The story has it that at the end of an extensive two-hour interview to an audience of aspiring actors and directors, the acclaimed film director, producer and screenwriter, Steven Spielberg, was asked one last question by a young woman in the audience. She said: “I’ve heard that you put great emphasis on being able to listen. Why?”
He answered as follows: “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 within yourself…as soft as a whisper, and even softer. Find time to hear it.”
When we gather tonight at 7:30pm for our Erev Rosh HaShanah service, with our gold-covered machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, in hand, remind yourself of this simple but very important message. Try as hard as you can – I know that it’s much easier said than done – to filter out the extraneous noise and chatter (clutter?!) around you and, instead, try to discover the most authentic, genuine voice that resides within your soul.
Many of us are by now accustomed to the very impressive calligraphic representation of the “Shema” in both our machzor and our siddur, Mishkan T’fila. The visual image is certainly imposing but it’s the auditory response, instead, that I invite each of us to seriously consider. Ponder its deepest meaning if you can – listen for that kol d'mama daka, that still, small voice that resides within you – for there you will surely find the sounds of sanctity that will resonate throughout these next ten days and hopefully beyond.
And talking of the “Shema,” many of you have never previously seen the relatively new, large mural in the main lobby depicting a glorious, colorful, whimsical interpretation of the “Shema.” So, before entering the Molish Sanctuary, please be sure to take the time to view the mural. You’ll be suitably impressed! Please note that tonight’s service – as has been our custom for several years already – will include an extended service of healing and comfort.
Whether you choose to join with us in-person (it would be SO wonderful to see your punims again!!) or watch on Livestream, I sincerely hope that these High Holy Days of 5783 will uplift us all.
My family joins with me in wishing you and all those you love the healthiest and sweetest of blessings throughout the New Year.
Shanah Tovah u’Metukah! Rabbi Robert Leib
Old York Road Temple-Beth Am 971 Old York Road Abington, PA 19001
