Timmy's Post #2

Dear Readers,

As I continue to read Night, I begin to grasp a deeper understanding of the horrific treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.  I could never imagine enduring the physical and mental pain that these innocent humans experienced.  I’ve witnessed the dehumanization of the Jews by the Nazis.  The Jews’ world was rapidly changed when they were forced into concentration camps.  One can sense the destruction of Eliezer’s inner being, “My soul had been invaded- and devoured- by a black flame” (Wiesel 37).  His soul, including both his spiritual and emotional selves, has been ripped out by Hitler and his people.  Eliezer feels empty inside, he is just a body with limbs.  Despite the fact that a soul is immortal, it can vanish from one’s body leaving one with dead or devilish disposition.  This process reminds me of when a Christian commits a sin.  This person is haunted by guilt resulting from his wrong doing.  Fortunately for Christians, the soul can be cleansed through the sacrament of Penance.  By seeking and receiving God’s forgiveness at confession, a Christian can have a ‘clean’ soul again.  However, this is not the case of Eliezer who is Jewish.  The Jewish practice does not recognize the sacrament of Penance; though, they do believe in a God who can help them overcome obstacles in life.  Unfortunately, during the Holocaust, Jews were stripped of their religious activities which made it nearly impossible to revive their souls.  Therefore, they were forced to face hardship with little hope that God was supporting them.  This must have been so lonely and scary.  Human’s often can’t persevere in times of fear.  When we are scared, we lose self confidence and we let stronger negative forces control us.  Eliezer is losing his soul as time moves forward.  However, as we continue to read we can see that his soul is still present; he experiences emotions of sadness about the passing of his mother and sister, and vulnerability regarding his father’s weak condition. 

Eliezer began to lose his soul when the Nazis took away his name and referred to him as a number.  Eliezer “became A-7713. From then on, [he] had no other name” (Wiesel 42).  He lost his identity as a human when he was no longer referred to as the name given to him at birth, Eliezer Wiesel.  This name provides an identification that was chosen by the most important figures in his life, his mother and father.  One’s name goes much deeper than the letters that spell it and the sounds it makes; it is often filled with rich family history, heritage and tradition.  For example, my birth name, Timothy Michael Salit, has roots from both my maternal and paternal history.  Two of my mother’s brothers are named Timothy and Michael.  Additionally, I carry on the Jewish name, Salit.  I am proud and honored to be addressed by all three of these names.  Also, my first and middle names distinguish me from my two brothers.  Without these distinct names I am just another ‘Salit’.  However, I am more than just a ‘Salit’; I am Timothy Michael Salit, not Brian Patrick or Matthew James.   What does a name mean to you?  A-7713 is not a name; rather, it is a number.  The Nazis treated the Jews as if they were numbers, not human beings with feelings.  It didn’t matter if one was broken or dead because they would all eventually have no life left and be replaceable by others.  This dehumanizing policy and philosophy was carried out throughout the Holocaust.  How could SS Officers ever imagine what they were doing is just?

Nobody will ever be able to justify the cruelty of the Nazis.  Also, nobody will be able to understand the pain and suffering that the Jews went through.  How could the Nazis do this to the Jews?  Eliezer determination and perseverance is a great role model for people who are outnumbered by negative forces.  He demonstrates the power of one.  Whether he knew it and or believed it, I believe that God was supporting him through this tumultuous experience.  Do you believe? 

Happy Readings,

Timmy