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In 1945, Rabbi Eliezer Silver was sent to Europe to help reclaim Jewish children who had been hidden during the Holocaust with non-Jewish families. How was he able to discover the Jewish children? He would go to gatherings of children and loudly proclaim Shema Yisrael – "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One."
Then he would look at the faces of the children for those with tears in their eyes – those children whose distant memory of being Jewish was their mothers putting them to bed each night and saying the Shema with them.
Shema Yisrael – "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" – is perhaps the most famous of all Jewish sayings.
The Shema is a declaration of faith, a pledge of allegiance to One God. It is said upon arising in the morning and upon going to sleep at night. It is said when praising God and when beseeching Him. It is the first prayer that a Jewish child is taught to say. It is the last words a Jew says prior to death.
The Talmud says that when Jacob was about to reveal the end of days to his children, he was concerned that one of them might be a non-believer. His sons reassured him immediately and cried out, "Shema Yisrael."
The Torah records Moses including the Shema in his farewell address to the Jewish people.
We recite Shema when preparing to read the Torah on Sabbaths and festivals. And we recite Shema at the end of the holiest day of Yom Kippur when we reach the level of angels.
Shema is contained in the mezuzah we affix to the doorpost of our home, and in the tefillin that we bind to our arm and head.
The cry of Shema symbolizes the ultimate faith in the gravest situations.
Throughout the ages, the cry of Shema has always symbolized the ultimate manifestation of faith in the gravest situations. With the Shema on their lips, Jews accepted martyrdom at the Inquisitor's stake and in the Nazi gas chambers.
What is the deeper meaning of this historic affirmation of Judaism's central creed?
Shema: "How-To"
We are commanded to say the Shema twice each day: once in the morning and again in the evening. This requirement is derived from the verse: "And you should speak about them when you... lie down and when you get up" (Deut. 6:7). The Talmud explains that when you "lie down and when you get up" does not refer to the literal position of one's body, but rather designates the time of day to say the Shema (Brachot 10b).
In technical terms, the time for reciting the evening Shema starts at nightfall (about 40 minutes after sundown) and continues until midnight (or if necessary, until dawn the next day). The time for the morning Shema starts about an hour before sunrise (from when you can recognize a friend from four cubits away), and continues until about 8 a.m. (the end of three complete seasonal hours).
The Shema speaks of loving God and passing Jewish traditions to our children.
The full Shema is comprised of 3 paragraphs from the Torah. The first paragraph, Deut. 6:4-9, contains the concepts of loving God, learning Torah, and passing on Jewish tradition to our children.
These verses also refer specifically to the mitzvot of tefillin and mezuzah. While praying, we wear tefillin as a visible sign of God close to our hearts and close to our brains, to show that our every thought and emotions are directed toward God. The mezuzah scroll is affixed to our doorposts to show that we are secure in God's presence.
The second paragraph, Deut. 11:13-21, speaks about the positive consequences of fulfilling the mitzvot, and the negative consequences of not.
The third paragraph, Numbers 15:37-41, speaks specifically about the mitzvah to wear tzitzit, and the Exodus from Egypt. Tzitzit are a physical reminder of the 613 commandments in the Torah. This is derived from the numerical value of the word tzitzit (600), plus the five knots and eight strings on each corner, totaling 613.
God's Unity
A primary theme of the first verse is the Oneness of God: "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" (Deut. 6:4).
Further, as written in a Torah scroll, the letters "Ayin" and "Daled" of the first verse are enlarged – encoded to spell out the Hebrew word Aid – "witness." When we say the Shema, we are testifying to the Oneness of God.
Why is "oneness" so central to Jewish belief? Does it really matter whether God is one and not three?
The same God who gives us goodness one day, can make everything go wrong the next.
Events in our world may seem to mask the idea that God is One. One day we wake up and everything goes well. The next day everything goes poorly. What happened?! Is it possible that the same God who gives us so much goodness one day, can make everything go wrong the next? We know that God is good, so how could there be so much pain? Is it just "bad luck"?
The Shema is a declaration that all events are from the One, the only One. The confusion stems from our limited perception of reality. One way of understanding God's oneness is to imagine light shining through a prism. Even though we see many colors of the spectrum, they really emanate from one light. So too, even though it seems that certain events are not caused by God, rather by some other force or bad luck, they in fact all come from the One God. In the grand eternal plan, all is "good," for God knows best.
This runs contrary to the Zoroastrian doctrine of dualism, which propounds the idea of two conflicting powers – good and evil.
