In Treblinka, you see a death camp in all its horror. Thousands of Jews are massacred and then burned each day. When the process slows down because there are too many Jews for the Germans to kill, some are buried alive. You cannot believe that people would act so inhumanly; even wild animals do not treat each other this way.
You notice that the Chasidim seem to go to their death with inner peace. Believing that this is part of God's plan or punishment for their sins, they die, so they say, for Kiddush Hashem. You wonder if God wants this sacrifice. Would it not be more pleasing in heaven if you were to live to praise the Lord! The more you think, the more you conclude that you must live. You will live; you will escape; you will tell the world of the horrors of Treblinka.
On Shabbat, the Nazis relax their guard. Jews are occupied with their prayers and would not escape on the holy Sabbath day. You take advantage of this lapse and, together with Josef Cyrankiewicz, you wiggle through a trench under the barbed wire fence. By the time the guards miss you the next morning, you are far away from the camp.
You know that, if you can get to Switzerland, you can tell your story to people who will listen. However, such a trip will be long and dangerous since it is through German-occupied territory. It might even be impossible. Perhaps it would be better if you stay in Poland and join a partisan unit.
If you choose to attempt the trip to Switzerland, continue to page 130.
If you decide to join the partisans, continue to page 131.