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This Year Proves That God Exists Even in the Darkest of Times
In 1966, Richard Rubenstein, a theologian grappling with the existential aftermath of the Holocaust, shocked the Jewish world with his groundbreaking work, After Auschwitz. Casting the Holocaust as an anomaly that defied religious faith, Rubenstein challenged the very foundation of traditional Jewish belief, declaring that “God is dead.”
This provocative notion was a radical reinterpretation of the 19th-century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s declaration that “God is dead,” a statement Nietzsche used to express the collapse of traditional values and the erosion of absolute moral certainties in the modern world, resulting from an unprecedented crisis of faith.
For Rubenstein, however, the overwhelming horrors and brutality of the Holocaust — where six million Jews, including one million children, were brutally murdered — made it impossible to believe in an all-powerful, benevolent God who intervenes in history.
Rubenstein argued that if God truly controlled the course of human events, then He must have willed the atrocities of the Holocaust — a concept Rubenstein found morally repugnant. In confronting this terrifying possibility, Rubenstein aimed to expose what he saw as the hidden, darker implications of classical Jewish theology. He believed he was stripping away comforting illusions and forcing a confrontation with the unsettling truth that, at best, God is not as we have traditionally understood Him to be.
Although, despite his radical rejection of the traditional God of history, Rubenstein, a paradoxical figure in post-Holocaust theology, never entirely abandoned the concept of the divine. He continued to wrestle with a profound sense of loss as he searched for meaning in the very mystery he had declared dead.
One traditional theologian who challenged Rubenstein’s view was Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, a leading Orthodox thinker, who offered an entirely different perspective. Rabbi Hutner acknowledged the profound mystery of the Holocaust but insisted that it was unequivocally part of the divine plan, which we, as limited human beings, cannot fully grasp.
Rabbi Hutner spoke of the Holocaust as a form of Chevlei Mashiach — the birth pangs of the Messiah — emphasizing that Jewish suffering has always preceded periods of redemption. For him, the Holocaust was a call for Jews to deepen their faith and commitment to the Torah, even when confronted with such overwhelming tragedy, in the belief that “in the concealment itself lies the pathway to redemption.”
This contrast between Rubenstein’s and Rabbi Hutner’s approaches to the Holocaust highlights the profound tension between what is hidden and what is revealed — a theme central to Parshat Nitzavim, where Moses declares, “The hidden things (nistarot) belong to God, but the revealed (niglot) things belong to us and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:28).
This critically important statement of faith underscores the duality that defines our relationship with the divine: certain aspects of God’s will and the workings of the universe remain concealed, always beyond human comprehension, while others are revealed to us, guiding our actions and responsibilities.
This tension between the hidden and the revealed becomes even more complex when we consider that what we think of as hidden may one day be revealed, and what we perceive as revealed may ultimately prove to be beyond our understanding — hidden in a more profound sense.
In the unfolding of history, certain events or truths that seem clear and understood at one moment can later become obscured by new revelations or more profound mysteries. Conversely, the hidden may reveal itself suddenly — and when that rock is lifted, what we find underneath may shock us to the core.
This dynamic has been playing out in stark relief over the past year as we consider the events of October 7th and what has happened since. One horrific day and its aftermath have brought to light the deeply entrenched hatred against Jews and Israel that was somehow previously hidden from — or ignored by — much of the world. We simply did not know the breadth and depth of Jew hatred, and now we know.
At the same time, the full extent of how the events of that terrible day came to pass and the forces at play that allowed it to happen remain shrouded in mystery, leaving us grappling with the limits of our understanding as we try to make sense of what has been revealed and what remains concealed.
Some might react to the revelations of deep-seated animosity and antipathy towards Jews and Israel, particularly by those we thought to be considered and intelligent, in much the same way Rubenstein responded to the horrors of the Holocaust — with a profound sense of despair and disillusionment.
When the spotlight catches these dreadful sentiments and their cheerleaders, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, as if the very foundations of our moral understanding have been shaken. We could succumb to the darkness of these revelations, questioning the trust and values we once held dear.
