Night Jewish Tradition Essay, Research Paper
There is a Jewish tradition, honored by the survivors of the Holocaust, to respect the memory of the dead by letting them rest in silence. However, to not talk about the sickening events of the Holocaust is disrespectful to the millions of Jewish people who fell victim to the Nazi camps. As a bearing witness to the Holocaust, Weisel gives his testimony about the crimes he has seen. These statements will bring remembrance for those who died and expose the perpetrators. Perhaps most importantly, it preserves for future generations the memory of what happened, so that it will never happen again. Night did not analyze the whole aspect of the Holocaust, but instead it focused on the experiences of a single victim, Eliezer. Weisel is not a character in the story; instead a boy named Eliezer who represents Weisel narrates the story. By doing so, Weisel was able to distance himself from the actual experience and look in on the story from the outside. Night revolves around Eliezer’s emotional journey from a Orthodox Jewish boy to a corpselike boy who questions the existence of God and the humanity of man.
One question that the Jewish people constantly ask themselves is whether or not they could of escaped the Holocaust had they acted more wisely. In Night, there were many times when the Jews of Sighet had a glimpse of what was in store for them, but chose not to believe it. The Jews are unable to imagine the horrors in the concentration camps due to typical human inability to realize the cruelty of which men are capable.
Even when they arrived at Auschwitz, they continued to believe that it was just a work camp. Until the Jews experience the horrors of Auschwitz, they could not believe the cruelty of men. Therefore, it was very difficult to convince other of the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis.
From the start of the story, Elieser was a sincere Jew who studied Jewish tradition faithfully and believed faithfully in God. Even as the Jews were being deported, they expressed their faith in God to save them from the Nazis. To understand the Holocaust through the eyes of Eliezer, one must follow his path of lost faith in God. At Auschwitz, when he first spotted the furnace pits in which the babies burned, he began to doubt God. Eliezer asked himself, “Why should I bless His name? What had I to thank him for?” Eliezer at this point felt that God betrayed him because God was not there to stop the horrible events. With the lasting impact of that night, Eliezer went on to state, “Never shall I forget that night…which has turned my life into one long night…Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever…that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget this moments which murdered my God…Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God himself.” That night was the turning point of Eliezer’s faith in God. Eliezer told a story where two prisoners were suspected of being involved with a resistance along with a young boy, who was a servant of a resistance member. As the prisoners watched the child strangle on the end of the noose, they began to tear. One man even starts to wonder how God could be present in a world with such cruelty. This was a symbolic enactment of the murder of God. “Where is He? Eliezer asks, “He is hanging
here on this gallows.” In the mind of Eliezer, God does not exist in a world where an innocent child can be hanged on the gallows. Being a witness to the hanging of the child, Eliezer’s faith had fallen to the lowest point. God had been murdered on the gallows alongside the child. At the end of the summer in 1944 brings the Jewish Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. On these special days, Eliezer felt his lost of faith intensify. He could not find any reason to bless God when there was so much suffering. He started to believe that the Jews were not the chosen people, but were the chosen people to be massacred. This denial of faith caused Eliezer to feel alone and on Yom Kippur, when Jews fast, Eliezer ate. In Eliezer’s mind, man has taken the role as God; he determines who lives and who dies. All the prisoners go through Dr. Mengele, Nazi Physician, and he determines who dies, not God. Eliezer has decided that praying for God is foolish because God is not present in the concentration camps. Even a fellow inmate stated, “I’ve got more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He’s the only one who’s kept his promises…” Hitler has taken the place of God, where Hitler has the ultimate power.
Even though, Eliezer has rejected his faith in God forever, he still refers to God’s exsistence when he vows never to forget the Holocaust “…even if I am condemned to live as long as God himself.” Although it may seem that Eliezer is rejecting God, he still cannot get God off his mind. Even though, Night ends with Eliezer being faithless and without hope for himself or for humanity, it is Eliezer’s later belief that there are reasons to believe in God and the in man’s goodness. The fact that he wrote Night shows that Eliezer believes in importance of human life and his own life. Night ‘s existence proves that Eliezer still had some hopefulness after the Holocaust.
