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Elie's Faith in God

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Submitted By CameronIpsen
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“What are you, my God?” These words spoken from the once faithful Jewish boy, Elie Wiesel in his memoir “Night”. A boy that had a strong passion for his God but then begins to question his own reasons. A Kid who valued his religion but then replaces it, yet not entirely forgetting.

Before the events of the Holocaust, Elie devotes his life to his faith. Day and night he spends his time “to discover the essence of divinity” through pray and the teachings of his master that he sought to find himself. When he is questioned with why he prays he answers with “why did I live? Why did I breath?” Elie questions his religion, his belief, and his creed over his life. It’s hard to believe that a kid that cries when he prays can change his view on the matter.

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah at the concentration camp in Buna, Elie is faced with death, which results in questioning God. “What if it really were our last day”. Elie proposes in a fearful and tense tone. The idea of death would concern anyone as well as make you question and reflect back; as for Elie he queries his religion. “What are you, my God?” Plus ”why would I bless Him?” And like Moishe the beadle said, “every question processed a power that was lost in the answer.” As for Elie he concludes with “ I no longer accepted God’s silence.” This phrase is very unlike the Elie we meet at the start. He went from a strong love for his passion in philosophy to a burning disappointment

As we near the end of the memoir, Elie’s confidence in God becomes more apparent. He “no longer believed” in Him but just not in the same way as he once did. “Give me the strength” he asked for. Perhaps this is just a habit but this pray is similar to the one Moishe the Beadle once said. So perhaps its connected to his faithful days in the synagogue, perhaps he still feels that God is still existent however he just doesn’t feel like he is the being that Elie grow up believing he was.

As a boy he was curious about his religion and wanted to know more about life yet as death became reality he grew and started to ask other questions and protest against him. Elie’s whole life change and so did his view of god, he might be the master of the universe but he is not merciful. Death will do a lot more than kill.

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