Parashat Ha'azinu: Spaces in the Song and the Defeat of Evil

In the Parashat Ha'azinu, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik explores the profound connections between biblical narratives and historical events, particularly focusing on the eerie parallels between the story of Purim and the Nuremberg Trials. On October 16, 1946, Julius Streicher, a Nazi leader, was executed, infamously shouting "Purimfest 1946," alluding to the Jewish holiday of Purim. This holiday commemorates the defeat of Haman, a Persian vizier who sought to annihilate the Jews, and his ten sons' subsequent execution. Rabbi Soloveichik draws a striking comparison between Haman and Hitler, noting that ten of Hitler's "spiritual sons" were hanged at Nuremberg, with Hermann Goering committing suicide before his execution. This historical echo underscores the enduring theme of the Jewish struggle against evil and the ultimate triumph of justice.