During his lifetime, Elie Wiesel published several collections of profiles featuring figures from the Bible, Talmud, and Hasidism. Filled with Fire and Light, edited by Alan Rosen, is a new book that contains nine more of these short but powerful essays.
Although many Jews will not be familiar
with these characters, including Elisha, disciple of Elijah; Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai, who had himself smuggled out of Jerusalem in a coffin and started the academy that salvaged Jewish learning after the destruction of the Temple; and Reb Shneur Zalman, the first Rebbe of Chabad and a crucial figure in the development of Hasidism, all of them are brought vividly to life in Wiesel’s portraits. He examines their lives and provides sometimes competing legends illustrating their characters and relationships with those around them, while he himself relates to them as intimate friends and teachers. He also includes a chapter on the character of God in the Tanakh as well as the figure of Satan, who mostly shows up in the Talmud and midrash.
Filled with Fire and Light is a fascinating trip through Jewish history and lore, informed by Wiesel’s vast learning and love of stories as well as his own experiences, including his survival of the Holocaust, and most importantly, infused with the wisdom and compassion for which he was known and beloved.
Filled with Fire and Light can be obtained through the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library system.
Leslie Jaszczak