A Wide Open Story

An old Jewish legend tells the story of a renowned rabbi who disappeared from the synagogue for a few hours each Sabbath day. His mysterious conduct was the subject of much speculation among the rabbi’s students. Many of them suspected that their great mentor had discovered a secret meeting place with the Almighty. Consequently, one Sabbath day they agreed that one of them would secretly follow him. The designated student watched in amazement as his great teacher put on the coarse clothing of a beggar. Then he followed the older man through the back streets of the city and saw him enter a humble shack. He peered through the only window and watched in wonder as his spiritual leader tended to the needs of an elderly invalid man — changing his clothes, cleaning his room, preparing his meal. When he had seen enough, the student returned to the synagogue where the others were eagerly waiting with their questions: “What Happened? Did he ascend into heaven?”…