Full inefficiency

The sigh which tears itself out of his coronary heart reminds Michel that he himself is rising weaker and weaker; and that the age of full inefficiency is already con-fronting him. He has not energy sufficient to wield the iron decide with which he breaks the earth. And there’s no baby to inherit his job.

“Reb Michel, Reb Michel, open the doorl” a hoarse voice is heard on the skin.

Michel opens the door and in comes Berke, messenger of the Chevrah Kadishah, respiration closely. In his proper hand he carries a thick stick; in his left, a smoky lantern; and on his ft, piles of snow.

“Zise the Chapper died final night time,” the messenger relates. “I used to be with him to the final minute, till he turned towards the wall. I inform you, Reb Michel, such a tough loss of life I haven’t seen for a protracted very long time. A number of hours he wrangled with—”

“Wrangled, did he?” Michel interposes. “Did he torture himself greater than he as soon as tortured little youngsters whom he took in opposition to their will from father and mom and turned over to gentile arms?”

Chevrah Kadishah

“However why should you recall outdated sins?” admonishes Berke. “Anyhow, now he deserves that we do him honor. In his will he has left appreciable for charity; and his household has remembered the Chevrah Kadishah as effectively. There shall be sufficient to make a celebration for us. My objective, in short, in coming right here is to inform you to dig the grave close to that of the outdated rabbi. And should you’ve got a nice day.”

As quickly as Michel notes the primary glow of daylight, he recites his morning prayers; after which he takes his instruments— the decide and shovel—and goes to work.

“My God, the soul which Thou hast given unto me got here pure from Thee,” Michel chants, and within the crackling of the fireplace he appears to listen to a response from the lifeless.

He passes by way of the rows of graves, and although they’re lined with snow, every grave stands out distinctly earlier than his thoughts’s eye—every tombstone with its epitaph. He is aware of all who lie buried as if they stood earlier than him within the full flush of life. Now he has come to the place the place Zise the Chapper will And his everlasting relaxation. Michel builds a hearth to thaw out the bottom. He warms himself and recites psalms in his typical subdued tone.