Search For Meaning In Elie Wiesel's Night

In the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, the prisoners in the concentration camp must choose between adhering to traditional religious practices and doing as much as they can to survive. This creates a moral dilemma for many Jewish prisoners who wish to survive while also staying true to their beliefs. In Judaism Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. All healthy Jews over the age of thirteen must fast to receive forgiveness from God. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year; therefore, it is the day that Jews should adhere to the most. Not being able to celebrate Yom Kippur to some Jews can be seen as another way for the Nazis to take away the identity and the culture of the Jews. In the novel Wiesel states “We needed to show God that even here, locked in hell, we were capable of singing His praises” (69). Some Jews might find hope and comfort in adhering to old traditions of their religion and may even be strengthened by it. However, I believe that there are special circumstances that deserve to be overlooked. …show more content…
Technically only healthy people should fast and it can be argued that no one in a concentration camp is healthy enough to deprive themselves of food. In the camp the Jews get so little food it is like they are fasting everyday. Wiesel states “To fast could mean a more certain, more rapid death” (69). Many if not all of them would be considered underweight and malnourished and fasting would kill them much faster. A person should only fast if they have been eating regularly and the prisoners need all the food they can

Show More

Related Documents: Search For Meaning In Elie Wiesel's Night

Themes In Night By Elie Wiesel