Kabbalah and Moisha the Beetle

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Questions and Answers

What was Moisha the Beetle known for in Seget?

His outspoken nature and participation in town debates

His wealth and influence in the community

His expertise in carpentry and woodworking

His shyness and ability to appear insignificant (correct)

What subject did the narrator yearn to study, despite his father's discouragement?

Advanced mathematics at the local university

Kabbalah, a tradition of Jewish mysticism (correct)

Ancient Greek philosophy and rhetoric

Astronomy and celestial navigation techniques

What did Moisha the Beetle teach the narrator about finding answers?

Answers are found by reading many books.

Real answers can be found within oneself. (correct)

Answers are found through consultation with community elders.

Answers are found through rigorous scientific experimentation.

According to Kabbalah, what is linked to the redemption of humanity?

The Shekinah's redemption, the feminine aspect of God (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Jews who were expelled from Seget and placed on the train to Galicia?

They were forced into trucks, driven to a forest, forced to dig trenches, and then shot by the Gestapo. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did no one believe Moisha when he returned to Seget to tell his story?

People thought he was mad or just looking for pity. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What event was the narrator's family planning for in the Spring of 1944?

Hilda’s wedding. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the Gleason Forest known for?

It was the location where Moisha witnessed a massacre. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What initial impression did the author have of the German officers upon their arrival in his town?

Distant but polite, masking the impending escalation of restrictions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What rationale was given by the Jewish council members to encourage acceptance of the ghettos?

Living in the ghettos would provide a sense of community and safety. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the general attitude of the people within the ghetto regarding their situation?

A facade of normality and optimism, fueled by the belief they'd remain there until the end of the war (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary emotion felt by the community upon learning about the deportation order?

Uncertainty and fear surrounding the future, with circulating rumors about labor camps (D) Signup and view all the answers

What do Mrs. Schachter's screams of "fire" on the train symbolize?

The fear that was widespread among the jews taken by train, and the despair felt by the author (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the train arriving at a station called Kashau?

It marked the point where passengers were officially under the control of German authorities and beyond Hungarian jurisdiction (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the author's emotional state upon arrival at Auschwitz?

Overwhelming dread and horror at the unknown (D) Signup and view all the answers

The selection process at Auschwitz, led by Dr. Mengele, primarily determined:

Which individuals were immediately fit for work and which would be killed (A) Signup and view all the answers

What caused the author to feel an intense desire to run into the electrified barbed wire?

The overwhelming despair and disbelief at witnessing children being thrown into flames (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the inmates reciting Kaddish?

Acknowledges the overwhelming fear they're experiencing, as well as a prayer celebrating God (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why were the prisoners forced to be shaved bald?

To strip them of their identity in modern society in modern times and dehumanize them further (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did the pile of clothes in the barracks symbolize?

Their equality in their nakedness, a shared destiny regardless of their past (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the Sonderkommando?

A forced to work at the crematorium and to burn their own families (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the author afraid of being separated from his father?

He feared losing his last connection to his previous life and any sense of hope (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when the author says they were forced to become "meerkat" figures?

It was a state of wearing mismatched and oversized clothes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What realization does the author come to after witnessing the Gypsy inmate's violence against his father?

That his own moral compass is breaking down and he is losing his sense of right and wrong. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'Arbeit Macht Frei' at the entrance to Auschwitz?

It is an example of horrific irony, as the reality of Auschwitz is far from freedom achieved through labor. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the author's father ask where the toilets were during the stay in the Gypsy camp?

He was experiencing a colic attack and needed to relieve himself. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the roll call at dusk in Auschwitz?

To enable the SS to check the number of inmates and maintain control and order. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How were prisoners identified after their arrival at Auschwitz?

By assigning each prisoner a unique number tattooed on their arm. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction of veteran inmates towards the new arrivals in Auschwitz, as evidenced by their actions the first morning?

Relative kindness, offering them black coffee and allowing them to enjoy the sunlight. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author refuse to eat the soup upon arriving at Auschwitz?

He refused because of his upbringing and principles, but his father ate the soup. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the author recognize Stein, the man who approached his father, while his father did not initially remember him?

The author had known Stein's wife, Rozelle, before she left for Belgium. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the SS officer emphasize to the inmates upon arrival, according to the text?

The location is a place of work or death, emphasizing the consequences of inaction. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the prisoners typically eat each day?

Black coffee in the morning, soup at midday, and bread with something else in the evening. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moisha the Beetle

Moisha was a poor man from Seget, Transylvania.
He was called "Moisha the Beetle."
He was shy and made himself seem unimportant.

The Narrator

The narrator was a Jewish boy from Seget, Transylvania in the 1940s.
He was observant, studying Talmud and praying in the synagogue.
He wanted to study Kabbalah but his father thought he was too young.

Moisha and the Narrator

The narrator met Moisha and was drawn to his wide, dreamy eyes.
Moisha, a Kabbalah student, taught the narrator the importance of questions, believing answers are within.

Kabbalah

Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism, understanding God through hidden Torah meanings.
The Shekinah (feminine aspect of God) is in exile, and its redemption links to humanity's.

Moisha's Story

Moisha and many other Jews were expelled from Seget, transported to a train for Galicia, Poland.
The Gestapo took over the train, forcing Jews off onto trucks.
They were driven to a forest, ordered to dig trenches, and then shot by the Gestapo.
Moisha survived due to a wound, being left for dead.

Moisha's Return

Moisha returned to Seget to warn Jews about the dangers.
His warnings were not believed; people thought he was mad or seeking pity.
Moisha was heartbroken and felt alone.

