Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks once pointed out an interesting gap in the Hebrew language: there’s no direct word for ‘history.’ Instead, Hebrew emphasizes remembering, captured in the term “Zachor.” This idea runs deep in Jewish teachings, especially in the Torah’s commandments. Two particular commandments stand out: “Zachor et Yom ha Shabbat” – Remember the Sabbath Day, and “Zachor et Amalek” – remember what Amalek did to you. The latter emphasizes the importance of remembering past injustices and the dire consequences of forgetting.
“You shall remember what Amalek did to you when you left Egypt, how he happened upon you and cut off all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary, and he did not fear G-d. So it will be when the Lord your G-d grants you respite from all your enemies around you in the land which the Lord, your G-d, gives you as an inheritance to possess, that you shall obliterate the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the Heavens. You shall not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
You can gain a deeper understanding by listening to an auditory rendition of these verses.
This imperative to remember is not just a spiritual guideline; it is a vital lesson for humanity. The consequences of forgetting are evident when considering figures like Stalin and Hitler or contemporary regimes like The Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Their rise to power illustrates the destructive impact of uncontrolled ambition, manipulation, and cruelty. The Jewish tradition of “Zachor” serves as a crucial reminder that remembering our past is essential to honouring it and protecting our future from similar fates.
Stalin’s Ascent to Power: Unraveling the Machinations of a Dictator
The commandment to remember is not merely an intellectual exercise but a call to recognize the recurring dangers of unchecked power, as demonstrated by figures like Josef Stalin. Stephen Kotkin’s in-depth exploration of Stalin’s life, spanning two volumes, provides a clearer understanding of his rise to power. Kotkin utilizes recently released Soviet archives to shed new light on the dictator’s life.
Contrary to the widely held belief that Stalin had a troubled, abusive childhood, Kotkin presents a more intricate narrative. Stalin’s early education in Catholic schools could have led him to pursue a path as a priest. However, he gravitated toward revolutionary Marxism, ultimately becoming an anti-czarist activist. This ideological shift resulted in his exile and imprisonment before the fall of the czarist regime in 1917.
Kotkin’s first volume illuminates that Stalin’s upbringing was not shaped by abuse but rather by his family’s modest means, which influenced his Catholic education. Although he had the potential to become a priest, Stalin’s fascination with Marxist ideas set him on a different path. By the time of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, he had already been exiled and imprisoned five times by the Czarist police.
Once Lenin came to power, Stalin’s political rise was swift. As Secretary-General of the Communist Party, he took advantage of Lenin’s incapacitation to tighten his grip on power, eliminating rivals and becoming a ruthless autocrat. Stalin’s control over the Communist Party and the Soviet Union was built on manipulation, fear, and violence. His policies, particularly collectivization, led to widespread poverty and the catastrophic Holodomor famine. Kotkin’s meticulous research explains how Stalin became one of the most brutal leaders in history.
These accounts of Stalin serve as a reminder of the Torah’s commandment to remember Amalek, as Stalin’s methods echo similar brutality and disregard for human life. The importance of “Zachor” comes into focus as we reflect on how forgetting history allows such figures to rise.
The Nazis’ Ascent: Hitler’s Chilling Path to Totalitarian Rule
Just as Stalin’s brutality should never be forgotten, the rise of Hitler offers another chilling reminder of what can happen when we ignore the past. The PBS documentary “Rise of the Nazis” provides a vivid account of Hitler’s rise in Germany, showing how a liberal democracy in 1930 transformed into a dictatorship under Hitler by 1934. Hitler, alongside key figures like Göring and Himmler, seized control of national institutions, marking the end of democracy in Germany.
The documentary traces Hitler’s early efforts to gain power, including the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, which led to his imprisonment. It was during this time that Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, promoting twisted ideas of racial inequality and Aryan supremacy—ideas that would shape the horrors of Nazi Germany.
One particularly gripping part of the documentary is the story of Hans Litten, a German lawyer who stood up to Hitler in court. Litten’s bravery exposed Hitler’s violent tendencies, but he paid a heavy price, ending up in Nazi imprisonment and torture. Another key event is the Night of the Long Knives, where Göring and Himmler orchestrated the murder of Ernst Röhm and his stormtroopers. The lesser-known story of Joseph Hartinger, a prosecutor who tried to expose Nazi atrocities, is another chilling reminder of the regime’s moral bankruptcy.
The documentary presents a grim portrayal of how Hitler and his allies prepared the way for one of history’s most tragic periods. It serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of freedom and the swiftness with which authority can become corrupt. This reminder resonates strongly with the Torah’s command to always remember those who prey on the weak.
China Undercover: Unveiling Oppression and Surveillance
As we look to modern times, PBS’s China Undercover brings to light the disturbing reality faced by the Uyghur minority in China’s Xinjiang province. The documentary sheds light on the Chinese Communist Party’s oppressive surveillance state, which uses facial recognition and other invasive technologies to monitor and control Uyghur communities.
The level of surveillance in Xinjiang has led to comparisons with George Orwell’s 1984, where privacy and freedom are almost non-existent. The film highlights the worldwide concern over these human rights violations and emphasizes the importance of the international community taking action.
In a world where privacy is increasingly threatened, China Undercover reminds us that protecting fundamental human rights must remain a priority. The story of the Uyghurs serves as another contemporary example of the Torah’s commandment to “remember” – not just for the sake of the past, but to ensure justice and protection for the oppressed today.
Remembering History for a Safer Future
As we think about figures like Stalin and Hitler and current issues like the persecution of the Uyghurs, it becomes clear how vital it is to learn from our past. History teaches us that unchecked power and a lack of moral responsibility can lead to tremendous suffering.
The Jewish concept of “Zachor” reminds us to stay alert against threats to justice and human dignity. While the Torah’s command to remember Amalek is specific to Jewish tradition, its broader message encourages all of us to defend justice—not out of a desire for revenge, but to protect those vulnerable and create a kinder world.
Remembering isn’t just a passive act; it’s a call to action. It inspires us to promote fairness, equality, and empathy. When we remember, we apply those lessons to help build a brighter future for everyone, no matter their background or beliefs.
