. As a matter of practice, many Jews, especially those who can afford it, get buried in Israel and it is considered holy to do so. Not sure if that explains it but it's about the best I can do.
Click to expand...

Well I figured there was something lost in translation. I liked the literal translation more, even if I wouldn't define it as a prayer. :)
 
#20
I'm not Jewish, but I am very Polish. We did our best to shelter the Jewish people for a long time. Unfortunately the government was in shambles at the time and was easily overtaken once betrayed by Russia during WWII. (note: I do not live in Poland and have never been there, but I have a Polish surname and am somewhat of a history buff)

Also, if anyone doubts the fighting spirit of the Jewish people, I suggest you look into Krav Maga. One of THE most effective hand to hand combat methods ever devised.
 

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