Or, we could take a different approach and say that God has done us a great favor by arming us with previously hidden information that we now need to effectively navigate the complexities of our world. Though painful and disturbing, this knowledge is crucial if we are to find a path forward. The nistarot have evolved into niglot, and can serve as a guiding light, helping us to better understand the challenges we face so that we respond with greater clarity and purpose.
Most importantly, in the face of these revelations, we must not retreat into despair, but rather, we must rise to the challenge that these newfound niglot present. The exposure of hitherto hidden hatred and animosity is both a warning and a call to action. It reminds us that while nistarot belong to God and may remain beyond our grasp, niglot are ours, and we must confront and address them.
Let us thank God that we have been given the clarity to see the world as it truly is, without the comforting illusions that once shielded us from harsh realities. This clarity, painful as it may be, should not be seen as a burden—but rather as a source of empowerment, equipping us to act with purpose and determination. It demands that we respond—not with fear, but with faith; not with resignation, but with resolve.
As we move forward, guided by what has been revealed to us over the past few months, let us deepen our commitment to our values, strengthen our communities and Jewish identity like never before, and work untiringly to ensure that the lessons of the past and the truths of the present propel us towards a future that is better for us all.
In this way, we will transform the darkness of recent revelations into a beacon of hope, ensuring that the path we forge for ourselves is illuminated by truth, faith, and a commitment to God’s purpose that still guides us — even through the most difficult of times. God is not dead. He is very much alive.
The author is a rabbi in Beverly Hills, California.
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Federal Judge Dismisses Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Harvard University
Illustrative 373rd Commencement Exercises at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 23, 2024. Photo: Brian Snyder via Reuters Connect
Harvard University has secured a major legal victory against one of the many lawsuits it has faced over its alleged mismanagement of campus antisemitism after the Oct. 7 massacre.
On Wednesday, a judge dismissed a suit in which ten Harvard alumni alleged that the university had cheapened their degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year by giving anti-Zionist protesters free rein to promote antisemitism, terrorism, and the destruction of Israel.
Filed in a Massachusetts federal court in Feb. 2024, the complaint claimed that Harvard has breached an informal but binding agreement to preserve the institution’s prestige in perpetuity and thereby protect alumni’s investment in a Harvard degree. That compact was violated, the former students alleged, by Harvard’s failing to correct a noxious campus environment and a negative perception of the university which has caused potential employers and prestigious law firms to reject job applicants who carry any affiliation with it.
District Court Judge George O’Toole Jr. — appointed to bench by former president Bill Clinton in 1995 — disagreed with their argument, however, ruling that they presented no evidence which proves that the university’s policies injured them personally.
“The plaintiffs do not currently attend Harvard, nor are they employed by Harvard,” wrote the O’Toole, who is an alumnus of Harvard Law School (HLS). “They graduated from Harvard many years before the central events referred to in the complaint. They are not themselves directly affected by Harvard’s recent administrative actions and/or omissions, and consequently they have no cognizable legal injury that could be redressed through this suit.”
Judge O’Toole Jr. was recently involved in another high profile legal fight. Earlier this month, he temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to restructure federal government by shrinking its workforce, a decision he walked back six days later when he ruled that the parties who challenged the initiative lacked standing. The highly regarded jurist’s career has seen him render rulings on a range of matters, from the criminal investigation of the Boston Marathon Bombing to a defamation suit filed against Barbara Walters by an alleged former associate — a claim he dismissed.
Following the decision, Harvard University said it is “committed to ensuring our Jewish community is embraced, respected, and can thrive at Harvard, and to our efforts to confront antisemitism and all forms of hate.”
Harvard recently settled two antisemitism lawsuits, which were merged by a federal judge in November 2024, in Jan. The agreement, coming one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump — who vowed to tax the endowments of universities where antisemitism is rampant — prevented a prolonged legal fight that would have been interpreted by the Jewish community as a willful refusal to acknowledge the discrimination to which Jewish students are subjected.
According to details of the settlement disclosed by the university, Harvard will add the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism to its non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies (NDAB), recognize the centrality of Zionism to Jewish identity, and explicitly state that targeting and individual on the basis of their Zionism constitutes a violation of school rules.
