Question
Eliezer’s father recites the Kaddish as they near the crematorium. What does this prayer reveal about Shlomo’s state of mind, and why does Eliezer struggle to join him? Use quotes or details to support your response.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In "Night" by Elie Wiesel, the act of Shlomo (Eliezer's father) reciting the Kaddish as they approach the crematorium reveals a profound sense of despair and helplessness in his state of mind. The Kaddish is a traditional Jewish prayer for the dead, indicating that Shlomo is confronting the grim reality of their situation — the imminent death that surrounds them. His recitation of this prayer signifies a deep connection to his faith and heritage, even in the face of overwhelming horror. It reflects a determination to honor those who have died and a poignant acknowledgment of their suffering.
Eliezer's struggle to join his father in reciting the Kaddish highlights his internal conflict and disillusionment. He feels a severing of his spiritual ties, grappling with a loss of faith and the feeling of abandonment by God. At one point, he reflects, "Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the Universe, was silent. What was there to thank Him for?" This illustrates Eliezer's deep spiritual crisis, as he questions the very existence of God in the face of such cruelty. He feels disconnected, both from God and from the rituals that once held meaning for him.
Additionally, the oppressive atmosphere of the crematorium, a site of mass death, compounds Eliezer's anguish and makes the act of joining his father in prayer feel incongruous. The cruelty and suffering they experience lead him to doubt whether such prayers hold any significance at that moment. This struggle between honoring his father and his own despair encapsulates the broader theme of faith, despair, and the human response to overwhelming suffering that permeates Wiesel's narrative.
Eliezer's struggle to join his father in reciting the Kaddish highlights his internal conflict and disillusionment. He feels a severing of his spiritual ties, grappling with a loss of faith and the feeling of abandonment by God. At one point, he reflects, "Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the Universe, was silent. What was there to thank Him for?" This illustrates Eliezer's deep spiritual crisis, as he questions the very existence of God in the face of such cruelty. He feels disconnected, both from God and from the rituals that once held meaning for him.
Additionally, the oppressive atmosphere of the crematorium, a site of mass death, compounds Eliezer's anguish and makes the act of joining his father in prayer feel incongruous. The cruelty and suffering they experience lead him to doubt whether such prayers hold any significance at that moment. This struggle between honoring his father and his own despair encapsulates the broader theme of faith, despair, and the human response to overwhelming suffering that permeates Wiesel's narrative.