About two years ago, I published the following article. Needless
to add, I still stand behind every word I wrote in it.
https://wingnsonawildflight.blogspot.com/2016/02/as-jew-i-define-myself-in-hebrew-only.html
Recently, as result of my studies towards earning a PhD in Hebrew/Yiddish Literature starting at the end of 19th century through post WWII, I realized, yet again, the need to stress and share with my fellow Jews why I believe it is important that as Jews, we should define ourselves in Hebrew only.
Recently, as result of my studies towards earning a PhD in Hebrew/Yiddish Literature starting at the end of 19th century through post WWII, I realized, yet again, the need to stress and share with my fellow Jews why I believe it is important that as Jews, we should define ourselves in Hebrew only.
As many know, the period I mentioned above also includes one
of the darkest, if not the darkest chapter in our history, the Shoah (AKA
Holocaust). I have resolved that from now on, I will use the Hebrew word Shoah
when I refer to that chapter.
Here are some of my reasons.
The etymology of the word “Holocaust” stems from the ancient
Greek holocaustun “a thing wholly burnt” and Latin holocaustum
origins which later morphed into its Old (12th century) French holocauste
“sacrifice by fire, burnt offering,” and the English “holocaust” forms.
(https://www.etymonline.com/word/holocaust).
According to Morris and Morris, Dictionary and Phrase Origins (1962), in its
original form, a holocaust was a sacrificial burnt offering to pagan gods in
pre-Christian times.”
Sacrificial burnt offerings, as a means to overcome guilt for failing to live according to one or another moral code, is a practice that many cultures adopted, especially in ancient times. Yes, Torah also requires the sinner to bring sacrifice. The only difference, though, between it and other sources, is that in Hebrew, the language of Torah, we do not call it “burnt offering.” The Hebrew term for that practice is referred to as “Offering Korban” (from the word karov – to come close). In the Hebrew/Jewish tradition, the offering of Korban, or sacrifice, according to Rabbi Steven Heil, “is governed by strict regulations, “so that “we tangibly relate to G-d in a true proper way.” The detailed rituals of sacrifices as outlined in the Torah played an essential role in our ultimate way to serve G-d.
Is that how the world and some Jews wish to refer to the untimely death of my young cousins and millions of other innocent Jews, young and old, who were killed by the Nazi war machine? Were they a “burnt offering” of some sort, as the term “holocaust” suggests? Were they even a “korban” for any sins committed?
Shoah, which in Hebrew means “catastrophe,” on the other hand, defines that atrocious episode in Jewish history more accurately. That event was aimed at eradicating our People from off the face of this earth altogether. There was no sacrifice involved here, merely some evil force that played god and decided who should live and who should die. Whichever way one looks at it, it is a “catastrophe.”
Are we, Jews, going to let a term that originated in ancient pagan cultures and has nothing to do with our sad experience, define us?
If other nations, or groups wish to use the term “holocaust” to define efforts to annihilate or slaughter them, let them use it. They are already doing it anyway.
For me, as a Jew, however, there is only one word to describe what happened to my parents and their generation. I call it Shoah.
Sacrificial burnt offerings, as a means to overcome guilt for failing to live according to one or another moral code, is a practice that many cultures adopted, especially in ancient times. Yes, Torah also requires the sinner to bring sacrifice. The only difference, though, between it and other sources, is that in Hebrew, the language of Torah, we do not call it “burnt offering.” The Hebrew term for that practice is referred to as “Offering Korban” (from the word karov – to come close). In the Hebrew/Jewish tradition, the offering of Korban, or sacrifice, according to Rabbi Steven Heil, “is governed by strict regulations, “so that “we tangibly relate to G-d in a true proper way.” The detailed rituals of sacrifices as outlined in the Torah played an essential role in our ultimate way to serve G-d.
Is that how the world and some Jews wish to refer to the untimely death of my young cousins and millions of other innocent Jews, young and old, who were killed by the Nazi war machine? Were they a “burnt offering” of some sort, as the term “holocaust” suggests? Were they even a “korban” for any sins committed?
Shoah, which in Hebrew means “catastrophe,” on the other hand, defines that atrocious episode in Jewish history more accurately. That event was aimed at eradicating our People from off the face of this earth altogether. There was no sacrifice involved here, merely some evil force that played god and decided who should live and who should die. Whichever way one looks at it, it is a “catastrophe.”
Are we, Jews, going to let a term that originated in ancient pagan cultures and has nothing to do with our sad experience, define us?
If other nations, or groups wish to use the term “holocaust” to define efforts to annihilate or slaughter them, let them use it. They are already doing it anyway.
For me, as a Jew, however, there is only one word to describe what happened to my parents and their generation. I call it Shoah.
