Parshat Ki Tavo 9/11/25 - Dr. Rapoport
What does it mean to truly listen to someone? Did you hear what I said? What did I ask you to do? How many of us have asked those questions of our children (or even of our spouse) from time to time? It happens. We aren’t sure whether our requests were heard, or if they will be fulfilled. Fundamentally, each of us has a deeply human need to be listened to, to be seen, heard, and valued. When we don’t feel we are being listened to, that rocks our world.
In Parshat Ki Tavo, we see the word shema appear several times. We are reminded that when we cried out to Hashem, G-d of our fathers, He heard our voice and saw our affliction. (Devarim 26:7) Later, Moshe and the Leviim implore us to “Pay attention and listen, people of Israel! Today you have become a people bound to G-d, your G-d. (Devarim 27:9) Hashem listens to us; so, too, must we remember to always listen to Him. It is through our relationship with Hashem that we have been sustained as a people to achieve great success despite the challenges and pain we inevitably encounter.
The Torah’s repeated use of shema conveys more than the act of hearing sounds. Listening requires the listener to pay attention and actively construct an understanding of the message in order to know what it is that one is being asked to do. One can hear sounds, of course, which metaphorically go in one ear and out the other. True listening is about holding the information we are listening to in mind, forming a mental picture of what the speaker is conveying, and integrating that new information into one’s cognitive framework and perception of oneself.
As you will see throughout every issue of Ohr Chadashot this year, this is exactly how we approach learning at OCA. Our educational philosophy emphasizes that students construct meaning through focused listening, reflection, discussion, and active questioning.
Learning is, at its roots, a social experience that takes place through the interactions among students and between students and teachers. Learners are not passive receivers of information who hear instruction and subsequently comply with directives. We view learners as listeners who, through being encouraged to ask questions, experiment with ideas, and take ownership of their learning, are able to build a base of knowledge that will forever shape who they are as Torah-observant Jews. Within this framework, classroom lessons do not remain in the classroom; they become part of our students’ identity, forming the lens through which our students view themselves and the world around them.
We are excited for the myriad opportunities and experiences that await our students in the year ahead and look forward to sharing photos, updates, and news about their learning with you. Stay tuned!
Shabbat shalom!