Hear Our Voice

Shma Koleinu - Hear Our Voice


On the top hits of the High Holyday Prayer List

is the famous Max Helfman version of "Shma Koleynu,"

set to a haunting melodic cry for  "God to hear our voice."


The authorship of the prayer, Shma Koleynu,

can be traced back to the sixteenth century, 

and is such a magnificent liturgical treasure.

In addition to this prayer being highlighted in the

Forgiveness section of the Yom Kippur Service,

Shma Koleynu, appears as the sixteenth blessing

in the weekday Amidah, (Standing Prayer).

I tell you this factoid because we are encouraged,  

not just during the High Holydays, but every day,  

to remember that our prayers are heard.

Therein lies the question, Heard by whom?

Are we to believe that God is "out there" listening?


Does God Hear our Voice? If one does not believe in "God"  

how can he/she internalize the prayer?   

Does one view and understand this prayer  

literally, metaphorically, or symbolically?


I would like to propose that this "Higher Listener"  

can be understood better as the  "God self" or "Higher self"  

that resides in every human being.

One way of perceiving and reckoning with the "God" questions are to

re-consider or re-frame our concept of this Almighty,

according to what we learned as children.  

There is a belief that within each human being,

there is a longing to manifest and grow, 

balance and inspire, and bring goodness into the world. 

What if that energy (potential for goodness) is God? 
 

When do you listen to your own voice? Your tone?  

Have you ever tried talking to yourself gently as a guide?  

I found it particularly interesting that when I viewed a few movies  

about our ancestors, the voice of God is portrayed by their own voices.

There is also a Jewish spiritual practice in Chassidism called "Hitbodedut,"  

a personal accounting of self, that asks us to converse with God out loud.  

It is amazing to hear that part of yourself that longs to be better,

more elevated. I encourage you to try,

as it has given me great insight into my own growth.    

This High Holyday's, may this prayer, Shma Koleynu

help you be motivated to hear the places that you want to balance.

May it help you act in ways that include rather than exclude,  

that forgive rather than criticize.  

May you pause before you judge. Hear the call of the inner voice  

that longs to do contrary action when we feel compelled to act rebelliously.  

May we be conscious of our words and know when to hold our tongues.  

This High Holidays, maybe we hear this prayer as a call to our BEST self. 
    

Shma Koleynu, Hear YOUR voice that is Compassionate and Loving.  

Extend that voice to the people in our community who are struggling right now,  

globally, economically, personally.   

Shma Koleyna....  

Hear YOUR voice that yearns for innocence and simplicity.  

Listen for the part of you that clings to the beautiful traditions of Judaism  

every year when we gather to celebrate the New Year.