Heaven Through Compassion: Rabbi's Lesson on Service

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If Not Higher

Literal Comprehension

Early every Friday morning, at the time of penitential prayer, the Rabbi of Nemirov disappeared. He wasn't found at home either. People thought he went to heaven at that time. But a Litvak didn't believe it. He decided to find the truth. He secretly went to the Rabbi's room and watched every activity of the Rabbi during the night before Friday. The next morning, the Rabbi left home as a peasant outside the city. The Litvak secretly followed him. In the forest, he chopped a tree and made a bundle of sticks. He came back to the city with the bundle of sticks and sold it to a sick Jewish woman on credit. He also helped to build the fire. While tending the fire, he recited different portions and penitential prayers. The Litvak was impressed by the Rabbi's actions and became his disciple.

Interpretation

This story suggests that heaven is found where one finds pleasure in helping the poor, sick, and elderly. The true spirit of religion is to help others. It isn't limited to going to temples and churches to worship or pray to gods and goddesses. One can please God by helping the helpless.

Critical Thinking

This religious story raises some doubts in my mind. In the story, it is said that a religious leader goes to help a sick and old woman at the time of prayer.

• Is it possible for a mortal to go to heaven while he is still alive?
• Can we really find such a person in this materialistic world?
• It also talks about heaven high in the sky. Is there really heaven?
• Next, it says one can get heavenly pleasure by serving others or by sacrificing one’s pleasures. For others, can we really apply this in our lives?
• Do modern people believe in the existence of God and heaven?
• How could he follow the Rabbi everywhere without being noticed? Did he even hide under the Rabbi's bed the whole night?

Assimilation

This story has impressed me a lot and has also taught a good lesson. Before reading this story, I used to think only about heaven where one can go after death. But now I know that heaven is also here on Earth. I have a great desire now to serve humanity and reach heaven like the Rabbi.