Holocaust survivors, rabbis and laypeople, alike have been perplexed by G-d’s seeming absence during the greatest tragedy in modern Jewish history. Efforts to answer to this vital question eventually became the foundation for an entire theology in Judaism.
While many have abandoned their search for the truth…and even their faith…the quest still continues for understanding as to why this terrible event befell the Jewish community and where G-d was when the Jewish people needed Him the most.
The truth is…G-d was there in more ways than one. Consider the following two points.
Intimate Connection
Man is intimately connected with his Creator. The L-rd formed Him in His image and breathed His breath in him. When He did this, the mental, physical, and spiritual nerve connections between Him and man were completed. Whatever man endured in this life, the L-rd would endure it with him by these connections.
To better appreciate this understanding, consider the role of anesthetic drugs. Ideally, they suppress central nervous system response in surgery patients so they won’t experience the pain of it. The connection between the body and this system is temporarily cut.
The L-rd, however, has no drugs to suppress His connections with us. When the Jews were being betrayed, tortured, starved, beaten and murdered in the Holocaust, G-d was connected to His people mentally, physically, and spiritually…and He felt everything.
If you can fathom being awake during a surgical procedure and feeling every incision made in your body more than six million times…at the same time, you will truly understand that the L-rd is a longsuffering G-d. He felt every single thing the Jews in the Holocaust felt.
Divine Intervention
The L-rd did not merely suffer with the Jews. He also labored to deliver them. He moved upon the hearts of men and women like Irena Sendler, László Michnay, Dr. Dovid Landau , and Jacqueline Birn to deliver His people. Their stories are filled with miraculous circumstances that allowed them to save thousands of lives.
This method of divine intervention is not new in Jewish history. He answered their prayers for rescue through people like Moses, Miriam, and Nehemiah. Entire kingdoms and countries like Egypt, Babylon, Canaan and Nazi Germany were overthrown for their sake. I believe that Moses said it best,
“For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is the LORD our God whenever we call upon Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7)
Conclusion
No person or nation is immune from trial. But despite opinions to the contrary, G-d is with us. He suffers with us and works to save us like He has saved the Jewish community from every single attempt made to annihilate them. In this world and in the World to Come, G-d will always be there. May the following Scriptures keep that promise in your mind always.
“When you pass through water, I will be with you;… For I the LORD am your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” (Isaiah 43:2,3)
“No weapon formed against you Shall succeed, And every tongue that contends with you at law You shall defeat. Such is the lot of the servants of the LORD, Such their triumph through Me —declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego said in reply to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter, for if so it must be, our God whom we serve is able to save us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will save us from your power, O king.But even if He does not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the statue of gold that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18)
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