The Voice Still Calls

Judaism is a call for greater sensitivity to the world around us. The holiday of Sukkot celebrates this fact. After 10 days of repentance, of reflection and inward thinking, we are commanded to go outside of our homes and, in a way, outside of ourselves. Outside, under the canopy of stars we can sense the Sukkah of Gd's protection.

The Sages wrote in Pirke Avot (6:2) that, "Every day a Heavenly Voice comes from Mt. Sinai (Chorev) proclaiming, "Woe to mankind for contempt of Torah." Every day a voice comes from Mt. Sinai reminding us that all we need to know to be contented and serene in this world was already revealed. What happened at Sinai did not stop there. The Heavenly Voice reverberates to this day. And the Heavenly Voice will continue to resound until its mission is fulfilled, which is to get everyone to listen more closely.

Many popular books now question the existence of Gd. To my mind, by their line of reasoning, they might as well question the existence of love, too. You can't scientifically prove either one. You can't quantify them, hold them in your hand or reproduce them in a lab. But you can sure feel their effects. You can see how faith and love transform lives. You can see how a person who has either in their lives will go to great lengths and costs to honor their commitments. You can see the way that both bring out the best in people. Do people sometimes do stupid things for love? Of course. Do people sometimes do stupid things in the name of Gd? Of course. But people who are sensitive to love, who exude it and are drawn to it know a happiness, peace and serenity that others are missing. Likewise, those who are aware of the fact that Gd is continually calling us, cheering us on, hoping that we will respond with faith - they too know a peace and serenity that makes life meaningful and, quite frankly, more enjoyable.

That's why the most important prayer in Jewish liturgy is known by one simple word: Shema - Listen!