So much depends on how one listens to the word of God. “Selective hearing” is part of our human nature, where we tend to listen more to the things we like or the things we want to hear.  We have all had times where, for one reason or another, we don’t want to hear the challenging word Jesus may be speaking in our lives. The first Commandment, to love God above all, also starts with the words  'Shema Israel' that is 'Hear O Israel'. These words are written on the parchment that the Jews place in the phylacteries (the small boxes on their forehead and round their arms) and the mezuzah, a 'container' that they place near the door of their homes. We will be seeing this imagery when we are in Israel, a reminder of God's covenant with us and how important it is to listen with our hearts. For more on the meaning of the phylacteries and the mezzuzah, make sure you read yesterday's post on the Noticeboard chat.