Scripture“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.”— Deuteronomy 6:4

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”— Amos 5:24

The Sh’ma begins with a command: Hear.This command is often understood at the level of the individual, but it is also meant for the community. Israel is addressed as a people, not just as isolated individuals. Hearing, in this sense, is a shared responsibility.

What is true for individuals is also true for institutions.

Listening is not only a personal practice. It can—and must—shape the systems that organize our common life. Schools, governments, congregations, and organizations all make decisions that affect many lives. These decisions are never neutral. They reflect what institutions are willing to hear—and what they choose to ignore.

When institutions remain open to listening—to feedback, to criticism, and to the lived experiences of those they serve—they become capable of growth. They adapt. They learn. They correct course when needed.

But when systems stop listening, the consequences are serious.

They do not simply become inefficient or outdated. They become unjust.

When institutions grow deaf, they lose........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)