Editing The Holocaust (section)

== After the Holocaust ==

==== The Exodus from Russia ====
After the Holocaust, most Chabad chassidim who survived the war events and Holocaust left the Soviet Union for Poland, exiting Russia through Lvov.

From Lvov they continued to various regions in Eastern Europe until they moved to Western Europe under American control and arrived at displaced persons camps in Germany and Austria. Most Anash settled in the Pocking DP camp in Germany and others in additional DP camps.

The Jews who gathered in DP camps received material and spiritual assistance from the Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe, who ensured that chassidim would circulate and awaken the Jewish spirit among the Jews there.

The Frierdiker Rebbe and the Rebbe sent them books and religious articles, as well as minimal kosher food, which they couldn't obtain in the poor conditions that prevailed in the camps.

The activities spread across many areas, and many Jews' Judaism was saved thanks to these activities.

==== Encouragement to Holocaust Survivors ====
Following the Holocaust, the spirits of many survivors and people who lived through the Holocaust's pain fell, and some ceased observing Torah and mitzvos, lo aleinu.

The Rebbe's response to these people is known through a mashal, to a person entering surgery. That person, who understands nothing about medicine, will try to understand the doctors' actions. But when one of the doctors raises his hand to take the knife, that person will burst out and try to prevent the surgery. "How is it possible" - he will shout - "this knife will not only not add to the person's health, but might even kill him and end his already difficult life."

Everyone understands, the Rebbe continues explaining the mashal's point, that this knife is what will save the person now lying on the operating table. It's inconceivable to say the doctor acts out of recklessness and disregard for the patient's actions. So too here, although we don't understand the Holocaust, and we resemble that person trying to understand the doctor's actions. But just as in the mashal, it's clear the doctor knows what he's doing and we trust him, so too Hashem made the Holocaust. We don't know why, but we shouldn't draw negative conclusions from this.