Harvard’s legal counsel has more litigation in its future, however, as a case brought by Harvard graduate student Shabbos Kestenbaum, who has made similar claims as the groups which agreed to settle their cases, is still pending. Kestenbaum was a member of one of those groups, Students Against Antisemitism (SAA), but declined to be a party to the settlement due to this belief that a public trial will fully reveal the extent of Harvard’s alleged transgressions and result in its being held accountable for alleged failing .
Follow Dion J. Pierre @DionJPierre.
Reporter Debbie Weiss contributed to this story.
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Most Gazans Reject Hamas Rule and Doubt Its Ability to Govern: Poll
Trucks carrying aid move, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hussam Al-Masri
Most Gazans reject Hamas rule post-war and question its ability to govern as tensions rise and efforts continue for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, according to a new poll.
The Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP), a Palestine-based independent research institute, conducted a representative poll in Gaza on January 22, revealing that only 6% of Gazans prefer Hamas to rule post-war, while just 5.3% would vote for the group in future elections.
As perception of Hamas in the Gaza Strip remains negative, the survey found that 70% of respondents believe the terrorist group lacks the ability to govern, and only 12.4% expect it to remain in power post-war.
Meanwhile, Gazans have shown increased support for Fatah rule, the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s ruling party, after the ceasefire, with 60% favoring its leadership.
Respondents show increased support for Fatah rule in the Gaza Strip post-ceasefire. Photo: Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP)
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists started the war in Gaza when they murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in neighboring Gaza.
Last month, both sides reached a ceasefire and hostage-release deal brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar.
According to ISEP’s recent poll, 67.9% of Gazans credit US President Donald Trump for the success of the ceasefire deal, with Qatar following behind. Most respondents also believe the ceasefire will hold and lead to reconstruction efforts, with over 60% highly confident in its stability and another 30% considering it somewhat secure.
Two in three (67.9%) respondents in the Gaza Strip credit Trump for the success of the ceasefire deal. Photo: Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP)
Under phase one of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages, including eight who are deceased, in exchange for Israel freeing over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, many serving multiple life sentences for terrorism-related offenses, and withdrawing troops from some positions in Gaza.
So far, 29 Israeli hostages – plus five Thais – have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, with the bodies of four more hostages, initially due to be handed over on Thursday, still to come.
The initial phase of the ceasefire deal is set to end on Saturday, while negotiations for the second phase, aimed at securing the release of remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, are ongoing.
ISEP’s survey found that 89% of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip lack the means to rebuild their lives after the war. Housing support was cited as the most helpful form of aid, with one in three also emphasizing that housing and shelter should be the priority of reconstruction efforts.
One in three (30%) respondents believe that housing and shelter should be the priority of rebuilding efforts. Photo: Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP)
After the war, Gaza’s future remains uncertain, but Israel has ruled out any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, Hamas says it does not necessarily need to stay in power but insists on being consulted.
With the exception of Israel, most Arab states have rejected Trump’s plan to “take over” Gaza to rebuild the war-torn enclave, while relocating Palestinians elsewhere during reconstruction efforts. Trump has called on Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states to take in Palestinians from Gaza after nearly 16 months of war between Israel and Hamas.
Middle Eastern leaders, expected to bear much of the financial burden of rebuilding Gaza, have struggled to propose their own plan but insist on a role for the Palestinian Authority, while also advocating for a two-state solution.
This week, former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, now the opposition leader in Israel’s parliament, proposed “The Egyptian Solution” as his alternative plan for Gaza’s reconstruction after the war. The proposal, which suggested Egypt administer Gaza for 8-15 years in exchange for canceling its $155 billion external debt, was rejected by Cairo.
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‘The View’ Co-Host Sara Haines Honors Murdered Bibas Family While Whoopi Goldberg Accused of Generalizing Their Murder
Kfir Bibas. Photo: Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
During Tuesday’s episode of the ABC talk show “The View,” co-host Sara Haines drew attention to murdered Hamas hostages Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas right before co-host Whoopi Goldberg attempted to generalize their barbaric murder and compare it to all human suffering.
