Verse 1 I’ve become a podcast nerd, I’ll admit, Listening to rabbis speak, each thought a hit. One breaks down film scores with care, John Williams’ work, they analyze and share. Another talks of schools and leadership, How to teach, inspire, and relationships grip. The last podcast left me thinking through, About schools and connections old and new. Verse 2 This week, in Ki Tavo’s text, Moshe speaks, his voice reflects. With Kohanim and Leviim by his side, To listen to God’s voice, with hearts open wide. “Hasket u-Shema” – a message clear, To hear God’s word, to hold it dear. “Hasket” is rare, just once in the book, Sages debated the meaning they took. Chorus Listen, not just hear, reflect on the sound, Understand fully, in silence we’re bound. In quiet moments, wisdom grows, Much more than just what the mind knows. Verse 3 Rashi says “hasket” means pay attention, Netziv says it calls for reflection. Seforno speaks of a picture in mind, Mecklenburg urges silence, of a deeper kind. In quiet, we can hear God’s voice, A sacred moment, a conscious choice. In stillness, the shema will rise, God’s wisdom fills the skies. Verse 4 A podcast spoke of how we respond, How often we fail, too far beyond. We listen to speak, not to hear, Missing words, thoughts sincere. To listen with purpose, to truly care, Be present, be fully aware. It’s not about how we reply, But the bond that will solidify. Chorus Listen, not just hear, reflect on the sound, Understand fully, in silence we’re bound. In quiet moments, wisdom grows, Much more than just what the mind knows. Verse 5 What drives us to listen with open hearts, Is the bond we hope to form from the start. Not just the talk, but something more, A relationship, solid to the core. With a spouse, a friend, or a child’s voice, Do we seek to win, or make the choice? To build something lasting, strong, and true, It’s not about winning, but about who. Verse 6 The podcast spoke of clients, not just who we serve, For long-term bonds are what we deserve. Customers come and go with their need, But clients stay, relationships they feed. Lawyers, counselors, money guides, They serve with connections that last and abide. So too with relationships, we must be wise, It’s the long-term care we must prize. Chorus Listen, not just hear, reflect on the sound, Understand fully, in silence we’re bound. In quiet moments, wisdom grows, Much more than just what the mind knows. Verse 7 As we reflect this month of Elul’s call, Let’s think of our bonds, big and small. Who are the clients in this life we live? And who are the ones we must forgive? Shabbat reminds us to pause, reflect, On the relationships we shouldn’t neglect. Do we want quick gains, or bonds that last, The choice is ours, to learn from the past. Outro Shabbat Shalom, may we listen and be, In stillness, find truth, to love and see. In silence, we’ll connect and understand, Building relationships hand in hand.
