Listen up

Posted on 10 February 2011 by LeslieM

Rabbi Erin Glazer, of Westfield, NJ, used to lead services at the Hebrew Association of the Deaf in Manhattan. The Rabbi points out that the Siddur (prayer book) that they use has translations with more meaning to those who cannot use their ears. Think about that for a moment; if you can’t hear, then what do the words, “Hear, Oh Israel” mean to you?

So, they took out the word “Hear” and inserted the words “Pay attention.” While I think that was a great switch, the sad part is that most of us who are able to hear simply don’t pay enough attention. We don’t pay attention to the prayer and we don’t pay attention to the Mitzvot. Sadly, there are far too many times we are guilty of being as hard-hearted as Pharaoh.

If I have your ear, if you are paying attention, let me teach you a lesson using opposites. What is the opposite of paying attention? Believe it or not, the opposite of paying attention is being inattentive … or in a state of inattention. Inattention refers to someone who is inconsiderate or unconcerned, as in, they don’t really give a “you know what” about anyone else. They see someone who is hungry and they could care less as long as they have food for themselves. They see someone who is cold and they could care less, as long as they have a coat or a blanket themselves.

And get this, which is what makes the words “Pay attention” such a perfect fit to the Shema — to be inattentive means “to turn a deaf ear.” Wow, that is exactly what we are talking about here.

Moshe Rabbenu gives us the laws of the Torah and we respond in unison, “We will do and we will … pay attention.” If we start by saying that we will do it, then why do we have to add we will pay attention? Let me go back to the example of someone who is deaf for a moment. How does someone who cannot hear know when someone is calling? How does someone who is deaf avoid being hit by a car that is speeding down the street? How does someone who is deaf know such simple things?

That’s right, they pay attention. They pay attention to a flashing light. They pay attention to what is around them. In some ways, a deaf person pays more attention to the world around them than many of us do. So to heed the commandments, we must pay attention. We must be ever-alert to the cries of those in need. We must be ever-watchful for signs of where we are needed, of places where we have the opportunity to be of help; and then, we must be willing to attend to those who are in need.

Heed the Shema my friends. Pay attention and attend to those in need. Pay attention. Are you listening?

Shalom My Friends,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring


Rabbi Ezring is a Hospice Chaplain and Member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains. He also provides Professional Pastoral Care Services to a number of health centers in Broward County.

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