Holocaust
Van Leer Institute Series on Ideas: The Triumph of Life
The Triumph of Life is Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era.
Greenberg describes Judaism’s utopian vision of a world created by a God who loves life, who invites humans to live on the side of life, and who enables the forces of life to triumph over death. The Bible proclaims our mission of tikkun olam, repairing the world, such that every human image of God is sustained in the fullness of our dignity. To achieve this ideal, Judaism offers the method of covenant—a realistic, personal, incremental partnership between God and humanity across generations in which human beings grow ever more responsible for world repair.
Greenberg calls on us to redirect humanity’s unprecedented power in modernity to overcome poverty, oppression, inequality, sickness, and war. The work of covenant requires an ethic of power—one that advances life collaboratively and at a human pace—so that the Jewish people and all humanity can bring the world toward the triumph of life.
Choosing Life: On Judaism, Covenant, and the Future of Humanity
An online conversation facilitated by Rabbi Elie Spitz with renowned scholar Rabbi Yitz Greenberg, exploring powerful insights from Rabbi Greenberg’s new magnum opus, The Triumph of Life. Together, they delve into Judaism’s evolving response to modernity, the Holocaust, the founding of the State of Israel, and the emergence of a new era in Jewish thought. Rabbi Greenberg reflects on the covenantal partnership between God and humanity, the central role of human dignity, and Judaism’s enduring call to embrace life and engage in tikkun olam—repairing the world. This intimate dialogue offers a profound and hopeful vision of responsibility, renewal, and the sacred work of shaping a better future.
“Responses to the Holocaust”
1:05
Throughout history, Judaism has responded to tragedy. But the great tragedy in all of Jewish history is the Holocaust. What could possibly constitute a response to the Holocaust? How can Jews respond adequately? Rabbi Greenberg provocatively suggests that we should expect unprecedented innovative responses. The fundamental existence of the Jewish people is at stake.
“The Holocaust: Tragedy and the Search for Meaning”
:53
An unprecedented catastrophe in Jewish history, the Holocaust poses radical challenges to traditional Judaism. Approximately half of the Jews killed in the Holocaust were traditionally observant. Approximately one million children were murdered. Can we explain the Holocaust? Was it a result of our sins? Are there any ways to make sense of such immense tragedy?
“Impact of the Holocaust”
1:12
Rabbi Greenberg explores questions posed by the tragedy of the Holocaust and potential responses.
“Yom HaShoah”
1:01
How can we commemorate the unprecedented tragedy of the Holocaust? Rabbi Greenberg contends that any Holocaust commemoration must cultivate a deep sense of human responsibility.
“The Holocaust and Pluralism”
1:48
Rabbi Greenberg explains the impact of the Holocaust on his theology. He movingly describes his shift from being an Orthodox traditionalist to a pluralist who embraces all Jews.
At approximately 1:05, the speaker changes from Rabbi Greenberg to a Holocaust survivor
“The Holocaust and an Individual Religious Response”
1:34
Rabbi Greenberg shares the impact of the Holocaust on his personal religious life.
The first ten minutes of this lecture are another speaker; Rabbi Greenberg begins to speak approximately ten minutes in.
“Religion and the Ethical Implications of the Holocaust”
1:27
Rabbi Greenberg discusses the ethical and religious implication of the Holocaust and how through the event we see the potential concentrations of power in the twenty-first century.
“Holocaust Theology”
1:32
An exploration of the tension between the fundamental Jewish belief of redemption and the reality of the Holocaust.