A folktale about the disappearing rabbi

According to the tale, the Rabbi of Nemirov, who was a much beloved spiritual leader in his community, would disappear every year prior to Kol Nidre, the holiest night on the Jewish calendar. And every year, as the entire community would gather together for the service, their beloved Rabbi was nowhere to be found. The first few times it happened, the community was worried. Maybe something happened. Maybe he fell ill. They checked his home, they checked the study hall, but no one could find him, and no one would dare approach the Rabbi, once he returned, and ask what happened.

But as this occurred year after year, the congregation began to wonder – and rumors began to spread – the townspeople reached what seemed to them to be the only logical explanation for the Rabbi’s disappearance – that every year, instead of coming to Selichot Services at the temple, their Rabbi went directly up to Heaven, carrying the prayers of the entire community, and pleading for forgiveness directly before God.

The Rabbi from Nemirov’s Holy Mission became legendary. It was expected, and a source of pride to all of his people. Until one day a skeptical visitor came to the community, heard about the Rabbi’s journey, but refused to believe that the Rabbi was doing something so remarkable. So the following year, the day before Kol Nidre, he hid behind the Rabbi’s house, and waited to see where the Rabbi was really going in hopes of disproving what he believed to be a preposterous story. Late that evening, he watched, as the Rabbi rose from his bed, and instead of getting ready for the service, he dressed like a peasant, and with his axe in hand, walked out the door. The visitor followed close behind as the Rabbi walked to the edge of town, through the forest, and slowly began to cut down a small tree, and gather a bundle of wood.

All the while the visitors looked on, very pleased, but intrigued, sure that he had caught the Rabbi in a lie, but not quite ready yet to expose him as a fraud. He continued to watch from a safe distance, as the Rabbi walked further into the woods until he stopped at an old, decrepit, cabin. The Rabbi knocked on the door – an old woman answered – who is it? It is I, Vasil, said the Rabbi, selling wood for really cheap – just a few shekels.

Not interested, shouted the old woman. I couldn’t even afford a few shekels, and even if I could, I cannot get out of my bed. Who would light my fire? As the visitor looked on in amazement, the Rabbi walked in anyway, gave her the wood, and lit the fire. He assured her that he was a man of faith, and that somehow, he would get paid back for his services. All the while humming to himself parts of the Kol Nidre service.

The next year, the visitor returned to Nemirov, to the Rabbi’s synagogue for the holidays, and when he heard the townspeople explain that the Rabbi was not there because he went to Heaven on their behalf, the visitor quickly jumped in, assuring them that they were wrong. He said the Rabbi didn’t go to Heaven. He believed that the Rabbi had gone even higher.

As we journey through High Holy Day season together, it is my hope, that like the Rabbi of Nemirov, we can all ascend to new heights.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year. May we all be inscribed in the Book of Life.

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Rabbi Joshua Dorsch is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue.  He may be contacted via joshua.dorsch@sdjewishworld.com