The little town of Transylvania. Where is this place? I will need to look it up? I didn't know it existed maybe only in the story of Dracula? However, I now realize that is where Elie is from.
The Jews of Sighet. I know there are a lot of Jews all over the world. I know that during the war they were persecuted all over Europe but I never understood why. In the story, he begins by introducing this man called Moishe the Beadle. The poor man jack of all trades.But this part really stood out.
"He was poor and lived in utter penury. As a rule, our townspeople, while they did help the needy, did not particularly like them. Moishe the Beadle was the exception."
I find this to still be true in society today. For example: I see this with people who say they support the homeless shelters or people in need. Yes you can write a check or give some of your loose change towards these people. But do you really like them? Would you offer one of them a place to sleep or simply help them out of pity or to do the "right thing"?
This is a feeling that we still have with people in need. Just a sad but true statement.
Later the story moves on toward the discovery of meaning of God for Elie. He was a very religious young man. He prayed quite often. Moishe would begin to ask many questions whenever he noticed he was praying. Why did he pray? Why did he cry and pray? Why so many questions did Moishe ask? So Elie began to ask them back. He asked Moishe, "Why do you pray"?
Moishe responds,
"Man comes closer to God through the questions he asks Him. Man asks God and he replies. But when we don't understand His replies. We cannot understand them. Because they dwell in the depth of our souls and remain there until we die. The real answers, Eliezer, you will find only within yourself."
This is the beginning of a spiritual journey between Eliezer and Moishe.
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