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Yad Vashem is open to the general public, free of charge. All visits to Yad Vashem must be reserved in advance.

Religious Observance During the Holocaust

From the beginning of the modern era, the Jewish people have undergone a transformation and the enlightening and secularizing processes have left their mark. Among the Jews of Europe sprung new religious trends that related to the obligation observe the religious laws in a different manner, while there were also many who stopped observing many practical aspects of the law. As a result, even prior to the war, not all of European Judaism adhered, necessarily, to traditional Jewish law. Throughout the period of Nazi rule, the religious Jews endeavored to continue keeping the traditional law, however, with the deteriorating circumstances, maintaining a form of religious lifestyle became a major daily struggle.

The rabbi of the city carrying a Torah scroll on his way to a deportation train. Iasi, Romania, June 1941.
The rabbi of the city carrying a Torah scroll on his way to a deportation train. Iasi, Romania, June 1941.

The rabbi of the city carrying a Torah scroll on his way to a deportation train. Iasi, Romania, June 1941.
Naphtali Lau Lavie discusses faith during the Holocaust

Naphtali Lau Lavie discusses faith during the Holocaust
A Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the Westerbork transit camp, Netherlands, December 1943
A Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the Westerbork transit camp, Netherlands, December 1943

A Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the Westerbork transit camp, Netherlands, December 1943
Samuel David Grossman studying the Talmud in the Lodz Ghetto. Samuel and his wife Chana were murdered in the Lodz Ghetto in 1942.
Samuel David Grossman studying the Talmud in the Lodz Ghetto. Samuel and his wife Chana were murdered in the Lodz Ghetto in 1942.

Samuel David Grossman studying the Talmud in the Lodz Ghetto. Samuel and his wife Chana were murdered in the Lodz Ghetto in 1942.
Jewish man bending over Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto
Jewish man bending over Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto

Jewish man bending over Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto
Dedication of Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto
Dedication of Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto

Dedication of Torah scroll in the Lodz Ghetto
Members of the synagogue choir in the Crakow ghetto 1942
Members of the synagogue choir in the Crakow ghetto 1942

Members of the synagogue choir in the Crakow ghetto 1942