The biblical command to serve God "with all your heart" is interpreted by Jewish tradition to refer to prayer. In this Yom Kippur story, the congregants are not praying with intent, mindfulness, and sincerity. The rabbi recognizes this and chooses not to continue the service as it is drawing to an end. It is only when a boy who does not know how to pray in Hebrew but uses his beautiful melody as his prayer to God that the gates of heaven open so that prayer service can continue. The story is a reminder that when praying what God wants from us is one's heart, soul, and might.