“In the beginning there was faith—which is childish; trust—which is vain; and illusion—which is dangerous. We believed in God, trusted in man, and lived with the illusion that every one of us has been entrusted with a sacred spark from the Shekhinah's flame; that every one of us carries in his eyes and in his soul a reflection of God's image” (Wiesel). Religion has been an important part of many cultures and societies, shaping individuals' beliefs and values. Whether for better or worse, religion has played a significant role in shaping the way people view the world and their place in it. In the novel Night, Elie Wiesel recounts his personal experiences through the horrors of the Holocaust. The novel begins in a town in Sighet, Hungary, Elie's hometown. As the …show more content…
Maimonides tells us that one must be thirty before venturing into the world of mysticism, a world fraught with peril.’” (Wiesel 4). Elie's eagerness to deepen his understanding of his religion at a young age illustrates his strong sense of spiritual curiosity and dedication. Despite being advised to wait until he was older, Elie's determination to explore the Kabbalah reveals his unwavering commitment to his faith. Overall, these two quotes demonstrate that, at the beginning of the novel, Elie is shown to be devoted to his religious studies and eager to learn more, even if it means going against traditional advice. This sets the stage for his evolving spiritual journey throughout the rest of the book. In the face of unimaginable suffering during the Holocaust, Elie Wiesel’s faith takes a pivotal shift from being completely devoted to questioning his faith. In the following quote, Wiesel internally responds to his father calling upon God while they marched through Auschwitz. “For the first time, I felt anger rising within me. Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the Universe, chose to be silent. What was there to thank Him for? Wiesel