Who Is Your Teacher?

This is the tale of a rabbi who spent his whole life studying and teaching Torah. As he became a well-known and beloved teacher, he started to think highly of himself. One day he had a dream that he was visited by an angel, who predicted that, in the "world to come," a local baker would be appointed as his heavenly attendant. Disappointed in what he perceived as her lowly status, he sought out the baker… and made a surprising discovery. This story, retold by Rabbi Leora Kaye, will make you stop and think about who your teachers are, and how you see yourself and others. You can find a version of this story in The jewish Story Finder, entitled, A Worthy Companion on page 83.