I feel so sentenced by your words.
I feel so judged and sent away.
Before I go, I’ve got to know—
is that what you mean to say?
Words are windows, or they’re walls;
they sentence us, or set us free.
When I speak and when I hear,
let the love-light shine through me.

These lines by the poet Ruth Bebermeyer, brought to prominence by the psychologist Marshall Rosenberg in his work on Nonviolent Communication, capture something profoundly human: at the heart of every interaction are our needs, our feelings, and the way we express them. His teaching invites us to speak with honesty while listening with empathy, so that communication becomes a path to connection rather than conflict.

Communication is never one-sided; it is a meeting between speaker and listener, where the challenge is not just to speak, but to express ourselves in a way that can truly be heard.

A verse in this week’s Torah portion, as taught by the Chassidic masters, offers a powerful lens on communication:

“Do not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your fellow; and do not bear a sin because of him.” (Vayikra 19:17)

Why are these three ideas placed together in one verse, and why in this order?

The Hassidic masters teach that these ideas are inseparable: we are first asked not to carry hatred in the heart, because without inner clarity and care, even necessary rebuke can land harshly—timing and tone shaped by emotion rarely lead to healing.

And if our words do not lead to change, the teaching challenges us to look inward, recognising that part of the responsibility may lie in how our message was expressed and whether it could truly be received.

Real communication is not about winning an argument, but about building connection; when our words are rooted in love, they become windows instead of walls—let the love-light shine through.