Night by Elie Wiesel: Moshe the Beadle

Questions and Answers

Describe Moshe the Beadle.

A kind, poor man who was awkward, quiet, and devoted to God.

Describe Elie Wiesel's father. What is his occupation?

He is a learned, unsentimental man and a respected Jewish community leader who is more interested in others than his own family.

Why is Moshe the Beadle important to Elie Wiesel?

Moshe became his cabbalist, or instructor in the mystical aspects of the Jewish faith.

Summarize the story Moshe the Beadle told on his return from being deported. Why did he say he had returned to Sighet?

He and the other foreign Jews were taken to a forest, made to dig graves, and then killed by the Gestapo. Moshe escaped and returned to tell the Jews to prepare themselves before it was too late. Signup and view all the answers

What was the public reaction to Moshe's story?

They didn't believe him, and some didn't even listen to him. They all thought he just wanted pity. Signup and view all the answers

What was the setting and the year for the first section of the book? What was the world condition at the time?

It was 1942 in Sighet, Transylvania, during World War II. The author mentions 1943 and describes events in 1944. Signup and view all the answers

Describe, in order, the events that happened from the last day of Passover until Pentecost.

The Germans arrested the Jewish community leaders, Jewish residents were confined to their houses for three days, then had to wear the yellow star, two ghettos were set up, and finally, deportations were announced. Signup and view all the answers

How did Wiesel say he felt about the Hungarian police?

He began to hate them deeply because they were oppressing him and his community. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Martha? What happened when she visited the Wiesel family in the ghetto?

Martha was a non-Jewish servant who tried to help them escape to safety, but they all chose to stay together. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moshe the Beadle

A kind and poor man, characterized as awkward and quiet, deeply devoted to God.
Acts as a mentor to Elie Wiesel, teaching him about the mystical aspects of Jewish faith.

Elie Wiesel's Father

Described as a learned, unsentimental individual and a respected leader within the Jewish community.
Prioritizes the needs of others over his own family’s well-being.

Importance of Moshe to Elie Wiesel

Moshe serves as Elie's instructor in Kabbalah, introducing him to the deeper spiritual elements of Judaism.

Moshe's Story After Deportation

Moshe recounts being taken with other foreign Jews to Poland, forced to dig their graves in a forest, and ultimately survived by pretending to be dead.
Returns to Sighet to warn the Jewish community, urging them to prepare for impending danger.

Public Reaction to Moshe's Warning

The community largely disbelieves Moshe's story, dismissing him as seeking pity and ignoring the grave warnings he shares.

Setting and Context

The first section of the narrative is set in 1942 in Sighet, Transylvania, amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Historical events unfold, with mentions of 1943 and starting significant events in 1944.

Events from Passover to Pentecost

The Germans arrest Jewish community leaders on the last day of Passover.
Jewish residents are confined to their homes for three days and later required to wear a yellow star.
Two ghettos are established, leading to the announcement of deportation starting the day after a council meeting attended by Shlomo Wiesel.

Feelings Towards Hungarian Police

Elie Wiesel expresses deepening hatred towards Hungarian police due to their role in the oppression faced by him and his community.

Martha's Visit

Martha, a non-Jewish servant, visits the Wiesel family in the ghetto with intentions to help them escape.
Despite her offer, the Wiesel family decides to remain together in Sighet.

Description

Explore the character of Moshe the Beadle in Elie Wiesel's 'Night'. This quiz delves into his significance as a mentor and spiritual guide to Wiesel, as well as his harrowing experience after deportation. Understand the community's reaction to Moshe's warnings and the lessons he imparts about the Jewish faith.