This is the predicament of man. All souls descend a ladder from heaven to this world. Then the ladders are taken away. Once they are in this world, they are called upon from heaven to rise, to come back. It is a call that goes out again and again. Each soul seeks the ladder in order to ascend above; but the ladder cannot be found. Most people make no effort to ascend, claiming, How can one rise to heaven without a ladder ? However, there are souls which resolve to leap upwards, without a ladder. So they jump and fall down. They jump and fall down, until they stop.

Wise people think that since no ladder exists, there must be another way. We must face the challenge and act. Be what it may, one must leap until God in his mercy, makes exulatation come about.

A.J.Heschel , On Prayer, in Moral Grandeur and Spiritual Audacity,  FS&G, pp. 265 - 266