If Not Higher Four Levels and Question Answers
- I.L. Peretz (1852-1915)
Four Levels of If Not Higher 1.LITERAL COMPREHENSION:
'IF NOT HIGHER' is an ancient story written by I.L Peretz. it is based on religious practices. the rabbi of Nemerov used to disappear at the time of penitential prayers every Friday. he would not participate in any religious services, nor did he stay at home. the people of Nemerov thought that Rabbi ascended to heaven during the prayer in order to protect them from the evil eyes of Satan. but when a Litvak heard it, he laughed at people's misconception because he did not believe in such baseless Matter. he decided to find out where actually the rabbi vanish. The same night, he stole into the rabbi's room and hid himself under the bed and waited. he remained in the room for the whole night reciting Talmud to keep himself awake. Early in the morning, when it was time for the prayers, Litvak heard people hurrying out of their house. the rabbi wore farmer's dress, took an axe and a rope and moved out of the house. Litvak followed him secretly .Rabbi stopped near a small tree and began to cut it. Carrying the bundle of wood, he walked towards the suburb of the town. Litvak followed him with surprised. At last, the rabbi stopped in front of small house of a poor woman and persuaded her to buy the firewood. when the woman said she did not have money, he lent her firewood for only six cents. And also kindled the fire for her as she was too weak to do so herself. As the fire started burning, he recited the penitential players with a brighter face. The Litvak got impressed with the rabbi and became his disciple. after that whenever people said the rabbi of Nemerov ascended to heaven he did not laugh rather he said 'if not higher' that means the Rabbi has already reached the heaven through his benevolence.
2.INTERPRETATION:
The story may be trying to say that doing good deeds on earth as the rabbi did helping the poor and needy is more glorious than going to Heaven. it is the real Service to God. what the Rabbi deed is something greater than climbing to Heaven. the story may also have implied that it is never wise to make judgement about anyone without dose inspection. Yet, certain degree of doubt is necessary to know the truth. Litvak was able to recognize the rabbi's greatness because of his critical thinking while other people naively believed that rabbi ascended to Heaven.
3.CRITICAL THINKING:
This suggested story digs out the real nature of human beings. superstition in religious matter is common in people. however, some people like Litvak may use their critical thinking is such baseless matter. These points have made the story realistic. Yet, some ideas of the story cannot be own questionable. for example, rabbi's helps the woman in disguised form. why should he hide his identity for the good work? Why did not he teach people about true humanity? Why did he ask six cents with the old woman? How could Litvak follow the rabbi without being caught?
4.ASSIMILATION:
It is a very useful story to any religious people. it has made aware of those people who only become crazy to stone Gods with stone heart an inhuman behaviors. Seeing many people making a line in holy places having rough practical manner in real life, I realized that they are not getting the real favor of God. I learned this lesson after reading the story. the true service of God can be done helping needy and helpless people instead of going to the temples and churches.
************************************************************************* Question Answers of If not Higher
Q.1. "Doing good deeds on earth may be a more exalted activity than doing God's will in heaven." Explain this statement on the basis of the story "If Not Higher."
OR,
"Service to humanity is the best way to get the favor of God." Explain this statement on the basis of the story "If Not Higher."
ANSWER: This religious story "If Not Higher" might be trying to point out the real essence of any religion. Real worship is to help needy ones for their betterment. Generally, people want to be religious only going to holy places and praying to religious deities, but they don't have humanity to do service to helpless people. Only visiting to holy places and reciting religious books is nothing. But it is true that when people apply the religious message of holy books into practical life, it is the norms of real religion. Thus, the more we serve to the humanity and needy people, the more pleasure we receive
In this story. Rabbi serves human beings helping a poor, helpless and sick Jewish woman. He is reciting prayer with the service to helpless woman without going to synagogue. The action and support for ready and helpless people are far more worthwhile. Likewise, the statement of late poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota we can't find God in temples and other religious places is very contextual here. But we have to understand the agonies of helpless people and put the ointment in aching wounds. Thus, human service is the best path to have full favor of God and source of complete pleasure. Undoubtedly, the same spirit of human service is highlighted in this story, too.
Q.2. Explain whether the Litvak is a critical thinker. In your views, does he carry his skepticism too far? Why and why not?
ANSWER: In my opinion, Litvak is a real critical thinker. He does not trust on blind concept until it has proof. This means, like other prayers he is not in dilemma about where Rabbi has gone. Other people think Rabbi has gone to heaven or other places. Litvak wants to prove what is the reality. He is not doubtful about this concept rather he wants to find out the truth, where the Rabbi really goes. On the time of penitential prayer, Litvak secretly follows to Rabbi. He hides under the bed. He observes what Rabbi does whole night. In the early morning, he sees Rabbi wearing farmer's dress, goes into jungle and makes a bundle of firewood. He also observes his kind words and work done with old sick Jewish widow. Observing everything very closely, Litvak decides to be Rabbi's disciple.
In short, we can conclude that Litvak is really a critical thinker. He never believes what other prayers do and does not get satisfied until he has got the reality and become Rabbi's disciple. He is the best example of a critical thinker
The Litvak is a critical thinker, who is guided by his reason. If he was not a critical thinker, he would have easily believed on other people who were in illusion that the Rabbi had gone to heaven. Being a critical thinker, he brought the reality in front of people at last.
Q.3. Summarize the story "If Not Higher" in a single sentence.
ANSWER: Services to needy and helpless people are far better than praying and reciting religious mantras, visiting religious places and offering various things in the name of gods and deities.
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