Remember!

[kith_koby]

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Today (Sunday) is the Tenth of Tevet, the day set by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to be the Day of the General Kaddish, for those victims of the Holocaust whose death date was never known, and in memory of all the 6 million Jews who were murdered. This piece, called ‘Kaddish’, by Maurice Ravel, and the accompanying story, are in their memory

Comments

[cmcmck]

Thank you for this- I know not where my relatives lie, nor do I know if any survived. All I have is the city of Riga to remind me of the evil that was done. :o(

[kith_koby]

Indeed. That is exactly what the General Kaddish day is for - a Kaddish is said by family members of the deceased on the yahrzeit, the day of death. With the lack of knowledge of when so many died, the Rabbinate decided to dedicate a day for them all. The Kaddish is one of the most moving prayers, in my opinion - it is meet and just that people were given a time to say it.

[sartorias]

That is a lovely piece of music.

My own favorite for this day of Remembrance can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFDGWtPxPOw

[kith_koby]

Thank you, that is indeed beautiful.

I picked this one not because it's my favorite, but simply because I felt it's the most connected to the day. I don't know about 'favorite' pieces of remembrance music. I don't think these memories are anyone's favorite. Perhaps it is the favored way to inspire remembrance, since that must be done? Does music connect more easily yet also more powerfully than other mediums with this kind of knowledge? It is certainly easier than pictures of the Holocaust, I think. Still, stories (such as the on above, I believe) have their place as well...

As one under the constant Godly commandment to 'Remember; never forget' I find this is a very interesting question.

[sartorias]

That's a very good question, and there is no easy answer. Speaking quickly,(for I have to be on the road soon) and only for myself, I find that music opens the gate to image and emotion, sometimes without pity.

In this case, the violin Nigun causes me to reflect on all the pain that hatred causes, but at the same time, celebrates how a people can transcend hatred, and look up to the infinite mercy.