Re: Yom Ha'Shoah

In article <7hgm145nm4hu76ub77jmb9tv8t96gqnhke@xxxxxxx>, Yisroel Markov <ey.markov@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
On Thu, 1 May 2008 21:02:34 +0000 (UTC), backon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx said:

In article <5ksj14trk66si6bdboalvfc327vo7555mu@xxxxxxx>, Yisroel Markov <ey.markov@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:43:04 +0000 (UTC), backon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx said:


Thursday is Holocaust Rememberance Day (YOM HA'SHOAH).
Testimony from Rabbi Levertov (Schindler's List).

http://www.freewebs.com/clwshrink/testimonyinenglish.htm

It's very moving and powerful.

There are people who are concerned that the Rememberance Day violates
the injunction against explicit mourning in the month of Nisan. Is
there a halakhic answer to these concerns?


The Israeli Rabbinate made the 10th of Tevet the official Holocaust
Rememberance Day.

As the Aruch haShulchan ORACH CHAYIM 429 # 3 explains: due to the
fact that the Mishkan (Tabernacle in the desert) was dedicated in
the month of Nisan (and the Princes of the Tribes offered sacrifices
during the dedication) the post-talmudic Messechet Sofrim (written
by the Savoraim 100 years after the fixing of the talmudic text by Ravina
and Rav Ashi) [last chapter] states that one doesn't say "tachanot"
or have public fasts during the month of Nisan, nor does one eulegize the
departed (at the cemetary).

The Beit Yosef (TUR OC 429) indicates that only public fasts aren't
permitted by private ones are and this is brought down by the Beit
Yosef (as the Mechaber in Shulchan Aruch OC 429:2. It's only the Rema
doesn't even permit private fasts (though the Magen Avraham there
disagrees).

If you see how Yom haSho'ah in Israel is "celebrated" there is **NO**
public fasting nor is there "hesped" (eulegy) in terms of what's
customarily done at the cemetary.

In light of what happened 65 years ago, having a Holocaust Rememberance
Day in Nisan isn't the worst thing on earth especially as the first mention
of the prohibition of eulegy and fasting is in the post-talmudic Messechet
Sofrim.

It would have been better to have the rememberance day in Tevet (December
time) but since the prevailing custom is to have it in Nisan, I have
no problem with this.

Thank you; neither do I.

However, I'm intrigued by the apparent notion that a post-Talmudic
that nevertheless precedes all the rishonim has such a low weight.
Much better, IMHO, to put the emphasis on the fact that observance of
Yom HaShoa does not violate its prohibition.


I agree.

In addition, I see an apparant contradiction with regard to the strictures
of Sfirat ha'Omer which are also in effect in the last 2 weeks of Nisan.
And excuse my cynicism all for a lousy 3500 Jews killed in the First
Crusade in the 11th Century?? And for 6,000,000 we shouldn't have ONE
day of rememberance which violates nothing in Jewish law?

The numbers of my close family (aunts, uncles, grandparents, parent's uncles
aunts and cousins) murdered in the Shoah is 84. If you go back one
generation (e.g. grandparent's parents, uncles, etc.) the number rises
exponentially (250+).

Josh



Yisroel "Godwrestler Warriorson" Markov - Boston, MA Member
www.reason.com -- for unbiased analysis of the world DNRC
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Yom HaShoah
    ... Thursday is Holocaust Rememberance Day (YOM HA'SHOAH). ... the injunction against explicit mourning in the month of Nisan. ... In light of what happened 65 years ago, having a Holocaust Rememberance ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)
  • Re: Yom HaShoah
    ... Thursday is Holocaust Rememberance Day. ... the injunction against explicit mourning in the month of Nisan. ... The Beit Yosef indicates that only public fasts aren't ... In light of what happened 65 years ago, having a Holocaust Rememberance ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)