Night Chapter 5 Summary Flashcards

Rush Hashanah

• A service is held to celebrate Rush Hashanah, where Eli grapples with feelings of anger toward God and refuses to bless His name.
• Eli, feeling like the accuser rather than seeking forgiveness, reflects on the weight of despair his father carries during the service.

Yom Kippur

• Eli, against his father's advice to conserve strength, chooses not to fast, expressing a defiant stance toward God as well as loyalty to his father.
• Eli is separated from his father due to being transferred to the construction commando, where labor involves hauling heavy stones.

Selection Process

• News of an upcoming selection spreads through the barracks, instilling fear among the prisoners.
• The block leader advises prisoners to appear vigorous and maintain composure to improve their chances of passing inspection.
• Eli and his father manage to pass the selection, bringing them a sense of relief.

Death Lists

• A new list reveals Eli's father has been selected for death, leading to moments of despair and reassurance between them.
• Eli's father, fearing imminent death, attempts to impart his last wishes and gives Eli a knife and spoon, symbols of family inheritance, before they say goodbye.

Akiba Drumer

• Fellow prisoner Akiba Drumer is selected for death; he asks for a Kaddish to be said, but the prisoners forget amidst their despair.
• The arrival of winter exacerbates the already harsh living conditions in the camp.

Hospitalization

• Christmas and New Year bring a slight reprieve with better food, but Eli's condition deteriorates as his foot begins to swell.
• Eli's visit to a Jewish doctor results in the recommendation for amputation, prompting fears about being selected during recovery.

Life in the Hospital

• Hospital conditions offer slightly more comfort, with thicker soup and bed sheets, though Eli worries about potential selection while healing.
• Following a successful operation, Eli initially fears his leg has been amputated but is relieved to find it intact.

Evacuation Rumors

• Rumors circulate about the approach of Russian forces, indicating a potential evacuation where hospitalized prisoners might be killed.
• Fearful of separation from his father, Eli leaves the hospital early to search for him despite still recovering.

Liberation

• Shortly after Eli's departure, the Russians liberate the hospital, although Eli and other prisoners must endure further hardships such as cleaning the barracks before evacuation.