The Years 1942-1944

1942: Moisha told the narrator about the Gleason Forest massacre.
1943: Life in Seget seemed relatively normal despite the war.
1944: Spring: The narrator’s family prepared for Hilda’s wedding.

The Arrival of the Germans

Optimism existed about the Red Army and a belief that Hitler wouldn't harm them.
The Jewish community, like the author's family, paid little attention to rising fascism in Hungary.
German troops arriving caused unease and worry; initial politeness quickly escalated.
Jewish community leaders were arrested, and restrictions increased.

Life in the Ghetto

Two ghettos were established, confining Jews under strict regulations.
Jewish council members encouraged ghetto acceptance, believing it offered community.
Daily life in the ghetto appeared normal, focused on the belief of remaining there until the war's end.
Despite outward calm, fear and anxiety remained persistent.

The Deportation Order

The Jewish Council received a summons, signaling impending doom.
The Council announced ghetto liquidation and forced deportation to unknown locations.
Uncertainty and fear prevailed about labor camps and forced work.
Frenzied packing of belongings and goodbyes occurred.
Optimism for quick return remained despite the desperate situation.

The Journey by Train

The journey was harrowing – crammed cattle cars, extreme heat, thirst, and threats.
Mrs. Schachter lost her sanity, symbolizing the fear and despair.
The train stopped at Kashau, adding humiliation and confiscation.
Passengers were informed of deportation beyond Hungary, fostering extreme fear.
The journey illustrated confinement and escalating threats with diminishing hopes.

Arrival at Auschwitz

Arrival at Auschwitz caused dread – a place of unknown horror.
Separation from mother and sister was a heart-wrenching experience.
The arrival process was chaotic and dehumanizing, guided by SS officers.
The permanent separation of family members took place.

Arrival at Auschwitz (Later Version)

The author and his father, with other inmates, arrived at Auschwitz.
A hostile SS officer threatened death at the crematorium, pointing to the flames in a nearby ditch.
The inmates were terrified and stunned.
The author felt dread and disbelief.

The Selection

Inmates were taken to a clearing for selection by Dr. Mengele.
Mengele used a baton to direct inmates, left or right.
Inmates were relieved to stay together, whether left or right side.
The author was separated from his mother, and his father was heartbroken.
The author was destined for the crematorium.

Facing the Flames

The author witnessed children thrown into the flames.
The sheer horror and implications of the violence were incomprehensible.
The silence of the world surrounding such atrocities was perplexing.
The author's father spoke of the family, challenging the belief of such brutality.
The author and his father faced the crematorium, experiencing hopelessness.
The author wished to run into the electrified barbed wire for immediate death.
The author's father grieved, and inmates recited Kaddish.
Anger at the world occurred, with the author questioning divine sanctification.
The author whispered a prayer for deliverance.
The author was pulled back from self-destruction.

The Barracks

Inmates were stripped, belongings confiscated, and shaved bald.
A pile of clothes in the barracks symbolized equality.
Inmates were selected for the Sonderkommando, forced to work at the crematorium.
The author feared separation from his father.
Strong inmates were selected, forcing them to be "meerkat figures."
Mismatched clothing was given.
The constant chaos and despair were overwhelming.
Inmates cried out in grief, questioning their survival.
The author experienced a loss of hope and felt a weight of despair.
The SS officer emphasized the camp reality (work or death).

The Gypsy Camp

The author and others were moved to another barracks—a stone building to sit.
The author's father had a colic attack and asked for the toilets.
A Gypsy inmate responded cruelly, slapping his father and making him crawl back.
The author's moral compass cracked.
The author experienced outrage and remorse.

Guarding the Gates

The author and his father were moved facing constant violence and threats.
Lives constantly hanging in the balance.
Taken to Auschwitz for another selection.
The author's lives in constant risk.

The Irony of Freedom

The author passed a gate with "Arbeit Macht Frei" (Work Makes You Free), a horrific irony.
The author experienced the despair and fleeting hope of reaching the showers.
More violence occurred with the SS officer's message of camaraderie to survive.
The author settled into block 17 facing bleakness.

Arrival at Auschwitz (Duplicate Version)

The author and others arrived at Auschwitz and were assigned bunks.
Veterans treated new arrivals with kindness.
Received new clothing and black coffee
Allowed to leave block for sunlight.
Prevailing view was that the war was ending.
Soup was provided for lunch.
The author refused soup due to upbringing; his father ate it.

Tattooing Numbers

Prisoners were ordered for a medical procedure.
Three veteran inmates tattooed numbers on prisoners' left arms.
The author received the number A7713.

Daily Routine at Auschwitz

A roll call was conducted at dusk.
A camp orchestra played during roll call.
SS checked inmate numbers.
Prisoners looked for friends and family.
Meals included morning coffee, midday soup, and evening bread.
Evening roll call, followed by evening bread and something else.

Encounter with Stein

After roll call, Stein approached the author's father (Visel).
Stein was small, bespectacled, and weathered.
Stein asked if Visel was from Siget.
Visel recognized Stein from deportation in 1942.
The author recognized Stein because Rozelle (Stein's wife) was familiar.
Rozelle's aunt had written to them in the past.

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Description

Explore the relationship between Moisha the Beetle and the young narrator in Seget, Transylvania. This quiz delves into themes of Jewish mysticism, personal discovery, and the teachings of Kabbalah. Test your knowledge of characters and their beliefs within the story.