You finish this book knowing Wiesel was a good man. That word good'' should be used and interpreted with considerable care; even Jesus resisted its facile attribution.
Having lived through, and survived, Auschwitz, Wiesel gave all his energies and gifts to being an effective witness, a curator of his people's history, a vocal and literary protester against whatever belittles, threatens or even denies the humanity and dignity of each human person. That brings the use of the word 'good' well into the moral reach of Elie Wiesel.
I still think by far the best portrayal of Wiesel is how own 2 volume memoir. The two titles serve as a summing up of his hopefulness in the face of the realities of human existence: All rivers run to the sea. – And the sea is never full. The ocean that is the mystery and mercy of God has the capacity to contain and keep secure all of human life. So, against much evidence to the contrary, Weisel believed. In such hope, in defiance of despair, he lived.
Leave a Reply