Elie Wiesel’s Profound Encounter with the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shapes His Faith After the Holocaust

One night, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel met privately with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and posed a lifelong question: how can one believe in God after the horrors of the Holocaust? The Rebbe’s brief but powerful response deeply impacted Wiesel, influencing his writings and lectures for years.

In a recent Torah portion lesson on Devarim, Rabbi Jacobson explores this historic meeting, revealing insights from Rashi’s commentary on the verse “How can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes alone?” He explains that apostasy, rather than faith, is the heaviest burden a person can carry. Drawing on the teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Rabbi Jacobson shows that doubt and denial often stem from deep sensitivity and fear of disappointment, while choosing faith is a daily act of courage, not naivety or escapism.

The lesson offers a sincere response to those struggling with profound doubts, demonstrating that one can hold open questions yet maintain a sincere, grounded faith. This faith does not avoid pain but finds meaning, purpose, and true inner peace within it.