For someone who is hard of hearing, seeing facial expressions and reading lips is an absolutely necessary part of their communication. But with so many now wearing masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, it has added a whole additional level of isolation to those who now can’t understand what others are saying. But fortunately, an innovative and creative college student, Ashley Lawrence, has come up with a solution through her making of masks that have clear plastic, allowing one to see the mouth of the person wearing the mask. Judaism teaches that speech is the hallmark of humanity. It is not our ability to think or our intellect, but rather our ability to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with another is what makes us human. Thanks to Ashley Lawrence, now those who already overcome challenges to communicate will not be further disadvantaged.

We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we do get to choose our attitude. Meet Jessica Cox. Born without arms, she has spent her life doing the seemingly impossible and is now the first certified armless pilot, in addition to being a certified scuba diver and a third-degree black belt in taekwondo. She has also traveled the world as a motivational speaker inspiring countless people in over 20 countries. Some people may look at Jessica and think she is disabled. But she has never let her missing arms get in the way of her accomplishments. Rather she has decided what she wants to do and then and puts her focus on figuring out a way that will work for her. In the summer of 1976, a group of Israeli soldiers who had lost limbs in their service, came to the US and had the opportunity to meet with the spiritual leader, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Upon meeting the group of soldiers, the Rebbe began explaining why he didn’t approve of the word “disabled” which is how they were usually called. He explained: “‘If a person has been deprived of a limb or a faculty this itself indicates that G‑d has given him special powers to overcome the limitations this entails, and to surpass the achievements of ordinary people. You are not ‘disabled’ or ‘handicapped,’ but special and unique, as you possess potentials that the rest of us do not.” Jessica Cox is an incredible example of this idea and is an inspiration in all she does and in who she is.

Header Image: www.myrepublica.com

True empathy means that you don’t just feel badly for the pain of another, but you actually feel that person’s pain. This video beautifully demonstrates how this wonderful friend, Casey Unger, figures out how to give in a way that both exemplifies his empathy and provides an opportunity for his friend, Crystal Melero, to experience a hockey game in a way that she can fully enjoy. In Hebrew, the word for “empathy” is “rachmanut, and its root is “rechem” which means “womb.” This teaches us that empathy is the ability to be other-centered. To focus fully on the needs of the other. He easily could have just told her what was going on, but by allowing her to “feel” her way through the game, it provides her with an added level of participation.

(Header Image Credit: WFAA TV)

Music is a universal language. It transcends age, language, geographic location and any other differences that could otherwise separate us. This is why in Judaism music is called the “quill of the soul.” This incredible performance shows us so much more than the unbelievable talent of the singer, Kenny Sway. In this short clip, we are able to witness support, understanding, concern, and love between two complete strangers who bonded over something far more powerful than either one of them.

When Kodi Lee began singing on America’s Got Talent, he took everyone’s breath away. In an instant, he went from someone who had a hard time communicating to someone who connected to everyone and allowed everyone to connect. The transformation was astounding to watch and is living proof that no matter how limited one appears, with the right language, all barriers can be broken and anything is possible. For 22-year-old Kodi, who is both autistic and blind, language is his music. Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi taught: “If words are the pen of the heart, then song is the pen of the soul.” We understand words each according to our own way and ability. But a song unites the one who sings it and the one who hears it. Kodi uses his singing to tap into the depths of every soul that hears him, and in doing so, shows everyone his beautiful soul. All difference dissipates and all that is left is what unites us. This is why music is the universal language, for it is intrinsically and instantaneously understood by all.

Below you can watch his incredible performance on America’s Got Talent as well as a short, yet, powerful interview with Kodi and his mother.

Header Image: NY Post

What defines us as human beings is not our ability to think, but rather our ability to speak. Communication is what connects us with others, what allows us to share what is happening in our head and our heart. But when there is that language barrier, when someone can’t express himself because no one understands and no one can communicate his language, it is very lonely and alienating. The Hebrew word for “mouth” is “peh” which is numerically equivalent to the words for “love” which is “ahavah” and “kindness” which is “chesed.” The mouth symbolizes all forms of communication, and teaches that communication should always be a method for transmitting love and kindness. In this moving video, an entire town learned sign language, the mode of communication, that their deaf neighbor needed to speak. And in doing so, they showed their humanity in the most powerful of ways.