Did you ever experience someone choosing to open their heart and soul to you, and your immediate response is one of feeling anxiety and stress? You begin to think to yourself ‘Am I going to say the right words? Am I going to sound smart? What am I supposed to tell them? What do they want to hear?’ More than words or advice, what people are really looking for is to feel heard.
This is already the beginning of a consolation for a person.
If wise words and good advice follows, that’s a bonus. But it’s all about listening
This Shabbos is called Shabbos Nachamu, the Shabbos of consolation. In our Torah portion of the week, we read what has become one of the most well known psukim in the Torah: Shma Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad.
Those that barely know anything Torah related, as well as those who may know everything about the Torah all know that the Shma has a very special place in the heart and soul of each Jew.
Why is this so?
Because if we really want to be good Jews, we need to stop worrying so much about the answers we are going to give. Just be calm and learn how to listen.
Blessing us all with really good ears- perhaps that will be the gateway to a world of being fully consoled.
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