ence, youthful observations and detachment arose in his reflections: "It was a beautiful April day. The fragrance of spring was in the air" (Wiesel, 1960, p. 51).
After less than a month at Auschwitz, Elie and his father were sent to another camp -- Buna. This was a work camp. It did not have the crematory found at Auschwitz, and except for hangings to make examples of misbehaving prisoners, mass death was not a camp reality. Nonetheless, the hanging of a young boy (who, being lighter than an adult, clung to life for half-an-hour before expiring) sickened Elie and the others.
The reality caused Elie to question God, particularly during Holy days. "What are you . . ." he wondered, "Why should I bless Him?" (Wiesel, 1960, pp. 77-78). He could not reconcile praying to God, blessing His name, with what appeared to be God's betrayal of followers. As Lord of the Un
...