Another important theme in Night was if people are exposed to inhuman cruelty, they themselves actually lose a sense of humanity and morality. Through the Nazi treatment of the Jews as less than human, caused the Jews to actually act less than human. An example of this kind of behavior was when some of the deportees, in the cattle car, started to have sex publicly. When you rob people of their homes and treat them like animals, they begin to act like animals. Some of them even beat Madame Schachter in order to quiet her, while others supported the beating. Not only does God fail to save the Jews, the Jews themselves fail to act human. Their acts were all the affects of being treated inhumanly by the Nazis. Eliezer also starts to lose his sense of morals and values, along with his faith. Survival had become Eliezer’s main goal, in a world in which survival is unlikely. He lives only to feed himself. There was a time when Idek beat his father; Eliezer felt no pain or pity. Instead, he was furious at his father for not being able to avoid Idek’s anger. Eliezer also noted that he had seen a 13-year-old boy beat his own father for making his bed improperly. This showed that even the relationship between parent and child grows weak under Nazi tyranny. Other examples of this relationship becoming weaker was when Rabbi Eliahou’s son abandoned him during the evacuation from Buna and when a son beat his own father to death for a crust of bread on the cattle car. These incidents show how inhuman people can get when they are mistreated for too long.
One purpose of Night was to prevent the Holocaust from ever reoccurring. While another purpose was to preserve the memories and traditions of the victims. The last
reason why Night was written was to lessen the guilt he felt over his father’s death. On January 29, 1945, Eliezer woke up to the realization that his father was taken to the crematory. Shamefully he did not cry. Instead, he was relieved. There were times when Eliezer actually thought of abandoning his father, to conserve his strength. When his father was sick, Eliezer brought soup and coffee to him. Although apart of him wanted to keep the food for himself. It was this guilt that drove him to record the events of the Holocaust. He must honor his father’s memory and repay his sacrifice.
Eliezer had been a victim to an atrocious evil. He had lost his faith in God and his faith in man. After seeing what Eliezer saw without hope and faith, he would have been better off dead. His survival was a stroke of luck. At the end, Eliezer looked at himself in the mirror and saw a corpse. While looking at the mirror, he stated, “The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me.” Eliezer thought of himself as another person after the Holocaust. He felt that he had changed from an innocent boy to the lifeless corpse he saw in the mirror. However, when he looked back he realized that he was no longer that corpse who was liberated from Buchenwald. He will forever remember the look of the corpse’s eyes, but he will keep himself separate from that corpse. Only by remembering can the survivors of the Holocaust ensure that this horrible event will never happen again. Night ended with the questions about God and man’s capacity of evil, but with no answers. The responsibility is left to the reader.
Другие работы по теме:
Night Essay Research Paper Chap 1 Which
Night Essay, Research Paper Chap. 1 Which point of view is this story being told by? First person Chap. 2 Describe the conditions of the trains: The trains were crowded with no room to move around. One lady became ill and began to scream Fire. The people on the train tied her up and put a gag in her mouth.
The Lottery Essay Research Paper The LotteryThis
The Lottery Essay, Research Paper The Lottery This story reveals how selfish people can be in the society. In “The Lottery” villagers are an isolated group of individuals who could careless about one another, even their own family members. Although the author doesn’t explain why this village is completely separated from the rest of the world, the story truly reflects our society, that people ignore bad events happening around the world, as long those bad events do not happen to them.
Jewish Societies Essay Research Paper Until the
Jewish Societies Essay, Research Paper Until the late 18th century, The Jewish societies all over the world were treated unfairly. Hatred and discrimination were used against because of their
Plur Essay Research Paper PLURthe land of
Plur Essay, Research Paper P*L*U*R the land of kandykidz, raves & happiness ?Children of the night? children of the night dreding to see daylight it all begins around eleven or
Genocide Essay Research Paper The Germans and
Genocide Essay, Research Paper The Germans and the non-Jewish world treated the Jewish people horribly. They looked for freedom, growth, and a better government after World War I. Instead, Jews became prisoners of their own country in Germany. They were put into concentration camps even though they helped Germany by fighting in World War I.
