Search for Meaning - Frankl is a True Jew
Search For Meaning
In Viktor Frankl’s book, A Man’s Search for Meaning, his unconditional faith proves him to be a true Jew. Though he grapples thousands of times with the meaning of what has happened to him, in the end his ultimate concern is what gives him the strength to continue. Some of the main questions Frankl is struggling with pertains to the two basic questions, “Where do I live?” and “What’s around the corner?” Through dealing with these concepts his true religious nature shine through. Another contributing factor in answering the question of Frankl true Judaic nature is that of vicarious suffering. For in Judaism they believe that have been chosen to take on the sins of the world. Frankl is likened to Job in the sense that though the suffering seemed unimaginable and they both questioned why, in the end their faith in God was solid. Through basic questions, “Where do I live?” and “What’s around the corner?” and vicarious suffering, Frankl can be proved to be a true Jew.
The question of “Where do I live?” is one that Frankl had to faced its harsh reality daily. His surroundings were so full of atrocities that he become almost emotionally numb. At the start of the book when Frankl has just entered the concentration camp, it’s hard to see how he could remain a true Jew, when he is constantly aware of his horrendous atmosphere. Frankl is exposed to so much death and suffering that it seems his faith will totally be lost. However towards the end of his time at the camp, he begins to have major revelations about the effect his environment has on him. Frankl says “… I may give the impression that the human being is completely and unavoidably influenced by his surroundings. But what about human liberty?” (Man’s Search for Meaning p.86) At this point Frankl is starting to realize that it is up to the individual how much they let their atmosphere affect them. He may live in an undeniably awful situation, but Frankl has the free will to decide how much he can let the “where do live?” question impinge on him and his faith. Frankl’s realization that his free will is stronger than his surroundings is part of what makes him a true Jew.
Another question that Frankl wrestles with is that of “What’s around the corner?” He sees all...