The Sunflower : on the possibilities and limits of forgiveness
by Simon Wiesenthal and others
Schocken Books, NY Revised and expanded edition, 1997 ISBN 978 0 805 210 606
Simon nWiesenthal is a Holocaust survivor and well-known as the founder of the Jewish Historical Documentation Centre which, through its investigations, brought more than 1000 Nazi criminals to justice.
In this book, the author relates the story of an encounter he had with while a prisoner in one of the Nazi concentration camps. Simon was taken one day from his work detail to the bedside of of a dying member of the SS. Haunted by the crimes in which he had participated, the soldier, brought up as a Catholic, wanted to confess – and obtain absolution – from a Jew.
Faced with the choice between compassion and justice, silence and truth, Wiesenthal said nothing and left.
Even years afterwards, Simon wondered whether he had done the right thing.
He poses the question to the reader, ‘What would you have done in my place ?’
The situation provokes many different responses, many in the form of questions.
How can one Jew offer forgiveness for all the Jews killed by this one SS soldier ? Is it appropriate ?
Even had he done so, would it have had the desired effect ?
Was it merely the conscience of the SS soldier that needed to be appeased or was it the reality of impending death the motivation ? Or both ?
Wouldn’t the SS soldier have done better to ask forgiveness of the Almighty Himself ?
Surely, forgiveness needs to be sought from and given by the offended party ? Can anyone else act ex parte ?
As a Catholic, wouldn’t a priest have been in a better position to deal with the situation ?
The symposium consisting of many different views from Christians, Jews and others of differing religious persuasions and none, will demonstrate just what a puzzling, ethical dilemma confronted Simon Wiesenthal so many years ago.
Is there a right answer ?