Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 4/16/2010

Question
Rabbi, forgive my ignorance, but a question arose recently that seemed innocent enough but on further discussion, became more perplexing. As silly as this may seem, and please forgive my ignorance again, do Jews drive German cars or use German products? I seem to remember many years ago, especially among immigrant Jews in the U.S., that this may have been the case.  Is this a valid query or am I doomed to ignorance and damnation for asking such a question as a Gentile?

Answer
Dear Gary,

Thanks for writing and certainly it is an interesting question. You are to be congratulated for thinking and asking questions which is characteristic of Jewish education and our heritage.

To begin with, when I considered a VW Rabbit at the time of the great gasoline shortage - I wrote to the Conservative Movement's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards about the propriety of the purchase - by a Jew and especially by a Rabbi. The answer was stunning: no one including more than a 1000 Rabbis at that time and 800+ congregations had ever raised the issue. Either the answer - pro or con - was obvious or it was not an issue in the minds of most.

Secondly, I knew that German manufactured cars abound in Israel at that time and continues to be the case. They are generally reliable cars, more mph than gas-guzzling cars we were manufacturing at that time and most importantly, the German reparations for Nazi victims could be spent in German Deutschmarks.

Thirdly, the German government has made reasonable efforts to "atone" for the pain and suffering and loss of life and property caused by the Third Reich. While some criticize the amounts which were negotiated, I know of hundreds - possibly thousands - of German youth who as first-generation and now second-generation post Nazi era continue to study and volunteer in Israel as a sense of familial and national obligation.

There are countries who were guilty of overt crimes against the Jews - and millions of other groups - who have continued to deny any responsibility for WWII crimes. They should be known by humanity and publicly identified, but I hesitate to suggest any form of boycott of their products.

As long as there are sensitive people such as yourself who learn history, who understand the effects of
hatred and the need for both repentance and forgiveness by us all - the world may yet heal itself and humanity can redeem itself - for this world and in this life. After that, it is a matter of faith.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov