Night by Elie Wiesel

1. Night by Elie Wiesel

2. Holocaust Greek word meaning “sacrifice by fire.”

3. Why Did Nazis Wish to Exterminate the Jews? Ayran Race Other Groups Targeted by Nazis Ayran Race believed to have biological superiority if it was kept pure Racial inferiority of Jews threatened the superior race of Germany. Believed other races reproduced at a higher rate than Ayrans. Had to be stopped. Weed out weaknesses: physical and mental disablilties, homeless, promiscuous women, addicts, those unable to hold a job Roma (Gypsies) - immoral Slavic people (Poles, Russians, etc) Wipe them out to take their land for Ayran expansion Communists, Socialists Jehovah’s Witness / Catholics German Homosexuals (men, not women) Black Germans

4. Basic Terms of Judaism • Torah – First 5 books of Bible, only books Jews recognize – Gen, Ex, Leviticus, Num, Deut (thx Dre) • Talmud – Oral tradition handed down. Interpretation of Torah • Rabbi – religious teacher of Jews, authorized to make decisions on issues of Jewish law • Synagogue – Jewish house of prayer, study, town hall • Messiah – Hebrew word meaning “anointed”, one who will end all evil, rebuild the temple, bring exiles back to Israel, and usher in the world to come – hasn’t come yet. • Name of God – For many Jews, not spoken or written out, for fear that it might be used in vain or defaced / treated in a blasphemous way.

5. Israel – The Jewish Holy Land Modern –Day Israel Ancient Israel • Importance of Holy Land • Jews promised land through Abraham’s son Isaac (with Sarah)– his sons would people the earth. • Ishmael was the son of Abraham with Hagar,( Sarah’s servant). God promised that he too would have a long line of sons and land – even though he and his mother were exiled. He was first born son.

6. Temple • Temple Mount site of temple built by Jacob, rebuilt by Solomon, destroyed by Romans in 70 AD. • Jews were exiled from Jerusalem, briefly took it back in 1967, now controlled by Muslims, Dome of the Rock mosque is there • Jews await Messiah to return holy land to Jews and rebuild temple

7. Interesting Facts about Judiasm • 618 Commandments “mitzvot” • Life is most valued gift – almost all commandments can be broken to save a life • Israel – Homeland given to Jews by God through Abraham and his descendents • Types of Judaism • Orthodox – follow Judaism strictly, in a traditional way • Conservative – believe that traditions and laws can change to fit the times • Reform – individuals can make choices about what traditions to follow

8. Jewish Dietary Laws from Torah Kosher means “clean” / Trief means “torn” (not Kosher) No mixing of Dairy and Meat Acceptable animals to eat Cloven hooves + chews cud – no rabbit, pig, camel. OK – cow, sheep, goat, deer, bison Fish – must have fins and scales. No oysters, shrimp, crabs Kosher slaughtering / butcher – draining of blood, removal of certain nerves & fats which are prohibited Can’t die of natural causes or be killed by another animal- “torn” No cooking, serving, or eating of meat and dairy together, or meat and fish. Poultry and dairy is ok Applies to utensils, pots, pans, plates, flatware, even dishwasher, sink, etc.

9. NIGHT Setting: Sighet, Transylvania: Modern-day Romania Concentration camps in Germany /Poland Auchwictz /Birkenau Buchenwald Buna Gliewicz

10. Concentration Camps in Night

11. Important Terminology • Ghettos – originated in Venice in 1516, but term used for enclosed areas where Jews were forced to live in isolation from the rest of the population – “holding tanks” before camps • SS - Schutzstaffel German “protective echelon” – Hitler’s elite paramilitary force • Gestapo - German Secret State Police; could never face criminal charges under German law • Jewish Holidays • Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement • Rosh Hashanah – Jewish New Year • Hanukah – Festival of Lights

12. Other Important Terms • Shekina – majestic presence of God which has descended to dwell among men • Kabbalah – study of Jewish Mysticism • Hasidic movement – form of Orthodox Judaism

13. Works Cited • Jewish Virtual Library • Website of the US Holocaust Museum • Judaism 101 Website