Night by Elie Wiesel: Moshe the Beadle

Questions and Answers

Who is Moshe the Beadle?

The caretaker of the synagogue.

What does Wiesel tell the reader of Moshe?

He is poor and lived in penury; he was the only poor person people liked because he stayed out of the way; awkward and strange.

How does Wiesel describe himself as a boy of 12?

Very religious, observant, studied Talmud.

How does Wiesel describe his father?

Cultured and wise; the community holds him in high regard and seeks his input in social/private matters; runs a grocery store; unemotional. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Elie's father prohibit him from studying the Kabbalah?

He is too young and he must understand the basics first, studying the Talmud and the Torah. Signup and view all the answers

How did Wiesel realize his wish to study the Kabbalah?

Elie learns that Moshe the Beadle is a Master of the Kabbalah and he becomes Elie Wiesel's teacher. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Moshe?

All foreign Jews were expelled from Sighet, deported on a train originally to Galicia. Signup and view all the answers

Several months later, Elie saw Moshe the Beadle again. What story did Moshe tell?

He and the other foreign Jews had been taken by train through Hungary and into Poland. They were taken to a forest and made to dig graves. Then the Gestapo killed them. Moshe escaped because he had been mistaken for dead, although he was just wounded. He said he returned to tell the Jews to prepare themselves before it was too late. Signup and view all the answers

How was Moshe able to escape?

He was wounded (shot in the leg) and left for dead. Signup and view all the answers

How was Moshe changed as a result of his experience?

No more joy or religious expression; didn't sing anymore. Signup and view all the answers

How did other people in the village react to Moshe's story?

Other people in the village refused to believe or listen to Moshe. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the villagers react the way they did to Moshe's story?

They couldn't believe such horrible things could happen. Signup and view all the answers

What was the attitude of the Jews of Sighet?

Optimistic. Signup and view all the answers

What literary device does Wiesel employ to emphasize the foolish optimism and denial of facts of the Jews living in Sighet?

Irony. Signup and view all the answers

After the Germans arrived in Sighet, what was the prevailing attitude among the residents?

It was reassuring and calm. The Germans seemed nice. Signup and view all the answers

After Passover, Wiesel says 'the curtain rose.' What does this refer to?

The facade that the Germans had disappeared. Signup and view all the answers

What happened after Passover?

They started to take over and arrested Jewish leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What was bitterly ironic about the comments that Wiesel's father made regarding the wearing of the yellow star?

He said that it wasn't lethal. However, it singled out the Jews to be killed. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Germans' next step?

They started putting Jews in ghettos; Jews were concentrated then confined in the ghettos. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Jews react to this?

They tried to lead normal lives. Signup and view all the answers

The Germans had other plans for the Jews of Sighet. What were those plans?

They divided the Ghetto Jews into two groups. The first group was sent by train in cattle cars to an unknown destination, to work in camps. The second group, which Elie's family belonged to, was removed to the Small Ghetto. Signup and view all the answers

Despite all that happened, even after the Germans entered the capital of Budapest, Wiesel tells us that people still remained optimistic about their future. How can you explain this optimism?

They needed something to keep them going and didn't want to believe their lives were in danger. Signup and view all the answers

In this chapter, Wiesel uses images from nature. How does he use the sun?

'Under a blazing sun', 'a summer sun', 'the heat was oppressive' - the imagery of the sun is a metaphor for the brutality of the German Nazi regime. Signup and view all the answers

What does the imagery of night suggest?

No more optimism, hope burned out, dying, darkness both physically and in spirit. It is also a metaphor that the Jews of Sighet are about to enter the darkest period of their lives, a long night for the Jewish people as a whole. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moshe the Beadle

Caretaker of the synagogue, poor, and well-liked despite his poverty.
Described as awkward and strange, yet respected within the community.

Elie Wiesel's Early Life

As a 12-year-old, Wiesel was very religious and observant, focusing on Talmud studies.
Wiesel’s father was cultured, wise, and held in high regard in the community, while also running a grocery store.

Kabbalah Studies

Elie’s father forbade him from studying the Kabbalah, stating he was too young and needed to master the Talmud and Torah first.
Wiesel's wish to study Kabbalah became reality when Moshe agreed to teach him.

Moshe's Deportation and Experience

Moshe the Beadle was deported with other foreign Jews to Galicia.
Months later, upon returning, Moshe shared that he had witnessed and survived grave diggings and executions by the Gestapo, returning to warn the community.

Community Response

The villagers were dismissive of Moshe's horrific tales, unable to fathom the cruel reality he described.
Optimism prevailed among the Jews of Sighet, showcasing a sense of denial regarding their fate.

German Occupation and Its Effects

Initial interactions with Germans were reassuring; they appeared friendly.
Violence and oppression began post-Passover, with the arrest of Jewish leaders and enforced restrictions such as wearing the yellow star.

Ghettoization of Jews

Jews were divided and moved into ghettos, where they tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Wiesel’s family was moved to the Small Ghetto, with others sent away to labor camps.

Symbolism and Imagery

Wiesel employs irony to highlight the confusion and false optimism within the Jewish community.
The imagery of the sun reflects oppression and brutality, while darkness (night) symbolizes loss of hope and the impending suffering of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Overall Context

The title "Night" foreshadows the loss of optimism and the bleak fate that awaited the Jewish community in Sighet, representing a prolonged period of darkness and despair for the entire Jewish population.

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Description

Explore the character of Moshe the Beadle in Elie Wiesel's 'Night'. This quiz covers his background, the significance of his teachings, and the chilling events he experienced during deportation. Assess your understanding of Wiesel's early life and the community's reaction to Moshe's warnings.