Summary
This legend was from the Jew’s religion. According to the story, during penitential prayer, the Rabbi of Nemirov was found absent. His absence was more remarkable and noticeable. People believed that the Rabbi had much to do in the service of human beings. A Litvak doubts. He wanted to find out the reality so he did himself under the cot in Rabbi’s hut. At night Rabbi groaned in agony. There could be seen sores in his body. The Litvak surprised. After sometimes Rabbi prepared to go out. He took an axe and rope and went towards the jungle. Litvak was also following him. When Rabbi reached in the jungle, Rabbi started to make firewood. Then making a bundle of firewood, he gave the firewood to an old sick woman and helped to light fire and started reciting penitential prayers. The Litvak realized the true service of the Rabbi.
In this way being absent from the
prayers, he used to help poor people. He was sure now that the Rabbi was like
their teacher Moses. Litvak who was watching all the activities of Rabbi, became
his disciple because he knew that Rabbi ascended to the steps of heaven where
Moses was left suspended if not higher.
Four Levels of Interpretation
Literal Comprehension:
The story was written by a Polish
writer. I.L Peretz. In this story, he describes the humanistic service of Rabbi
of Nemirov. This legend was from the Jew’s religion. According to the story,
during penitential prayer, the Rabbi of Nemirov was found absent. His absence
was more remarkable and noticeable. People believed that the Rabbi had much to
do in the service of human beings. A Litvak had a doubt. He wanted to find out
the reality so he did himself under the cot in Rabbi’s hut. At night Rabbi
groaned in agony. Then could be seen sores in his body. The Litvak surprised.
After sometimes Rabbi prepared to go out. He took an axe and rope and went
towards the jungle. Litvak was also following him. When Rabbi reached in the
jungle, Rabbi started to make firewood. Then making a bundle of firewood he
gave the firewood to an old sick woman and helped to light fire and started
reciting penitential prayers. The Litvak realized the true service of the
Rabbi. In this way being absent from the prayers, he uses a dot to help poor
people. He was sure now that the Rabbi was like their teacher's Moses. Litvak,
who was watching all the activities of Rabbi, became his disciple because he
knew that Rabbi ascended up to the steps of heaven where Moses was left
suspended if not higher.
Interpretation:
The legend is religious in theme as
well as moral in meaning. He says that true worship to God is by serving the
poor creatures. It is better than going to pray God traditionally. God loves
him or her who loves fellow people. As the Rabbi helped the old window woman
bringing her firewood from the jungle.
Critical Thinking:
The Litvak was very skeptical of his
thinking. Because the Rabbi always escaped from the penitential prayer. People
had different opinions about the Rabbi. But I don’t think God can be obtained
by going to temples. I think God can be obtained by helping poor helpless
people; God doesn’t want admiration or praise. We should have a feeling of
humanity. The Rabbi believed in that truth. He was crying in the agony of
others. He was cutting wood for a helpless widow. So he was in the service of
mankind rather than foiling to penitential prayer.
Assimilation:
When I read this story, I remembered
late poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s poem ‘Yattri’. In this poem, he also suggested
that there is no need to go to temples, churches, mosques to visit God. He says
that God can be found in the service of poor, helpless people. He advises us to
massage the sores of poor people.
Possible questions:
What is it’s the moral message for
us?
Word Meaning
Vanish = Disappear
Denounce = Rebuke
Stuff = Law of Jews
Ascend = Go up
Shrugging = Ignore by the rising shoulder
Drowsy = Sleepy
Dawn = Early morning
Groan = Cry of sorrow
Mumble = To speak unclearly
Stubborn = Very bad person
Quivered = Trembled
Befit = Suit
Studded = Covered
Dangle = Hang
Trifle = Mean
Closet = Small room or cupboard
Peasant = Farmer
Hangover = Be about to happen
Hush = Silent
Once in while = Sometimes
A wood = Jungle
Chop = Cut into pieces
Shove = Insert
Reproachfully = Rebuking
Kindle = Make a fire
Accent = Pronunciation
Miserable Pathetic
Mighty = Powerful
Portion = Part
Disciples = Student
Judaism = Religion of Jewish people based on the Bible and Talmun
Gemarah = Part of Talmud, commentary on Jewish religion
Wrapped = Covered
Reviewed by Bijay Munikar
on
August 12, 2020
Rating:
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