Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism

Member Login
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Get To Know Us
    • HCRJ Photo Gallery
    • Our Rabbi
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board Of Trustees
  • Worship with us
    • High Holy Days
    • Shabbat Services
    • Family Shabbat
    • Special Shabbats
    • Havdalah
  • Connect with Us
    • Contact HCRJ
    • Find Us
    • Media
    • Connect with Our Friends
    • All Rabbi’s Messages
      • Monthly Messages
      • Weekly Reflections
  • Learning
    • Religious School
      • Philosophy
      • Registration
      • Calendar
      • Meet Mike Mason
      • Special Programs
      • Pictures
    • Youth Learning
      • HOUSTY
      • URJ Greene Family Camp
      • Prayer Library
    • Adult Learning
      • Jews around the World
      • Film Screenings
      • Tacos and Torah
      • Lunch with the Rabbi
      • Book Discussions
      • Jewish/Muslim Christmas
      • Basic Judaism
      • Marriage and Merlot
  • Social
    • Groups
      • Social Action
      • Senior Chai
      • Boomers and Friends
    • Events
      • Bingo
      • Mah Jongg Game Day
      • New and Prospective Member Shabbat
      • HCRJ Open Golf Tournament
      • Cars, Coffee & Conversation
      • Bark Mitzvah
      • Interest Group
      • HCRJ at the Astros
  • Calendar/Events
  • Membership

The Sacred Act of Listening

October 1, 2017 by Justin Deutsch

The art of listening is somewhat of a selfless endeavor. In order to conceptualize the broadest understanding of the narratives which unfold around us, we must begin with a mindset which focuses more on others and less on the self.  This is critical because the more we take in regarding our surroundings, the better chance we have at accomplishing what we hope to achieve.

How often do we find ourselves so caught up in our work, so focused on a task, so frustrated by a situation that we fail to see important cues regarding the broader aspects of a business decision or completely overlook the needs of our families?  How often do we formulate our opinions of others before we allow ourselves to consider the complexities of their stories?  How often do we jump to conclusions about the situations we encounter every day without taking the time to adequately assess the bigger picture?

Our blindness to important details can impact how we interact with everyone and everything we encounter every day, but the more we strive to get the entire picture, the more we try to observe the world with objectivity and reason and the more questions we ask in the process, the more likely it is that we will respond in the best way possible.

This is one of the primary goals of the High Holy Days.  This season encourages us to see things in a new way.  We are invited to see the world as God sees the world, as a judge – hearing, weighing and pondering the stories our lives.

Improving our abilities to read the narratives unfolding around us takes practice.  It demands effort.  It requires being in the moment.  It involves asking more questions and making fewer assumptions.  It means that we need to become more sensitive, more empathic, and far more aware of the constantly changing realities which surround us every minute of every day.

There is a blessing that is recited every morning in observant Jewish communities which translates as follows: Blessed are You,  Eternal our God, Ruling Spirit of the Universe who opens the eyes of the blind.

The recitation of this morning prayer is set in our tradition as a reminder to begin each morning with the removal of the blindfolds which may hinder our daily interactions.  It is a mindset which seeks to shift our interactions from a self-centered perspective to a perspective which begins with the needs of others.  As we begin the year anew, let us strengthen our resolve to see the world with this outward mindset by removing our blindfolds, opening our eyes and considering more information before we act.

 

Filed Under: All Rabbi's Messages, Monthly Messages

Rabbi’s Message Categories

  • All Rabbi’s Messages
  • Weekly Reflections
  • Monthly Messages
  • Sermons
  • Religious School
  • Events
  • Monthly Bulletins
  • Find Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Membership
  • Member Login

801 Bering Drive | Houston, Texas 77057 | Phone: 713-782-4162| Fax: 713-782-4167| hcrj@hcrj.org

Copyright © 2021 Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism All Rights Reserved

Website Development by Levy Marketing Group