“The antisemite of our age no longer loathes Jews; he wants Auschwitz.”
— Imre Kertész
Show Notes
Summary
In this conversation, Rabbi Joseph Edelheit and Jason Micheli discuss an article by Alvin Rosenfeld titled Longing for Auschwitz. They explore the importance of language in describing atrocities and the inadequacy of words to capture the horrors of certain events. They also discuss the religious dimension of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the challenges of interfaith dialogue. The conversation highlights the need for self-critical awareness and the dangers of double standards in global attention. They emphasize the importance of confronting history and avoiding mob mentality in order to have meaningful conversations and understand complex issues.
Takeaways
Language plays a crucial role in describing atrocities and capturing the full horror of certain events.
The religious dimension of the Arab-Israeli conflict is often overlooked, but it is essential to understanding the motivations and actions of the parties involved.
Interfaith dialogue faces challenges in addressing the complexities of the conflict and the different perspectives of Jews and Muslims.
Double standards in global attention and media coverage can distort the perception of events and hinder meaningful discussions.
Confronting history and avoiding mob mentality are necessary for understanding complex issues and promoting self-critical awareness.
Longing for Auschwitz