“These two little boys, they became, with their mother, kind of the symbol of October 7th,” Haines said, during the Hot Topics segment of the show. She talked about Hamas having a staged ceremony to show off their dead bodies in the Gaza Strip during handing them over to the Red Cross, as part a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and how the US-designated terrorist organization originally gave the incorrect body to Israel for Shiri, who was 32 at the time of her death.
Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 10 months old, along with their mother were brutally murdered in November 2023 by Hamas terrorists during their captivity. Shiri and her two red-headed young bodies were held hostage in the Gaza Strip for more than 500 days before Hamas returned their bodies to Israel. They were buried on Wednesday. Forensics examination of their bodies revealed that Hamas murdered Ariel and Kfir “were their bare hands” and afterwards “committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities.”
Haines concluded her remarks during Tuesday’s episode of “The View” by acknowledging the 63 hostages who are still in Gaza, after being abducted by Hamas-led terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. “There are 60 more remaining hostages in Gaza,” she said. “They’re still there and our hearts are with Israel and the families. This is the most heart-wrenching part for everything.”
Haines’ co-hosts on “The View” include Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
After Haines concluded talking about the Bibas family and the remaining hostages, Goldberg made comments that equated the savage murder of the Bibas family by a worldwide recognized terrorist organization to suffering people are experiencing around the world, including in Russia. Her remarks, and the fact that she draw attention away from the murder of the Bibas family, have sparked outrage from Israel supporters, including celebrities, and pro-Israel organizations.
“There is nothing positive about any of this,” Goldberg said. “For everyone who’s affecting, our hearts should go out. All the families, all the children. This is horrifying. I find it so shocking that when we talk about things like Hamas, and I look at where we’re putting our energy, I think – well, who are the bad guys now?”
Her fellow co-hosts all replied at the same time saying Hamas is “the bad guy.” Goldberg quickly cut in and said, “Hamas is the bad guy, but what about Russia? Is Russia not bad with all they’ve been doing?” Hostin then reminded her co-hosts that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against him, which the US House of Representatives has condemned.
“But there’s no equivocation of Netanyahu and Hamas,” Griffin reminded the ladies. “Hamas needs to be destroyed.”
Goldberg ended the Hot Topics segment of the show saying: “My point is, when do we stop saying, ‘It’s these folks, or these folks.’ When do we say, ‘Here’s the enemy. This is what the enemy does. This is what the enemy does to children in Africa, all over the world, because they’re the enemy.’ That’s what the enemies do. And why are we supportive of enemies? What’s happening? I don’t always get it right and they don’t always get it right. But we’ll figure out the answers at some point, I’m sure.”
Creative Community for Peace, a pro-Israel entertaining industry organization, said it is “deeply troubled” by Goldberg’s remarks. Others called her “despicable” for comparing “the depravity of Hamas to Russia,” for “marginalizing” the murder of the Bibas family, and needing to “generalize and universalize Jewish suffering,” as said by comedian and musician Ami Kozak. American actress Patricia Heaton, who is best known for her role on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” also blasted Goldberg in a post on X.
“Why do people like Whoopi seem to need to neutralize the murder of the Shiri, Ariel and Kefir [sic] by claiming ‘this is about everyone who is affected,’” Heaton wrote. “Isn’t that what you railed against when people said ‘all lives matter’ in response to BLM [Black Lives Matter]?” “Why do they have such a difficult time acknowledging that these babies were strangled to death because they are Jewish? It’s not the same as Gazan casualties of war. Not at all.”
“How dare you both-sides the Bibas family and use them as a prop in your dangerous propaganda narrative,” Jewish award-winning radio talk show host and columnist Dahlia Kurtz wrote in a social media post addressed to Goldberg. “A mother and her babies were — barbarically — executed by a terror organization. Then held in captivity for ransom. This while her husband and the babies’ father was held hostage — and savagely tortured. Three generations of the innocent Bibas family were murdered. Plus their beloved dog. This is not about everyone’s suffering. This is about the Bibas family.”
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