Va’etchanan

Va’etchanan is the second parashah in Devarim – where we re-visit the Aseret Dibrot and the Shema – words to live by. I spoke last Shabbat about word – all the many words of our canon and all the words in our subsequent writings. This week we learn to listen, to make time for inner quietude, to listen from our deepest core.

Millenia before therapists were counselling active listening, God gave us this very simple six-word statement.

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְיָ אֶחָד

Sh’ma Yisra’eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.

How do we hear these words today? Come to shul on Friday evening. Mark Pressler is going to speak about these words that he deeply loves. Let’s listen.