Deep Listening – Shema
One of the most important theologically charged statements in the Bible, which is recited perhaps 4-5 times a day by the Observant Jews is the ‘Shema’.
the first word of the Shema – is the word Shema – and it simply means LISTEN!!!
It itself is a profoundly important and potentially life altering message from the author of the Bible – Moses – God etc..
The primary theological step we are compelled by the Shema is to learn how to listen.
(Loosely paraphrasing the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe:) ‘Listening means having room in oneself for another, for Other, internal; mental, emotional and spiritual space for the existence of another being and another opinion, even one that is completely different to your own.’
The ‘Ethics of our Fathers’ teaches us ‘who is wise those that learn from everyone’.
Then they go on to say that anyone you learn from you must treat them with the same respect that you would the Divine Presence!
The point is, each and every human being has something to say about theology, and Jews, by virtue of their ontologically divine nature (according to the Alter Rebbe – every Jew is a part of God [although God doesn’t have parts]) have something to say about Jewish theology no matter their religious affiliation, level of intellectual honesty or otherwise.
