Sacred Hush: Exploring Silence in Jewish Wisdom

15 Jewish quotes on the power of silence in this moment when our voices cry out

I am starting 2024 by sharing this collection of 15 Jewish quotes on silence

The purpose of these quote collections is to share Jewish wisdom and give bite-size moments of inspiration in our busy, engaged lives.  In a world where many of us find ourselves scrolling through our phones as a way to navigate through transitions or distract ourselves, or in our worst moments "doom scrolling" (our habit of continuously and compulsively scrolling through negative or distressing information on social media or news websites). Since October 7th, doom scrolling has felt especially painful and harmful. This is something I find myself needing to watch closely, a sentiment echoed by friends who also find it challenging. The reason its impact has intensified is that it fuels a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness, causing our minds to spiral out in outrage and fear. Despite our best efforts, this has become an unfortunate and shared struggle that we must all navigate in our digital age.

These quote compilations aim to provide nourishing words and ideas to scroll through/ It's like incorporating a bit of Jewish study into your scrolling routine – a sincere attempt to infuse depth and reflection into our daily digital interactions.

But if you’re so moved to support this space for only $5 a month, I’d deeply appreciate it.

These past months, I have been feeling the tension between the need to speak out against antisemitism and in support of Israel while also longing for moments of calming and healing silence and reflection. (Hint, I am an introvert so silence is something I crave and need).

On one hand, speaking out against antisemitism is essential to combat the discrimination and hatred that has plagued Jewish communities for centuries. Silence in the face of bigotry can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and allow hatred to fester unchecked. Yet, on the other hand, all this crying out can feel exhausting and there are moments when silence is necessary, such as during private reflection or in the face of unwarranted aggression. Striking the right balance is a continuous challenge, but it's crucial to ensure that we use our voices against antisemitism and in support of Israel while at the same time we honor our indiviudal needs for restorative, reflective and healing silence.

Silence is defined as “the complete absence of sound”.  The meaning of personal silence is “forbearance from speech”.  Forbearance in this definition means a person has patient self-control and restraint to keep themselves from speaking. 

In this quote collection we share Jewish words of wisdom about the power of silence:

• The power of giving yourself moments of silence to quiet your mind and retreat from too much stimulation.  

• The importance of remaining silent in order to listen more deeply.  

• The act of restraining yourself from saying words that are hurtful to others and/or you will regret. 

There is also a sense, certainly in Biblical text, that there is Divinity in silence.

Gendered language 

These original texts often use male-gendered language. I have preserved the original language out of respect to the text, but these quotes can easily be read with other gendered pronouns and reclaimed for one’s own story. 

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I hope you stumbled upon a Jewish quote in this collection that struck a chord within you, offering a moment of reflection or connection. I'm curious to know which one resonated the most with you—feel free to share your favorite in the comments.

As we step into 2024, my heartfelt wish is for each of us, and the entire Jewish community, to experience moments of profound and revitalizing silence. May this year bring us the serenity we seek. Here's to a year filled with meaningful pauses and replenishing stillness.

Am Yisrael Chai

Kenden