TU || Flax Golden Tales || Four Levels of Comprehension || Lesson 5

Flax Golden Tales, To know fly

Level: BA/BBS || Subject: Flax Golden Tales

Lesson: 5 If Not Higher

I.L. Peretz, Poland (1852-1915)

Word Meaning

Vanish = Disappear

Denounce = Rebuke

Stuff = Law of Jews

Ascend = Go up

Shrugging = Ignore by 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 cup board

Peasant = Farmer

Hang over = Be about to happen

Hush = Silent

Once in while = Sometimes

A wood = Jungle

Chop = Cut into pieces

Shove = Insert

Reproachfullly = Rebuking

Kindle = Make fire

Accent = Pronunciation

Miserable Pathetic

Mighty = Powerful

Portion = Part

Disciples = Student

Judaism = Religion of Jewish people based on Bible and Talmun

Gemarah = Part of Talmud, commentary on Jewish religion

Wrapped = Covered

Summary

This legend was from 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 Rabbi had much to do in service of human beings. A Litvak 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. 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 he jungle. Litvak was also following him. When Rabbi reached in the jungle, Rabbi started to make firewood. Then making 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 up to the steps of heaven where Moses was left suspended if not higher.

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Four Levels of Interpretation

  1. Literal Comprehension:

The story was written by Polish writer. I.L Peretz. In this story, he describes the humanistic service of Rabbi of Nemirov. This legend was from 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 Rabbi had much to do in service of human beings. A Litvak had 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 bundle of firewood he gave the firewood to and 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 use dot 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 up to the steps of heaven where Moses was left suspended if not higher.

  1. 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 in traditional way. God loves him or her who loves fellow people. As the Rabbi helped the old window woman bringing her firewood from the jungle.

  1. Critical Thinking:

The Litvak was very skeptical in 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 feeling of humanity. The Rabbi believed on that truth. He was crying in agony of others. He was cutting wood for helpless widow. So he was in the service of mankind rather than foiing to penitential prayer.

  1. Assimilation:

When I read this story I remembered late poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s poem ‘Yattri’. In this poem he also suggested us 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:

  1. Why did the Litvak believe that his Guru, Rabbi will get a good plae in heaven?
  2. What is it’s moral message for us?

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