Night, Chapter 7

In Chapter Eight, Chlomo contracts dysentery and suffers greatly. His mind and strength rapidly deteriorate. Days later, Chlomo fails to recognize Elie as he passes him. A few days thereafter, Chlomo whispers to Elie the location of hidden gold in the family cellar, having received a momentary burst of energy and clarity. Then, his father begins to immediately have trouble breathing. A surgeon refuses to treat him. Elie compares his own attitude toward Chlomo with that of Rabbi Eliahou's disloyal son.

The head of the block advises Elie to think of himself, eat both rations of food, and leave his father to die. Inwardly, Elie consents but quickly chastises himself with guilt. Because his father continues to call out to Elie, an officer whacks him with a billy club, shattering his skull. Elie, too weary to keep watch, goes to sleep in an upper bunk. On January 29, Elie discovers another invalid occupies Chlomo’s bunk. He assumes his father has died or has been killed and disposed of in the crematory. Elie recalls his father's final word was "Eliezer." Too disillusioned to cry, Elie understands Chlomo’s death freed him from the dangerous burden of looking after him.