“When people claim that you don’t exist or that what you are saying is unreliable without supporting their claim with clear evidence, that is a sign of your greatness.”
As explained there in relation to the original doubts over the authenticity of the Anne Frank diary, since the evidence as to the real author was well established, these doubts were only a further sign of her greatness.
Power of Hiding
The second thing that we said needs to be explained is the power of hiding. In the “game” it was deemed too powerful to be able to hide, so an additional rule was added.
There is a lot that a Jewish educator can speak about in relation to hiding. The suggestion is to begin by speaking about the hidden nature of the diary itself. To quote:
“The transition from writing one’s most intimate thoughts to publishing them publicly can be understood more profoundly in light of a baffling statement made by the sages in the Talmud. The sages state that God has “outer chambers” and “inner chambers.” In God’s outer chambers, they explain, He demonstrates His joy, as described in the verse, “might and joy are in His place,” while, in His inner chambers, we find that, “In secrecy, My soul weeps.” God weeps in secret over the exile and torment of the Jewish people. Similarly, the ultimate purpose of publishing intimate and private thoughts, written in a state of tears, is to turn them into a source of empowerment and joy, touching the hearts of many in a way that will strengthen and elevates them, (just as God’s secret tears will eventually be revealed to bring us comfort.)”
When Two Become One
Before we said, there were two approaches. Traditional Holocaust education, and the second approach we are now presenting. But as a result of reading the above paragraph we begin to appreciate that we are not speaking of two approaches at all.
Definitely a great deal of weeping comes to a sensitive reader who reads Anne Frank’s diary, and other depictions about the Holocaust. But whereas God also weeps in secret over the exile and torment of the Jewish people, our second approach is to appreciate the great joy and light that this lofty soul brought to the world. Like the hidden-revealed nature of her diary itself, the story of Anne Frank is a lesson in both the power of hidden tears and revealed joy.
This is our final thought. That from the great power of hiding in tears – the inner reason why Anne Frank’s ability to hide was deemed “too powerful” – the collective Redemptive of the Jewish people in joy results. Although Anne didn’t live to see the publication of her diary, as we see from the many people all over the world that continue to write Anne Frank letters, she is still here among us, inspiring us to think and feel; helping to redirect our personal tears and pain while in exile to the collective joy that will be experienced with the coming of Mashiach.
We pray that he come soon.
The link to the Rabbi Ginsburgh article once more is here.
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