Pesach Day Two: Communication Secrets from Pesach

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Published: 4/12/17

PEH-SOCH: THE SPEAKING MOUTH COMMUNICATION SECRETS FROM PESACH

When was the last time that you had a normal face to face, eye to eye, heart to heart, conversation with a loved one?

We live in a time of a communication crisis. On one hand, we have never had better communication devices. We can connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime. “Communications revolution” is what these times are called. On the other hand, are we really communicating better? Are our relationships and marriages deeper and more connected? Are our friendships more heartfelt? Are we speaking more with our children, with our parents, with our colleagues?

Good communication is an art that lies at the heart of success in almost all aspects of life: relationships, education, parenting, finances, leadership, diplomacy, and so much more. Our words are powerful tools. And life is largely about learning how to wield them most wisely and most effectively.

What is the secret to successful communication?

Pesach and its protagonist, Moshe, provides us with the answer.

One of the primary themes of Pesach is communication. The word Pesach is made up of two words: peh soch, a speaking mouth. A central mitzvah of Pesach is to speak and tell the story of the Jews’ exodus from Egypt to our children – to effectively communicate it to the next generation.

We can learn the secret to successful communication from the hero of the Pesach story, Moshe Rabbeinu. Though Moshe had a speech “impediment,” G-d tasked Moshe to be His spokesperson and messenger. He was G-d’s messenger to tell Pharaoh to let the Jews go, to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and to relay His words and instructions to the Jewish people. Why would G-d choose a “man of no words” to be His communicator?!

And ironically the words of this “man of no words” have lived on in history arguably more than any other words ever uttered. What was his secret? What made his words so effective, and what made them stand the test of time?

This sermon teaches us that Pesach has a lot more to offer than wine and matzah balls; it guides us to becoming better communicators, which in turn can enhance every aspect of our lives.

 Moshe educates us, on the most basic level, that the key to being a successful communicator is not primarily in what you say, or even how you say it. There’s something even more fundamental that you must do before you communicate. Doing these things will change the way you communicate, as well as the effect that your words have on your listener. And the effect you have on the world.