When a Jew says Shema, it is customary to close and cover one's eyes. The other time in Jewish tradition that one's eyes are specifically closed is upon death. Just as at the end of days we will come to understood how even the "bad" was actually for the "good," so too while saying the Shema we strive for that level of belief and understanding.
The Sages tell us that the patriarch Jacob, after a 22-year separation from his son Joseph, finally went down to Egypt to see him. As they reunited, Jacob was saying the Shema. The years of yearning for his long-lost son came out in an emotionally charged burst of "Shema Yisrael!"
Loving God
The second verse in the Shema is: "And you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your resources" (Deut. 6:5).
What does it mean to love God with all your heart? The Talmud explains that the word "heart" is metaphorical for "desires." Even today we colloquially say, "I love chocolate," which means "I desire chocolate." When the Shema says to "love God with all your heart," it means to use not only your "good traits" like kindness and compassion to do God's will, but also to use your more challenging traits to serve Him.
Learn to relax and better appreciate the world that God created.
For example, when you go to a nice restaurant, don't go because you want to gorge. Rather have in mind that you are eating in order to keep your body healthy, to be able to serve God. Similarly, if you were buying a CD of music, you should buy it in order to help you relax and better appreciate the world that God created.
What does it mean to "love God with all your soul"?
The great Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Akiva (second century) loved God so much, that he taught Torah despite the Roman law forbidding it. When the Romans found out, they sentenced him to a painful death. They took a large iron comb and began to scrape off his flesh. As he was being tortured, Rabbi Akiva joyously recited the Shema – "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One."
His bewildered students asked, "Rabbi, how can you praise God amidst such torture?"
Rabbi Akiva replied: "All my life, I strived to love God with all my soul. Now that I have the opportunity to fulfill it, I do so with joy!" With his dying breath, he sanctified God's name by crying out the words of Shema. (Talmud – Brachot 61a)
The final part of this verse says to "love God with all your resources." This is difficult to understand, because typically the Torah presents a series as a progression from easiest to hardest. Here, the order is: Love God emotionally ("heart"), and even be willing to give up your life if necessary ("soul"), and even be willing to spend your money, too!
If this is a progression, are there really people who consider money more important than life itself?!
The answer is yes. The Talmud (Brachot 54a) speaks about someone walking across a thorny field, and picks up his pants in order to avoid getting them ripped. The person's legs get all cut up and scratched – but at least the pants are saved!
In Nevada, where gambling is legal and every hotel has a casino, hotel room windows are specially designed not to open more than a crack – so people who lose money gambling won't be tempted to jump out the window. Yes, for some, money is more important than life itself.
Jewish Unity
Seth Mandel, the father of 13-year-old Koby Mandel who was bludgeoned to death in a cave by Arab terrorists, spoke at the massive pro-Israel rally in Washington DC in April 2002. He told the following story:
In the Sbarro Pizza bombing which killed 15 people in Jerusalem, five members of a Dutch family were killed. One was a 4-year-old boy named Avraham Yitzhak. As he was lying on the ground – bleeding, burning and dying – he said to his father, "Abba, please help me. Save me."
As he was lying on the ground dying, together they said the words of Shema.
His father reached over and held his hand. Together they said the words of the Shema.
Seth Mandel told the DC crowd:
"My son Koby died alone. I didn't have the chance to say the Shema with him. So now I want you to help me say the Shema for the hundreds of Jews who have been killed in Mideast violence. Say the Shema with me in the merit of the boy in Sbarro's. And say the Shema with me in the merit of my son Koby." He then led the crowd of 250,000 in reciting the Shema together.
Biblical and modern history demonstrates that Jewish unity has brought security to both the Jewish people and the world as a whole. A physical and spiritual assault was launched on humanity on 9/11. The tension in Israel continues to rise. The threat of terrorism still looms large. Who knows what is coming next? What can we do?
Now, in our turbulent times, each of us – men, women, and children – can help in a simple, yet powerful way: Every morning and evening, take a 15-second break from whatever you are doing and say the Shema.
The important thing is to understand and concentrate on the meaning of the words. If you don't understand Hebrew, you can say it in English as well. And then make it a goal to learn the pronunciation and meaning to be able to say it in Hebrew as well.
Parents can say the Shema out loud with their children. It can be very comforting to children to have a nightly ritual of saying the Shema, a prayer to the Almighty to protect them.
Saying the Shema is a simple, six-word formula to unite all peace-loving people and to bring more spiritual light into our world.
Text of the Shema
Immediately before reciting the Shema, concentrate on fulfilling the positive commandments of reciting the Shema every morning. It is important to enunciate each word clearly and not to run words together.
