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Rabbi Jack Reimer relates this story: Stephen Spielberg once gave a two hour interview to a television audience of aspiring actors and directors. At the end of the program, he was asked the following final question: “I’ve heard that you put great emphasis on being able to listen. Why?”
Spielberg answered, “When I was a little boy, I learned a very important Hebrew prayer called the Shema. Besides its religious message, it says to me: don’t just listen to everybody else’s voices, loud voices that want you to listen to them. You must also listen to a voice that comes from inside yourself…as soft as a whisper, and even softer. Find time to hear it.”
Spielberg’s message is that we if don’t listen to that voice inside ourselves, we’ll lose so many opportunities to learn about oneself and how to grow. We’re so busy listening to everybody else’s shouting that we don’t listen to our own whispers, which have so many important things to tell us.
Surely each of us has our own G-d story to tell. Sometimes they are inspirational stories of actually sensing G-d by one’s side during a time of crisis. Other stories are ones of feeling abandoned by G-d.
Rabbi Yehuda Alter of Ger, the Chassidic Master, teaches us that all we need to experience G-d’s presence in this world is the depth and sincerity of human desire. That desire has resided in our hearts ever since we heard G-d speak at Mt. Sinai. That memory can be covered over or forgotten but it is never erased. By opening our hearts to welcome G-d, we can experience G-d’s presence.
And how does G-d know when we have opened our hearts in welcome? The Alter Ger teaches us that it’s in the performance mitzvot, good deeds. Every time we perform acts of charity or deeds of lovingkindness, we open our hearts to that experience of having G-d’s very real presence in our lives.
Have a wonderful, safe summer. If you are traveling, go in peace and return in peace.
B'Shalom,
Debbie Israel, Acting Rabbi
Congregation Emeth
831-476-5235; cell 713-444-8111
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Photo courtesy of the Van Zantes, Santa Cruz
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Debbie Israel is a fifth year Rabbinic student at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR)-CA, in Los Angeles, a transdenominational academy that trains its students to become spiritual leaders serving all Jews and Jewish movements.
In addition to her rabbinic knowledge and training, Rabbi Debbie has an extensive understanding of the synagogue, expertise working with volunteers, and a lifetime career as a Jewish educator. As a professional and as a volunteer, she served in many Jewish institutions, including being president of her 500-member synagogue, Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, Texas. Prior to entering Rabbinical school, she was Regional Director of Jewish Women International and co-publisher, managing editor and writer of Noah’s Ark, an international newspaper for Jewish children, which had over a million readers.
She has received many honors and awards, including: “Outstanding Alumnus” (B’nai B’rith Girls National Award); “Distinguished Service to Jewish Education” (the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Houston); and “Rising Star Award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement (B’nai B’rith Women International).
Rabbi Debbie can be reached by email. Click here to go to our contact page.
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