How Did Elie Wiesel Change In Night

One genocide that affected many was the Holocaust, out of the survivors there was Elie Wiesel, who valued God over many things in his life. When he was forced into Auschwitz, he struggled to maintain his grasp with God. Like others, Elie began to develop a feeling of hatred against God because it seemed that God had abandoned them and allowed for all the pain to occur. Elie Wiesel’s connection with God changed during the years he left his home until he was liberated in Buchenwald. His journey with God began with devotion, leading to doubt, and concluded with a loss.
Prior to being sent to the concentration camp, Auschwitz, Elie Wiesel was a young boy living in Sighet, who would cry during his prayers to God. He was very faithful to his religion, he studied the Talmud during the day and cried during the night
Not only did people die because of starvation, but some were hanged as well. The hanging that affected Elie the most was when a young boy dangled on life for everyone to witness. Elie did not understand the actions of God and neither did many around him, many wondered where God was and Elie responded, “Where He is? This is where-hanging here from this gallows…” (65). Elie referred to the idea that Pipel, the young boy who was hanged, represented God. God had people who looked up to him with hope, like children, both provided hope and happiness, but when this young boy died Elie’s faith died along with the young boy. Elie saw many deaths in the concentration camps, even the one of his own father. No longer did he look to God for hope and help but he abandoned God to help himself, he held onto the belief that he was stronger than God, that man could survive through suffering while God did nothing. Elie kept God in the back of his mind, he did not forget God, but he started to believe that he no longer needed God, Elie has changed and lost his