One, having experienced a devastating situation, such as war, might relate to the idea that “it’s no good at all to see yourself and not recognize your face. Out on my own, it’s such a scary place” (Efron). Throughout life there are times when we no longer recognize ourselves. One’s identity is more than just physical appearance. In Night by Elie Wiesel, we can see that war not only physically changes a person, but it also shakes a person’s faith, weakens relationships, and loosens his morals; he no longer remembers who he is, who he loves, or in what he believes—he only focuses on survival.…
Sayed Kashua’s collection of newspaper columns, Native, tells the story of Kashua’s life living in a divided Israel as an Arab. The Arab-Israeli conflict occurring in Israel has created unmasked tension between the Arabs and Jews who are sharing the land. This has created a culture of each group wanting to garner support and sympathy for their “side” of the conflict. As an Arab writing to a Hebrew audience, one might assume Kashua uses his newspaper column to promote the Arab side. While Kashua does partake in telling stories pertaining to the conflict, such as stories of the discrimination he faces as an Arab, his stories appear to be of real-life experiences without any built-in Arab propaganda.…
NT2200-Week Two-Perspectives on Paul Paper The “old perspective” or “traditional perspective” that Timothy G. Gombis presents in our textbook can be summed up as a human effort to make oneself righteous in the eyes of God through works of the law. According to Timothy G. Gombis (2010), “When Paul critiques “Law,” “works of the Law,” and “works,” he is opposing an implicit Jewish legalism; the assumption that one’s status before God is earned through merit gained through good deeds” (p. 83).…
When you think of pictures, what do you think of? Captions? Memories? Meaning? Something that explains the picture’s purpose?…
Jake and Sheri identify as Jewish and attend a local synagogue on major celebratory occasions. Due to only attending this synagogue a couple times a year, it may not be a strong source support for Jake and his family. However, the Jewish religion could be considered a source of strength for the family. Jake’s community system…
Today Wiesel has rediscovered his faith after time away from his trauma. However during the Holocaust his faith was invisible. Before, Eliezer a curious young Jewish boy, asked Moishe the Beadle about Jewish customs and mysticism. “...I told him how unhappy I was not to be able to find in Sighet a master to teach me the Zohar…” Wiesel asked questions and explored his faith. Nothing would stop him, even when his father told him not to find a master, but Eliezer did anyway.…
Elie and his community face extreme segregation from society and become victim of the Holocaust. Elie explains that his community…
In Wiesel’s adolescent years, he develops a faith that is indestructible and everlasting. Even though Wiesel exemplifies an abundant loss of faith, he has an exceptional amount of determination in studying the Cabbala, which is a Jewish interpretation of the bible. Wiesel is reminded that he is too young to study one of the most complex concepts in the Jewish religion. When the rumors fill the air that the Jews are being deported, everyone thinks it is too improbable. As time passes quickly, “To the very last moment, a germ of hope stayed alive in our hearts” (Wiesel 13).…
The role family members play in the lives and journeys of Elie in his memoir Night and Gerda in her memoir All But My Life build upon their faith and influence each survivor’s hope and outlook on life before, during, and after the Holocaust. This indicates that three important…
Throughout the book, survival and self-preservation were common topics and were crucial to staying alive during the Holocaust. One instance of self-preservation was the son of Rabbi Eliahou. Eliahou and his son have stuck together for three years, from camp to camp, without ever letting go of eachother, until one march, his son left his father…
Rachael Zinnecker Mrs. Lyke English 11-1 5 May 2017 A Guilty Conscience Creates Distance Hasidic Judaism has been common practice for many jews all over the world for many years. This particular sect of Judaism is known for the extremely conservative ways of life and their seclusion from society. Living in a Hasidic community came to be a challenge for author Chaim Potok as part of his writing style included language and descriptions of things the community frowned upon.…
It is the idea of both the world and God’s silence that Wiesel finds most troubling. Elie and his companions are left to wonder how a supposedly all-knowing, all-powerful God can allow such horror and cruelty to occur, particularly to such devout followers. The existence of this horror, and the lack of a divine response, essentially destroys Elie’s innocence and leads him to question his faith. “Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live.” (Wiesel, 34) There is another type of silence weaved throughout Night: the silence of the victims, and the lack of resistance to the Holocaust.…
According to Stalla Corcos, the goal of the Alliance Israelie Universelle is “enlightenment,” i.e., to bring people together to form “one society and for one purpose in pursuing the general good.” (459) While one may argue that Corcos’ letter is a strategic fund-application proposal that cannot be taken literally, the same goal is repeated in another letter addressed to the teachers, this time with more details: “The alliance is less concerned with producing half-learned men than in forming good and tolerant men who feel an attachment to their duties as citizens and as Jews, who are dedicated to the public good and to their brothers.” (463) Considering Habermas’ ideal of a late 18th to early 19th century public sphere, which has been so far…
Being a ‘good Jew’ is vitally important to those who follow the Jewish faith; yet, the definition of such a view is very personal. Even still, there is a general sharing of beliefs that focus on the simple platitude of doing the right thing and giving of yourself by caring for the well-being of those in your local and global community (Semans & Fish, 2000). Time Historical evolution of the Jewish faith is grounded in their ancestors; an obligation to the promotion of their legacy in future generations is integral to the continuity of the faith. Despite adversity, Jews have thrived while facing oppression.…
Elie’s story is unique in the sense that despite knowing of the anti-semitic events that were occurring, the people of Sighet worried little. His story provides more depth to the common knowledge of the Holocaust. Without his recorded memories of what happened, the world may never of known about these people that were taken so late into the war, and their perspective. His desire to spread his memories and inform others helps to ensure that great tragedies, such as genocide, will be prevented. Elie’s memory, coupled with his motivational drive to educate the world of the genocide, has led to a more accurate understanding of the Holocaust that will not be forgotten.…