Posted on September 1, 2025 in Big Ideas from the Torah
Shalom Friends!
Remember that icebreaker question: which of the five senses would you choose to live without? Most of us value seeing over all the others.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z’’l teaches an insightful lesson about sight versus hearing.
Greece was a profoundly visual culture … It produced some of the greatest art, sculpture, and architecture the world has ever seen. Its most characteristic group events – theatrical performances, and the Olympic Games – were spectacles… Plato thought of knowledge as a kind of depth vision seeing beneath the surface to the true form of things.
Judaism offered a radical alternative. It is faith in a God we cannot see, a God who cannot be represented visually.
I love this insight because I love remembering the uniqueness and radicalness of Judaism at its inception. And I also love this insight because hearing is so essential to our spiritual lives.
The Book of Deuteronomy uses the word Sh’ma 91 times. Sh’ma appears in the prayer we know so well, Sh’ma Yisrael, but it also appears elsewhere as the key avenue for relating to God and our fellow humans.
One of my favorite midrashim (rabbinic commentaries) describes the deathbed scene of Jacob. He is surrounded by his sons. Jacob has blessed each son and given them a personal mission in their lives without him. And the sons respond: Sh’ma Yisrael – we hear you Israel. Israel was Jacob’s second given name after he wrestled with the angel. The sons honored their father by listening.
What a beautiful confirmation for Jacob that his life’s lessons have been heard and heeded.
Modern psychology coaches us to listen before speaking, to hear the other person’s point of view and most importantly, to listen to our own inner voice.
The Book of Deuteronomy is the original source of this wisdom. God’s presence was heard at Mt. Sinai, Moses’ leadership was heard through his speeches and the commandments. The mitzvah of reading the Torah itself, is based on hearing the holy words much more than seeing the scroll itself.
This Big Idea is especially relevant for our modern times when our attention is drawn to look at new stimulation every few seconds.
Thank you Rabbi Sacks and the Book of Deuteronomy for reminding us that hearing with an open heart, without judgement and full presence is one of the most precious gifts we can give each other and to ourselves.
Shabbat Shalom & Love,
Rabbi Amy
About Rabbi Rader
Rabbi Amy Rader is the Founder and Executive Director of the Neshamah Institute in Boca Raton, a vibrant Jewish community offering meaningful Jewish education for kids, Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation, High Holiday services, and inspiring Jewish events. Ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Rader brings over 25 years of experience helping families connect deeply with Judaism in modern, authentic ways.
