Eliezer's Struggle With Faith

At the very beginning of the book Night by Elie Wiesel, Moshe the Beadle claims that “man raises himself toward God by the questions he asks Him” (2). This statement by Moshe sets the tone for the way Eliezer deals with his faith throughout the rest of the book. Eliezer starts off a very religious youth growing up in the Jewish town of Sighet. From this setting he moves to Auschwitz where he begins to grapple with his belief, and questions God. At points it seems as though there is no more God left for Eliezer, but by some of his words and actions it is evident that he still has the slightest bit of faith in God. This religious struggle of Eliezer ends with his questions being answered, and his realization that there is no God anymore. In this paper Eliezer’s constant tussle with faith will be tracked until his very final realization of the lack of God in the world of man.

Eliezer grows up in the town of Sighet in Transylvania, where the majority of the population is Jewish and very religious. Eliezer’s father is one of the well esteemed Jews in the city council and is looked up to by many. Due to this it is obvious that Eliezer holds God in the highest regard puts all of his faith into the Almighty. When looking back on his p

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Eliezer’s has complete faith in God at this young point in his life, and places all of his trust in the Eternal. The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me” (109). It starts with full faith, and then questions but still belief, followed by stronger questions, and then ended with complete dissipation of all his religious hopes.

Eliezer has been raised up above God through his questioning. Eliezer when looking back at his arrival to Auschwitz, utters these words: “Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Some solid proof of Eliezer being cut off from all religious ties occurs right after his father dies.

Eliezer is now ready to give up God completely as his questions have been answered, and it is becoming all too evident to him that there is no God. Moshe the Beadle earlier decrees that the questions one asks God raises one towards God, and this is true on Eliezer’s part. How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God’s existence, but I doubted His absolute justice” (42). He’s the only one who’s kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people” (77). It is as if God has tricked Eliezer and the rest of the Jews into thanking him and believing him. This statement crushes any faith left in Eliezer.

Eliezer completes a devastating cycle during his time at the concentration camps. His condition grows worse and worse.

Approximate Word count = 1254
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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