|
Sign up for our newsletters!
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy       Subscribe to O, The Oprah Magazine

Oprah: What brings you the greatest joy?

Elie: Besides my family? Seeing a student understand what I say. Real joy is when you can help somebody in need.

Oprah: Do you think that each of us is here to serve others?

Elie: Yes, always. My humanity derives from my efforts with others. If I come close to a beggar, I come closer to God.

Oprah: On the last page in the magazine, I write a column called "What I Know for Sure." Elie, what is it that you know for sure, that you have no doubt about?

Elie: I have no doubt that we are here for a purpose. I have no doubt that the purpose is not only to bring God closer to his creations, but to bring his creations close to one another. I have no doubt that a human being is human simply because he or she is human—and we have no right to say that a poor person is of less value to society than someone who is rich.

Oprah: Yes—simply being born is what gives us worth. This is gooood!

Elie: I have no doubt that education is good for the soul, not only for the mind. I have no doubt that questions have their own magic, their own charm and their own immortality. I have no doubt that faith is only pure when it does not negate the faith of another. I have no doubt that evil can be fought and that indifference is no option. I have no doubt that fanaticism is dangerous. And of all the books in the world on life, I have no doubt that the life of one person weighs more than them all.

Contact the Museum of Jewish Heritage— A Living Memorial to the Holocaust at 646.437.4200 or log on to www.mjhnyc.org.

From the November 2000 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

PAGE 8 of 9
..
4
5
6
7
8
9
From the November 2000 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Loading...
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
IN THE CURRENT ISSUE
Grow your life! Get an exclusive look at Oprah's new farm, uncover 28 fresh ideas for happier living, and learn Bob Greene's top secret to eating smarter. Plus, find out how you can win a trip to Hawaii to have lunch with Oprah!
see all new stories