Wiesel’s Survival The Holocaust was arguably the most devastating massacre against humanity in the past century. It is estimated that up to six million Jews were annihilated in this atrocious event. In the memoir Night, Elie Wiesel explains the struggles he endured in order to escape the Holocaust alive. In order for Wiesel to survive, the captives had to leave their faith behind and stay close with the people they loved. Before Wiesel and the rest of the ghetto in Sighet is deported, he has an extremely strong connection with his faith. He describes his faith when he states, “I believe profoundly” (Wiesel 1). This quote shows the level of confidence he has in his religion at this time. In this part of the memoir he is only 12, but still insists on studying the Cabala, something most Jews do not start until their 30’s. With extreme dedication to his religion, the Wiesel family and many others are deported to Birkenau. As Jews are shipped by the hundreds …show more content…
The march only lasted 30 minutes but it was enough to spark discourage in some minds. Shortly after arriving in Auschwitz, a young Polish man announced, “We shall all see the day of liberation. Have faith in life. Above all else, have faith” (Wiesel 38). As some Jews were starting to lose the one thing that united them, others were holding on tighter now than they ever had before. Wiesel was one of those who started to question his absolute faith in God when he admits, “But I had ceased to pray… I did not deny gods existence, but I doubted His absolute justice.” (42) As Wiesel’s faith weakens, his bond with his father grows stronger. Not long after, Wiesel is asked if he wants to get in to a good unit. He replies, “I certainly do want to get in to a good unit. But on one condition; I want to stay with my father” (46). At this point Wiesel is willing to mistreated or overworked as long as he gets to stay with his