There are those who tell me that I survived in order to write this text. I am not convinced. I don't know how I survived; I was weak, rather shy; I did nothing to save myself. A miracle? Certainly not. If heaven could or would perform a miracle for me, why not for others more deserving than myself? It was nothing more than chance. However, having survived, I needed to give some meaning to my survival.
In his memoir "Night," Elie Wiesel reflects on his experience of survival during the Holocaust. He expresses doubt about the notion that he survived for a specific purpose, like writing his story. Wiesel describes himself as weak and hesitant, acknowledging that he did not actively fight for his own survival, leading him to question the validity of any miraculous intervention. He suggests that his survival was merely a matter of chance rather than divine favor.
Despite his uncertainty about the reasons for his survival, Wiesel feels a strong need to derive meaning from his experience. He grapples with the idea that many others suffered more than he did, which intensifies his feelings of unworthiness. Ultimately, Wiesel's journey is not just about surviving the Holocaust; it is also about finding a way to honor those who did not make it and to convey the lessons learned from such profound suffering.
