This past Wednesday Mrs. Eva Schloss, Anne Frank’s stepsister, addressed several hundred people in Idaho Falls. It was a remarkable evening, both moving and eye-opening.
One participant asked Mrs. Schloss, a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, what is her response is to those that deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
Her response was curt and to the point: “The Nazis took many photos.”
The Nazi regime was very organized and also quite obsessed with documentation. They went to great lengths to record the atrocities they carried out, whether for their own pleasure or paranoia.
I found this response outstanding. She did not say, ‘Well, I was there so it must have happened.’ This, of course is true as well. But there is an even better source of testament to the genocide.
The Nazis provided the evidence for their own incrimination.
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As the month of Elul enters and we prepare ourselves for the High Holidays, we wonder what actions we must take.
The Chassidic Masters compare the month of Elul to the time of year when a business owner takes stock of the business. Every once in a while it’s necessary to review the ledger and see which products are profitable and which aren’t.
In similar fashion, Elul is the time to take spiritual stock on our past year; to reflect on our deeds and improve upon them. But, how is one to review our deeds and misdeeds? We are often victims of fading memory. Can we truly recall the detrimental actions that we have taken?
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This week’s parsha Shoftim instructs the Jewish people to establish courts. Judges shall uphold the law.
According to the commentaries this directive is not only relevant to the judicial system. Rather, each of us must appoint our own internal judges to oversee our own lives. We must investigate our lives to constantly determine the worthiness of our actions.
The internal judge has an easier job than the magistrate in the courtroom, who must rely on evidence from others. When it comes to myself, I don’t need witnesses or fingerprints. The evidence is already there. I know what I was thinking and doing.
And, just in case I’m suffering from some amnesia, I can look at the effects of my actions. Where am I today – in a spiritual sense?
One need not be a murderer of millions to be stuck with unwanted evidence. Rather than looking to others who may be falling short, it’s time to remember that we have left our own trail of evidence. Be it broken friendships, missed opportunities, violated promises, hurtful words or lapses in shul attendance – they all leave their mark.
The evidence is there.
The good news is that G-d has given us a golden opportunity to rewrite history. If we take stock and make amends, the evidence will be completely wiped away.
Let’s enter the High Holidays on a high note, without any baggage.