The Haj Essay Research Paper Leon Uris
The Haj Essay, Research Paper Leon Uris has done an excellent job of presenting the drama covering the events leading up to the German holocaust and the formation of a new Jewish Israel. In Exodus, it is clear to see that Uris sympathizes with the Jewish people. However, he has given an accurate portrayal of the injustices encountered upon Jews throughout history.
Darkness Poem Essay Research Paper As a
Darkness (Poem) Essay, Research Paper As a young girl cries her father dies just another victim of a dark night Darkness creeps and shorten nights with just a glimsp pale light
The Lottery Essay Research Paper At the
The Lottery Essay, Research Paper At the end of “The Lottery,” by Shirley Jackson, Tessie Hutchinson said, “It isn’t fair.” Tessie was correct; the lottery wasn’t fair. Death wasn’t fair, especially if you were the sacrificial lamb for the sake of tradition.”Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon,” took many innocent lives each year since the first settlers.
They Know Essay Research Paper Out of
They Know Essay, Research Paper Out of my love for you is conceived only pain However that gives me some pleasure Your face reflects the night of a full moon
Jewish Essay Research Paper Beowulf EssayThere were
Jewish Essay, Research Paper Beowulf Essay There were many differences between Beowulf the play and 13th Warrior the movie. In the play Beowulf was depicted as a soul warrior who?s strength and ability was
Judiasm Essay Research Paper Judaism is an
Judiasm Essay, Research Paper Judaism is an interesting religion worth looking into for those who are interested in learning about other religions. The majority of Jews accept Christianity,and Jesus Christ.
Economics Of Sex Essay Research Paper This
Economics Of Sex Essay, Research Paper This mini-paper is to study how people of different moral standard choose their one-night-stand partners. At a late stage of this paper, I will state the limitations of this theory.
Dead Poets Society Essay Research Paper 2
Dead Poets Society Essay, Research Paper “It was Mr Keating’s blatant abuse of position as teacher that led directly to Neil’s death.” We are asked to discuss the above statement after watching the movie: “Dead Poets
Judaism Essay Research Paper Judiasm Judaism is
Judaism Essay, Research Paper Judiasm Judaism is all over the world. You can find Jewish people in many countries. They speak different languages and may be of any color. Anybody whose mother is a Jew is considered to be Jewish. Jewish history began over four thousand years ago in the Middle east. This religion is the oldest type of monotheism.
Judiasm Essay Research Paper JUDAISM Judaism is
Judiasm Essay, Research Paper JUDAISM Judaism is all over the world. You can find Jewish people in manycountries. They speak differentlanguages and may be of any color. Anybodywhose mother is a Jew is considered to be Jewish. Jewish history began over four thousand years ago in the MiddleEast. This religion is the oldest typeof monotheism.
Moments Essay Research Paper I know I
Moments Essay, Research Paper I know I said yes, But deep down inside, Divided, Undecided. Days passed. That night, Before the day, Sleepless, Full of thoughts,
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Night Essay Research Paper The NightNight by
Night Essay, Research Paper The Night Night by Elie Wiesel is a story of one of the few Holocausts survives. He and the many others are being persecuted for their religious beliefs. In the Jewish community of Sighet everyone was in disbelief for what was in store for them. Then the acts of cruelty to each other in time of need, to hoping to survive one day to the next.
In The Night Essay Research Paper Listen
In The Night Essay, Research Paper Listen to our loud silent dear God Listen to our cry; We fall to your feet Yet our cries are not heard; We died under fear By your side
Night Essay Research Paper NightBy Elie WieselIn
Night Essay, Research Paper Night By Elie Wiesel In Elie Wiesel’s Night, he recounts his horrifying experiences as a Jewish boy under Nazi control. His word are strong and his message clear. Wiesel uses themes such as hunger and death to vividly display his days during World War II. Wiesel’s main purpose is to describe to the reader the horrifying scenes and feelings he suffered through as a repressed Jew.
