The SHEMA… our call to listen
The V’ahavta prayer… our reminder we are all DIVINE even as we are HUMAN… and we create our personal reality, our made up stories become our reality — we have the power to go to source for our reality rather than let our reality be dictated by external events.
Dear Esteemed Jewish Thought Leaders,
Today, I write to you with a heart filled with reverence for the invaluable wisdom embedded within our sacred texts — the Torah. In these times of complexity and conflict, I urge us to delve into the deeper meanings and timeless lessons offered by our daily prayers and the stories passed down through generations.
Let us begin with the essence of our morning recitation, the Shema. Its profound message isn’t merely about vocalizing words; it’s an invocation to listen — not with our physical senses, but with our inner being. Our five senses often weave stories about our external reality, shaping our beliefs and perceptions. However, these stories, as real as they seem, stem from our ego and are subject to interpretation, leading two individuals to witness the same event yet perceive it differently.
Our challenge lies in recognizing that our sensory experiences might be our false idols, confining us to an external reality that might not always align with a deeper truth. Through meditation and reflection, we have the opportunity to shut out these sensory inputs momentarily and seek a profound truth that emanates from within.
The V’ahavta prayer beautifully echoes this sentiment, reminding us to love the Divine with our entirety because we are all divine creatures, fashioned in the image of God. If we’re commanded to recite this daily, it might be to reiterate the crucial lesson of self-love as a reflection of our divine nature — a reminder that we are interconnected beings of the same universal essence.
Consider the stories of Cain and Abel or Abraham’s binding of Isaac — echoes of human history filled with conflicts and sacrifices. These narratives symbolize the consequences of being misled by ego, stories, and emotions, leading to divisions and irrational actions.
Our plea today is for a pause — a call for leaders in positions of power to slow down, to meditate deeply, and to listen — not to the clamor of emotions or external pressures but to the echoes of our shared humanity and the profound teachings encapsulated within our sacred texts.
As guardians of wisdom and bearers of a legacy steeped in morality and compassion, let us explore these stories not as mere recountings of the past but as mirrors reflecting the enduring truths of our interconnectedness and divine nature. Let these interpretations guide us in shaping policies that resonate with the deeper ethos of the Torah — a call for unity, empathy, and understanding.
In humility and hope,
Dr Tina Koopersmith