One of the most profound things that my friend said (after nearly dying countless times during the Holocaust) was included in his last book “The Failure of Man and the Enigma of God’s Silence”:
“The Holocaust was actually the destruction of the exile, and just for a moment it made it possible to correct the practice of seeking protection of the other nations. Instead this correction brought about the establishment of a Jewish State. This theory is based on the prophecy of Isaiah (54.8): “In slight anger, for a moment, I hid My face from you, but with kindness everlasting I will take you back in love, said the Lord your Redeemer.”
“One can only hope that we learned from the Holocaust tragedy, and that the Jewish people will never again be caught unprepared for any eventuality, and will maintain unity, which gives us strength.”
That is what Moshe told me when I asked him what was the lesson of the Shoach was, and would he go through it again. Not surprisingly, Israel has become too dependent on the US and will shortly be forced to deal with Iran in the harshest way. My prayer is that they remember that it is truly just them and God, and not the US. The US, or for that matter, any of the 70 nations have tried to make Israel dependent on them. Moshe spent a lifetime understanding why it should never happen again and that they are truly alone except for God’s Mighty Hand. You can access all of his books at Amazon or the other book sources. Just query Dr. Moshe Avital. BTW, Krakowiec is about 175 miles from Bilke (Driving distance), and in the same Oblast. So the Gentlemen might have been in the same cattle cars at some point. Moshe was in 6 camps and liberated at Buchenwald, I believe. He was sent to France after liberation for rehab.
What a friend you have in Moshe! I can tell you treasure that friendship, and rightly so. His words are wise, and hard earned (understatement!).
One of my oldest and dearest friends is the son of Holocaust survivors. He is a medical doctor and has dual US/Dutch citizenship and has humbly done much good in this world.
I thank you for the book references. Most sincerely! And for your post, with which I concur. I could tell a story or two of my own, but will save them.
And now I am off to Amazon.