When praying without a minyan, begin with the following three-word formula:
God, trustworthy King.
Recite the first verse aloud, with the right hand covering the eyes, and concentrate intensely upon accepting God's absolute sovereignty.
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One.
In an undertone:
Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity.
While reciting the first paragraph (Deut. 6:5-9), concentrate on accepting the commandment to love God. Touch the arm-tefillin at “Bind them…” and the head-tefillin at “and let them be tefillin…”, then kiss your fingertips.
You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your resources. Let these matters that I command you today be upon your heart. Teach them thoroughly to your children and speak of them while you sit in your home, while you walk on the way, when you retire and when you arise. Bind them as a sign upon your arm and let them be tefillin between your eyes. And write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.
Here is this section in Hebrew:
While reciting the second paragraph (Deut. 11:13-21) concentrate on accepting all the commandments and the concept of reward and punishment. Touch the arm-tefillin at “Bind them…” and the head-tefillin at “and let them be tefillin…”, then kiss your fingertips.
And it will come to pass that if you continually hearken to My mitzvot that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve Him, with all your heart and with all your soul – then I will provide rain for your land in its proper time, the early and late rains, that you may gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil. I will provide grass in your field for your cattle and you will eat and be satisfied.
Beware lest your heart be seduced and you turn astray and serve gods of others and bow to them. Then the wrath of God will blaze against you. He will restrain the heaven so there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its produce. And you will swiftly be banished from the goodly land which God gives you.
Place these words of Mine upon your heart and upon your soul; bind them for a sign upon your arm and let them be tefillin between your eyes. Teach them to your children, to discuss them, while you sit in your home, while you walk on your way, when you retire and when you arise. And write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates. In order to prolong your days and the days of your children upon the ground that God has sworn to your ancestors to give them, like the days of the heaven on the earth.
Before reciting the third paragraph (Numbers 15:37-41) the tzitzit, which have been held in the left hand, are taken in the right hand also. The tzitzit are kissed at each mention of the word “tzitzit” and at the end of the paragraph, and are passed before the eyes at “that you may see it.”
And God said to Moses saying: Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them that they are to make themselves tzitzit on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations. And they are to place upon the tzitzit of each corner a thread of blue (techelet). And it shall constitute tzitzit for you, that you may see it and remember all the mitzvot of God and perform them; and not explore after your heart and after your eyes after which you stray. So that you may remember and perform all My mitzvot; and be holy to your God. I am God, your God, Who has removed you from the land of Egypt to be a God to you. I am God your God... it is true
Text reprinted with permission from the ArtScroll Siddur
Transliteration
Shema Yisrael, Ado-nai Elo-heinu, Ado-nai Echad.
Baruch sheim kavod mal-chuso li-olam va-ed
Vi-ahav-ta ase Ado-noi Elo-hecha
Bi-chol li-vav-cha oo-vi-chol naf-shecha oo-vi-chol mi-odecha
Vi-hayoo had-varim ha-ele
Asher ano-chi mi-tzvaecha ha-yomal li-vavecha
Vi-shee-nantam li-vanecha vi-dee-barta bam
Bi-sheev-techa bi-vey-techa oo-vi-lech-techa va-derech
Oo-vi-shach-bicha oo-vi-koo-mecha
Ook-shartam li-ose al ya-decha
Vi-hayoo li-to-ta-fose bain ai-necha
Ooch-sav-tam al mi-zoo-zose bai-secha oo-vee-sharecha
Vi-haya eem sha-moah Teesh-mi-oo el meetz-vo-sai
Asher anochi mi-tzaveh es-chem ha-yom
Li-ahava es Ado-noi Elo-hechem
Oo-lavdo bi-chol li-vav-chem, oo-vi-chol naf-shechem
Vi-nasa-tee mi-tar artz-chem bi-ee-toe yoreh oo-mal-koshe
Vi-asaf-ta di-ganecha vi-seer-shecha vi-yeetz-harecha
Vi-na-satee aisev bi-sadicha leev-hem-techa vi-achalta vi-savata
Hee-sham-iroo lachem pen yeef-teh li-vav-chem
Vi-sartem va-avad-tem Eloheem achai-reem viheesh-tacha-veesem la-hem
Vi-chara af Ado-noi ba-chem vi-atzar es ha-sha-mayim vi-loe yee-yeh matar
vi-ha-adamah loe see-tain es yi-voolah
Va-avad-tem mi-hayra may-al ha-aretz ha-tova
Asher Ado-noi noe-sain la-chem.