Night Elie Wiesel Essay Research Paper NightIn
Night Elie Wiesel Essay, Research Paper Night In the book Night by Elie Wiesel, it talks about the holocaust and what it was like being in it. The Germans were trying to make the German race the supreme race. To do this they were going to kill off everyone that wasn t a German. If you were Jewish or something other than German, you would have been sent to a concentration camp and segregated by men and women.
Poem Do You Know Mom
…? Essay, Research Paper Do you know mom…? Every night before I go to sleep, I think about you, As I lay in bed, alone in my own little world of thoughts, You are there with me “my mother.”
Elie
’s Wiesel And Night Essay, Research Paper Elie’s Wiesel and Night Do you see that chimney over there? See it? Do you see those flames? Over there- that’s where you’re going to be taken. That’s your grave, over there. Haven’t
Book Report On Elie Weisel
’s Night Essay, Research Paper If they would have only listened to Beetle! That was my only thought after reading Elie Wiesel s Night. This graphic story of a fifteen year old boy s life in concentration camps made me realize just how bad Jewish citizens had it during the reign of Adolph Hitler. Women, children, and men of all ages were killed for not being able to work for the Germans.
Jewishness Of Jesus Essay Research Paper Joseph
Jewishness Of Jesus Essay, Research Paper Joseph Foster Humanities 120 November 29, 2000 The Jewishness Jesus Jesus was raised a Jew from the time he was born. All of Jesus? ancestors were Jews. His family followed all of the Jewish customs starting off with his circumcision when he was eight days old (Luke 2:21).
Dawn Essay Research Paper The book I
Dawn Essay, Research Paper The book I read for my book review was Dawn, by Elie Wiesel. This story represents the post WWII struggle of the Israeli freedom fighters ? one young
The Chosen Essay Research Paper THE CHOSENWith
The Chosen Essay, Research Paper THE CHOSEN With dramatic force, with a simplicity that seizes the heart, the chosen illumines- for us, for now- the eternal, powerful bonds of the love and pain that can join a father and son, and the ways in which these bonds are, and must be, broken when the boy has to become a man.
Christianity And Judaism Essay Research Paper Christianity
Christianity And Judaism Essay, Research Paper Christianity is founded on the life and teachings of Jesus, a first century C.E. Jew. Christianity became an independent religion as it spread beyond its Palestinian borders. However, since during its first few decades, it was a sect within Judaism, there must be a relationship of Judaism to Christianity.
Fairy Tale Essay Research Paper TitleFairy Tale
Fairy Tale Essay, Research Paper Title Fairy Tale Author Alice Thomas Ellis Viking, 1996 Eloise: bored and wants someone to appreciate the value of her work and she wants a baby. She makes night-dresses and petticoats for a shop in town. She considers men to be brainless and only good for one thing. Simon and she moved into the woods because she got a lot of money from Max (Clare’s ex-husband).
Jewish Art Essay Research Paper Jewish Art
Jewish Art Essay, Research Paper Jewish Art On many occasions art has the power to tell a story or even express how someone feels. The speaker on Jewish art was very interesting. She translates many
Tradition Roles Essay Research Paper Tradition plays
Tradition Roles Essay, Research Paper Tradition plays an important role in a person’s life as it influences his/her actions and the way he/she thinks. Tradition instinctively shos one how to act, for tradition is merely a routine; something that is done continuously between different time intervals, whether it be a day or years.
Courage Shown In The Book To Kill
A Mockingbird Essay, Research Paper Courage Shown In The Novel Do you think that courage is an important part of a novel? Well in the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, much courage was shown. Courage is
Everyday Use Essay Research Paper Tradition
Everyday Use Essay, Research Paper Tradition: “Everyday Use” and “The Lottery” Essay written by Pia Adams Tradition is an important part of everyone’s life. Some people follow traditions so deeply rooted in their everyday life that they don’t even recognize them as such. Why do you cook rice a certain way? Well, that’s the way Grandma always did it.