A Moment in Time: Shema/ Listen!

Dear all,

Our Torah portion this week, Va-etchanan, contains the central prayer in Judaism:

שמע ישראל יי אלוהנו יי אחד
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheini Adonai Echad
Listen, Israel (descendants of Jacob) Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.

Without getting onto the theology, I want to focus on the word …  Shema/ Listen.

Do we make the time to listen more than we talk?
When a baby cries, can we hear the sound of holiness?
When an older adult shares a story, are we present?
When a sea shell whispers the music of the waves, are we mindful?
When a loved one needs us, but isn't able to use words, are we there?

Shema Yisrael – make a moment in time to listen, descents of Jacob, and
learn to embrace as One.

Rabbi Zach Shapiro