Eyes to See
Recovering Ethical Torah
Principles Lost in the Holocaust

By Yom Tov Schwarz
Translated from the Hebrew & Edited by Avraham Leib Schwarz
June 2004
Urim Publications
ISBN: 9657108608
502 pages, Illustrated, 6 ¾" x 9 ¾"
$29.50 Hardcover


This book was written with the goal of restoring integrity, compassion, unity and Kiddush HaShem to their central role in the observance of Torah and mitzvos, as Halacha demands. This will serve to correct a number of serious errors and misconceptions of Torah views, values and obligations that resulted from annihilation of nearly all of the great European Torah leaders in the Holocaust.

This destruction left a young generation of bereft and bewildered survivors without the great Torah personalities necessary to educate and impress upon them the absolute centrality of these traditions and laws for correct Torah observance. This book is a courageous call by the author, a leading ultra-Orthodox sage, for fundamental change in the Torah-observant community. In it, the author calls for the abolition of a dangerous new phenomenon - the tendency among various Orthodox groups to establish their own insulated networks of schools and other institutions - because divisiveness and discord are a natural consequence of this factionalism within Jewish society.

He implores Orthodox Jewry to designate a fast day in remembrance of the Holocaust, as indifference to the greatest tragedy in Jewish history can only sow cruelty and breed immorality. The author also calls upon Orthodox Jewry to re-asses the manner in which they relate both to non-religious brethren and non-Jewish neighbors, highlighting the Torah's command that they be compassionate and honest with all people, and that they strive to glorify G-d's name and bring honor to the Torah by the manner in which they behave in even the most mundane of aspects of everyday life.

Contents include: The Unique Importance and Benefits of Unity in Our Generation, The Detrimental Effect of the Holocaust on Our Leadership and National Character, Recapturing the Unique and Extraordinary Aspects of Jewish Charity, The Severity of Sins Committed Against Another Person, Widespread Practices that are Planting Seeds of Cruelty in Our Society, Relations with Non-Observant Jews, Relations with Non-Jews, Rabbinical Leadership: Its Qualifications and Responsibilities, Producing Veritable Torah Scholars and Judges: a Critical Need and How to Help Achieve it, Truth in Torah: Promoting Genuine Sages and Rejecting Substandard Torah Scholarship, What Halacha Says About Torah Study and Parnasah.

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