Listening is a universal act that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. It is both simple and profound, requiring humility, empathy and openness. In Judaism, listening is not only valued but commanded. The Shema, the central prayer of the Jewish faith, begins with the word Hear—a call to active listening: Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad , Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One. But this is not just a call to hear; it’s a call to internalise, to understand and to act.
In a world that often prioritises speaking over listening, we need to reclaim the art of listening — not just to God but to one another. This is especially vital in interfaith contexts where understanding different perspectives can break down barriers and build bridges of mutual respect, understanding and trust.
In the Torah, listening is, very often, linked to action. In Exodus, when the Israelites received Torah at Mt Sinai, they said, Na’aseh v’nishma, We will do and we will listen.
Isn’t that order interesting? It’s act first then listen rather than, what I guess most of us would expect, of listen first then act. I think that this surprising order emphasises the trust inherent in listening: we commit to act before fully understanding because we trust the source.
In the Talmud, Rabbi Hanina teaches that one should strive to understand the words of another before responding. Isn’t that why we have two ears and only one mouth? That teaching aligns with the concept of dan l’kaf zechut, of judging others favourably, which requires listening deeply to the other person’s perspective.
The Jewish emphasis on listening extends beyond interpersonal relationships to our relationship with the Divine. The Shema calls us to hear God’s unity and presence in the world – a unity that challenges us to find common ground with all of humanity, because each of us was created in God’s image.
Listening is a cornerstone of many religious traditions. As I understand it, for Christians, James mirrors Jewish teaching when he advises (1:19) that Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry
For our Muslim friends, the Qu’ran emphasises the importance of listening as a form of respect and understanding. I believe, in the Surah Al-Anfal (8:2), it describes the faithful as those whose hearts tremble when they hear God’s words.
Buddhism, as part of the Eightfold Path toward enlightenment, teaches mindful listening, a practice of fully attending to another without judgment and our own Australian Indigenous peoples place significant emphasis on a practice of deep listening, an almost spiritual skill, based on respect which they call dadirri.
The practice of daadirri, which includes listening to stories and absorbing the wisdom of elders, teaches that listening is essential for learning and living meaningfully. It offers lessons in humility and spiritual awareness and underscores the importance of being fully present which aligns with spiritual practises across most if not all faith traditions.
Especially now in our age of social media and constant noise, when we’re conditioned to prioritise speaking, debating and stating our views, listening is harder than it seems. Active listening demands humility, empathy and patience; of recognising that we don’t have all the answers, of putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes and of allowing others to share their stories fully before responding.
In interfaith dialogue, these qualities are essential. Misunderstandings and stereotyping can be dismantled when we listen with open hearts.
Together, through listening, we can build bridges that lead to greater understanding, mutual respect and, please God, lasting peace.
Kathy Kaplan OAM
Jewish Community Leader
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