Phantom of words

1. Literal Comprehension: Early every Friday morning, the Rabbi of Nemirov would go. So other people assembled for prayer said that he would go to heaven at the time. But, one a Litvak came and laughed. He did not believe on such baseless matter. So one night after evening prayers, the Litvak slid under the Rabbi's bed and waited. He remained there the whole night. At down the Rabbi woke up and groaned for whole hour to pray the God for the freedom of disease, pain and poverty of the people Israel. After that, he reached the jungle, he cut down a dead tree, made firewood, tied with the rope and took the bundle to the house of sick poor old widow Jew women who needed the firewood. He sold her the firewood on credit for six cents. The women were so weak then she could not make even the fire. So, the Rabbi made fire for her, when he put the firewood in the oven, he recited the first portion of the penitential prayers when the wood brunt brightly, he recited the second portion of penitential prayers and when there fire was set, the Rabbi recited the third portion and shut the stove.

The Litvak was observing his all activities. So he becomes the true disciple of the Rabbi. After that when other disciples said that the Rabbi would go to heaven at the time of penitential prayers, the Litvak didn't laugh. He only said quietly, 'If not higher.'

2. Interpretation: This is a moral story. It tells us about the path go to heaven. The Rabbi of Nemirov vanishes at the time of penitential prayers early Friday morning. He actually does not climb towards heaven but involves himself in the social service. The Litvak disbelieves the Rabbi in the beginning but at last, he becomes his disciples knowing that work is worship and social service is true way towards heaven.

3. Critical Thingking: This moral story is very much intersting and convincing. It is true that the real way to heaven is the work and social service. The Rabbi gives more importance to the selfless social service than to the prayers. I am also impressed by the Rabbi's true worship. Still some questions arise in my mind. How can the Litvak slip into the room of Rabbi and wake up the whole night without being noticed? How can he follow the Rabbi everywhere without being seen by him?

4. Assimilation: Before reading this story, I did not believe that the Rabbi would go to heaven. But after reading the story, I have realized that selfless service and the work are true worship and path towards heaven. Now I believe that the Rabbi climbs towards heaven, 'If not Higher.'