“Eloquent silence often is better than eloquent speech.”

– Leo Rosten’s Treasury of Jewish Quotations

“If a word be worth one sheckel, silence is worth two.”

–Talmud: Megillah, 18a

Last night in the mall, they  happened to be playing one of the most famous of Christmas songs. It was called “The Sounds of Silence.” No, that  was Paul Simon. This one was called “Silent Night.”

The truth is that silence is talked about in Scripture. “There is a time for every purpose under heaven” and you had better believe that there is a time for silence. The other day, I was watching two workers set up a long ladder to do some painting. As one of them was climbing the ladder, the other suddenly called out, “Be careful” and the one on the ladder looked down and darned-near fell off the ladder. That was a time that silence would have been the wise call. But later, on his way back down, his companion yelled out, “Be careful” and it was a good thing because he had left a can of paint in the middle of one of the rungs on his way up the ladder.

There is a time to call out. But, there is also a time for silence. It seems people have forgotten about the importance of silence. Perhaps modern technology has been partially to blame. If you have been to a funeral lately, you know that we have to announce for people to turn off their cell phones. And I’m sure you’ve heard those phones ring at movies and concerts and, I would not be surprised if you have heard them go off in the midst of your Minister’s sermon.

I was officiating at a wedding the other day and, in the middle of this incredible ceremony where two people bind their hearts and souls together in the gift of love, the groom’s phone rang … and do you know what? He actually took the call.

So today I am proposing a new custom for Jewish wedding ceremonies and for all other faith’s weddings as well. I am proposing that at the end of the ceremony we don’t just break a glass. I think that a cell phone should be stomped on as well.

Let it be a reminder that there are times they should stop listening to and conversing with others and simply take time to listen to and talk to our spouse. Otherwise, your marriage will be like the glass. It will be broken and unable to be put back together.

There is a time for silence … Silence is golden!

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.