Making Fun of Hitler

Nazis have played a prominent role in Mel Brooks’ comedy. His first major film, “The Producers” was a comedy movie about the Nazis. He said that making fun of Hitler robbed the despot of his power and symbolism. While humor is one way to take down formidable and evil people, comedy can also erode our respect for all political leadership.

Of course, humor is as old as the Torah. In Parshat Balak, the pagan prophet Balaam was twice called by King Balak of Moab to curse the Hebrews. Balaam asks God’s guidance (yes, our God) and God told Balaam not to go. With the arrival of a second request from Balak, the prophet asked again—this time God permits Balaam. Perhaps God was being facetious, and Balaam couldn’t navigate the mixed messages. He saddled up his ass to attend to Balak. Teasing Balaam, God sends an angel to block his way. The donkey sees the angel, but Balaam does not. Biblical hilarity ensues when the donkey effectively calls Balaam an ass. When the humor ended and Balaam stood at Balak’s side, Balaam offered a blessing for the Hebrews.

Making fun of political and religious leaders is a comedy staple these days. The more horrible the leader, the greater the resource for entertainment. Late-night television hosts skew politicians, both the ones they favor and despise.  A pre-pandemic study by the Pew Research Center found that 61% of young people regularly or sometimes learn campaign information from comedy television. Many have shifted to TikTok where news reporting is often in the form of humorous skits and satire.

The most potent humor is based on facts, reimagined or refashioned with absurdity. As a manner of political discourse, these jokes rob powerful people of their authority and respect. Yet, political satire often gives way to comic cruelty.

How can we understand humor in a time of existential threats? Comedic relief is an off-ramp for the tension we feel watching the news. Humor is a way of deflating the stress expanding inside us. Comedy is a necessary tool to cope with a seemingly insane world.

At the same time, comedy debases political candidates and world leaders. Political humor reinforces stereotypes such as ageism and sexism. Jokes about our leaders, hone in on character flaws. By focusing on the faults of some, comedy may be damaging our shared perceptions of all elected officials.

Comedy has its place in soothing our psyche wounded by despots and ill-suited politicians. Yet, comedy should not be the only source of information and the sole expression of political yearnings. When we stop laughing about today’s political leaders, we must restore the blessings of balance, truth, and respect in our country.

Rabbi Evan J. Krame