Neb English Support Class 12
If Not Higher Summary | Ancient Tales | Flax Golden Tales | Four Levels of Interpretation | BBA / BBS First Year
If Not Higher by II. Peretz
SUMMARY OF THE STORY
If Not Higher by IL Peretz
This short story "If Not Higher" is the altruism story that has been written by 'Il Peretz'. Here in this story, every early Friday morning at the time of penitential prayers, the Rabbi of Nemirov (the priest and religious guru of their society) would disappear. People in that place would think that he went to heaven at that time. But a Litvak didn't believe the act of the Rabbi. He decided to find the truth behind it. He secretly went to the Rabbi's room that same night after the evening prayers. Litvak secretly wanted to find out the Rabbi's activities during the time of penitential prayers.
He remained under the rabbit's bed the whole night. The next morning, during the time of penitential prayers, Rabbi took out some clothes, a bundle of peasant clothes, an axe, and a rope. Later, he went out of town, and Litvak started following him secretly.
Out of the town, Rabbi cut a tree, made a bundle of wood, and returned to the town. Then he stopped behind a small house, and he went to that house. There was a poor room with broken, miserable furnishings and an old, sick woman wrapped in rags lying on the bed. Then he sold those woods at the very lowest price and also helped to burn the fire. While burning brightly, he recited different types of portions of penitential prayers. After seeing all the activities of the Rabbi of Nemirov, Litvak was quite impressed. He secretly followed him earlier, being doubtful, but later became his disciple.
FOUR LEVELS OF INTERPRETATION
If Not Higher by IL Peretz
Literal Comprehension
This short story was extracted from the Jews' religion. According to the story, during penitential prayers on early Friday, the Rabbi of Nemirov was found absent. His absence was quite remarkable and noticeable. People had a belief that Rabbis had much to do in the service of human beings. But Litvak had doubts about it. He wanted to find out the truth. So Litvak hid himself under the cot in the Rabbi's hut. During the nighttime, Rabbi groaned in agony. He noticed sores on his body. Litvak was quite surprised. After some time, the Rabbi prepared himself to go out. He took out an axe and rope and went towards the jungle. Litvak also followed him. When Rabbi reached the jungle, he started to cut firewood. After making a bundle of firewood, he moved towards an old house. He gave the firewood to an old, sick woman and helped her light the fire. He also started reciting penitential prayers there. Finally, Litvak realised the true service of the Rabbi.
In this way, being absent from the prayers, Rabbi used to help poor people. Litvak was sure now that the Rabbi was like their teacher, Moses. Litvak, who took care of the Rabbi's overall activities being doubtful, became his disciple because he knew that Rabbi ascended to the steps of heaven, where Moses was left suspended, if not higher.
Interpretation
The story tells us that heaven is there, where one finds pleasure in helping the poor, sick, and old. The true spirit of religion is to help miserable people who are in real need. It isn't only limited to going to temples and churches and worshipping or praying to gods and goddesses. One can please God by helping the helpless and miserable.
Critical Thinking
This religious story has raised some doubts within me. In this story, it is shown that a religious leader goes to help a sick and old woman at the time of prayer. Can it be possible to find such a kind and helpful person in this materialistic world? It has also been stated that heaven is high in the sky. Is there really heaven in the sky? Next, it is also said that one can get heavenly pleasure by serving others or by sacrificing one's pleasures. For others, can one apply it to their lives?
Assimilation
This story has impressed me a lot. It has also taught me a good lesson. Before reading this story, my thinking regarding heaven was quite different. I used to think that people moved to heaven only after their deaths.
But now, I realise that heaven is also here on this planet. Satisfaction is one of the great achievements of this life. I also have a keen desire now to serve miserable and helpless people and reach heaven like a Rabbi.
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