When it comes to being Jewish, why does my being deaf matter?
Some so-called brilliant scholars have determined that deaf people cannot practice Judaism and thus observe the various mitzvahs of Judaism. This viewpoint goes back many centuries and even persists to this day when the Israel Rabbinical Court ruled that deaf people cannot convert to Judaism because they care incapable of observing mitzvahs.
Fortunately, there are just as many learned scholars who say otherwise ranging from Rabbi Yehuda in the first century to Rabbi Yochanan ben Gudgeda who had deaf sons, to even Maimonides himself.
Perhaps the biggest cause of this divide is the one of the most important Jewish prayers, the Shema which states.
Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad
Note the very first word, “Hear.” Many have interpreted this prayer literally—saying that if one cannot hear, one cannot acknowledge our God.
Obviously, I subscribe to the opposing view that the Shema (hear) part of the prayer essential is an alert to fellow Jews—calling their attention, informing them and communicating with them.
There’s a good article on this very topic here.
What does word Shema in that prayer mean to you? What does it mean to have deaf people in the Jewish community?
Tags: Deaf Jewish Jew Judaism Yochanan Gudgeda Yehuda Maimonides Shema
November 21, 2009 at 6:03 pm |
Glad you’ve started this blog Kelby – and looking forward to reading more as you write.
Shema? Can’t imagine the LORD is only call those to hear who have a physically functional set of ears. When I “hear” Shema – I hear a call to humility – to “sit under” the Lord rather than in judgment over. The issue was that they had just come from a culture that had worshiped a multitude of gods. The ONE God calls them to listen to, hear, understand, receive that which humanity would not have figured out on its own. It is but one of the foundation blocks of the ONE, not whom we make up, but rather who reveals Himself to us. Listen to Him, is the invitation.
November 23, 2009 at 2:08 am |
Nice Blog Kelby! You’re so level headed and good natured in your writing. I don’t think I could show such equanimity when referring to the incredibly stupid decision of the Israel Rabbinical Court that deaf people can’t be Jews because they can’t “hear” as in the Shema: “Hear, O Israel….” What a brutal, small minded bunch. Honestly, I am disgusted by that recent decision from these holy men. How can they regard doctrine like that as having anything at all to do
with the divine? Thankfully you refer to insightful Jewish leaders who know right from wrong. I gotta say that the Israel Rabbinical Court making this grim, petty decree is about on par with what i expect from leadership in general in Israel– not a compassionate, humanitarian nation with concerns about justice for all. Such a stark contrast to justice and truth loving Jews throughout the world who deeply care about good for all people.
I look forward to more of your thoughtful writing on your blog.