The Nuremberg Trials

The Nuremberg trials were trials to bring the Nazi to justice for their crimes against the Jewish people. They put the twelve most prominent Nazis on trial for the crimes. Most claims were that they were just following orders from their superiors. Hitler did not show up at the trials because he had committed suicide before they took place. The trials not only took place in Germany but in many other countries as well. For example, Adolf Eichmann was found and was found guilty in Argentina.

In December 1942, the Allied leaders of Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union “issued the first joint declaration officially noting the mass murder of European Jewry and resolving to prosecute those responsible for violence against civilian populations,”

1. How many Nazis were put on trial in Nuremberg?
2. Would you believe that they had a choice in their actions prior to the trials?

Kabbalah

Jews believe in Kabbalah which means “to receive.” Kabbalists often use classical Jewish sources to explain and demonstrate its esoteric teachings. These teachings are held by followers in Judaism to define the inner meaning of both the Hebrew Bible and traditional Rabbinic literature and their formerly concealed transmitted dimension, as well as to explain the significance of Jewish religious observances

These four levels are called pardes from their initial letters.

• Peshat (Hebrew: פשט‎ lit. "simple"): the direct interpretations of meaning.
• Remez (Hebrew: רמז‎ lit. "hint[s]"): the allegoric meanings (through allusion).
• Derash (Hebrew: דרש‎ from Heb. darash: "inquire" or "seek"): midrashic (Rabbinic) meanings, often with imaginative comparisons with similar words or verses.
• Sod (Hebrew: סוד‎ lit. "secret" or "mystery"): the inner, esoteric (metaphysical) meanings, expressed in kabbalah.

1) What did Jews use Kabbalah for?
2) Do you think that other religions have their own version of Kabbalah?