Is it not the highest blessing?
Who is there that does not long for death?
Death is the greatest blessing, the chief desire of man--the highest aim.

And you--are you not to be envied in having your felicity so near?
above all, in having such a death as that which is appointed for you--so noble, so sublime?
You must be mad; your happiness has turned your head." All this seemed like hideous mockery, and I stared at the Kohen with a gaze that probably strengthened his opinion of my madness.
"Do you love death ?" I asked at length, in amazement.
"Love death?
What a question! Of course I love death--all men do; who does not?
Is it not human nature?
Do we not instinctively fly to meet it whenever we can?
Do we not rush into the jaws of sea-monsters, or throw ourselves within their grasp?
Who does not feel within him this intense longing after death as the strongest passion of his heart ?" "I don't know--I don't know," said I."You are of a different race; I do not understand what you say.

But I belong to a race that fears death.

I fear death and love life; and I entreat you, I implore you to help me now in my distress, and assist me so that I may save my life and that of Almah." "I--I help you!" said the Kohen, in new amazement.

"Why do you come to me--to me, of all men?
Why, I am nothing here.