Notes on Night

1. FAITH

GIVEN ELIE’S BACKGROUND, WHAT ROLE DOES FAITH PLAY IN HIS LIFE?

“Why did I pray? Strange question. Why did I live? Why did I breathe?” pg.4 (14) Prior to the Holocaust, his eviction to Auschwitz, Elie’s faith was sturdy and very much a part of his identity. He longed to live and study the sacred studies of the cabala.

“I believed profoundly. During the day I studied the Talmud, and at night I ran to the synagogue to weep over the destruction of the Temple.”

“One day I asked my father to fine me a master to guide me in my studies of the Cabbala” Both quotes on page 13 - demonstrating, showing his dedication to his faith.

“It was with him (Moche the Beatle) that my initiation began. We would read together, ten times over, the same page of the Zohar. Not to learn it, but to  extract the divine essence from it” yearns to study the traditions, to become a part of the Jewish faith. He loved to feel as though he belonged” Pg. 78

"Oh God, Master of the Universe, in your infinite compassion, have mercy on us … " pg. 20 - This is when the Jewish people reach the ghetto’s.

“Confidence soared. Suddenly we felt free of the previous nights' terror. We gave thanks to God.” pg. 27 - When they first arrive at Auschwitz

WHY DO SOME JEWS LOSE FAITH?

They cannot accept a God that allows such awful things to happen to their people on such a large scale, all because of their religion. They cannot understand why God is punishing them for being Jewish.

“What are you, my God!’ I thought angrily. ‘Compared to the afflicted crowd, procaiming to You their faith, their anger, their revolt? What does Your greatness mean, Lord of the Universe, in the face of all this weakness, this decomposition, and this decay? Why do You still trouble their sick minds, their crippled bodies?” - Accusing God of creating this inhumanity. Believes that God would intercept if he was at all Devine and mighty.


Why does elie become god’s accuser?

There are many references to faith,...