Vi-sam-tem es di-va-rai ai-leh al li-vav-chem, vi-al naf-shechem
Ook-shartem o-sam li-ose al yed-chem
Vi-hayoo li-to-ta-fose bain ai-nai-chem
Vi-leemad-tem o-sam es bi-naichem li-daber bam bi-sheev-ticha bi-vay-secha
Oo-vi-lech-ticha va-derech oo-vi-shach-bicha oo-vi-koomecha
Ooch-sav-tam al mi-zoo-zose bai-secha oo-vee-sharecha
Li-man yeer-boo yi-may-chem vee-may vi-nay-chem
Al ha-adama asher neesh-ba Ado-noi la-avo-saychem la-sase la-hem
Kee-may ha-sha-mayim al ha-aretz.
Va-yomer Ado-noi el Moshe lay-more
Da-ber el bi-nay Yisrael vi-amarta alay-hem
Vi-asoo la-hem tzee-tzees
Al kan-fey beeg-day-hem li-doro-sam
Vi-nasi-noo al tzee-tzees ha-kanaf pi-seel ti-chay-les
Vi-haya la-chem li- tzee-tzees
Oo-ree-sem oto
Ooz-char-tem es kol meetz-vose Ado-noi
Va-a-see-sem o-sam
Vi-lo sa-soo-roo acha-ray li-vav-chem vi-acha-ray ay-nay-chem
Asher atem zo-neem acha-ray-hem
Li-man teez-ki-roo va-a-see-sem es kol meetz-vo-sai
Vee-yee-sem ki-doshim lay-lo-hay-chem
A-nee Ado-noi Elo-hay-chem asher ho-tzay-see es-chem may-eretz meetz-rye-eem
Lee-yose lachem lay-lo-heem
A-nee Ado-noi Elo-hay-chem emes
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(59) Norman Sider, May 6, 2020 4:51 PM
At what time is it appropriate to recite Sh'ma?
I wonder why Talmud devotes much discussion as to the appropriate times for reciting the Sh'ma when Torah clearly states "when you lie down and when you rise up?" That language is so simple to understand that it seems strange to me that the rabbis of old felt the need to debate the issue and then came up with answers that seem to ignore the pshat of Torah.
(58) EJ, May 25, 2019 11:38 PM
What would Jacob say today?
"The Talmud says that when Jacob was about to reveal the end of days to his children, he was concerned that one of them might be a non-believer."
Statistically, up to 80% of Jacob's "children" are non-believers.
If that would change would Moshiah come?
(57) Dvirah, May 13, 2019 4:41 PM
Mitigation
With all due respect, legs heal themselves and pants don't, so a person might be willing to accept some temporary discomfort to save resources, especially if scarce. The point however is well made. On a humorous note is the joke about the miser who, when held at gun-point and challenged: "Your money or your life!" responds with: "Wait - I'm thinking!"
(56) Gabriella, February 14, 2019 2:01 PM
A Wonderful Explanation of the most Powerful Prayer .
Excellent Article very well prepared ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(55) Anonymous, August 7, 2016 2:40 AM
emphasis
Hi - i have heard that there are words where the m'lera and m'leil is actually me'akev because of tense. for instance vaHAVta (and you loved) versus vahavTA (and you shall love). do you know if this is correct and do you have a source. thank you
(54) Nemat Masih, April 30, 2015 12:50 PM
Shema is blessing
LORD BLESS ISRAEL AMEN.
(53) sharon, February 17, 2015 6:07 AM
Todah!
Such a blessing to be taught thee shema. The sham a was the first prayer I taught my little granddaughters. Every morning on our way to school they sing it. Sometimes while we are in the store or just out they will all of a sudden begin singing the shema. Now I'm even more blessed to have a deeper understanding. Shavua Tov! Shalom
(52) Judy Silver-Shapiro, December 4, 2014 1:47 AM
RABBI ELIEZER SILVER z"l
RABBI ELIEZER SILVER z"l is my grandfather, my beloved ZAIDI. He traversed post-war Europe wearing my father DR NATHAN SILVER z"l Army Captain uniform. Daddy was in Gen'l Patton's 3rd Army. ZAIDI visited numerous DP CAMPS and never left a single orphanage without JEWISH children in tow. He is personally credited with saving at least 25,000 JEWs, whose offspring numbers today are at least 175,000 according to historians. I AM TRULY BLESSED
(51) Hinda, August 15, 2014 4:43 AM
Thank you
Todah!!! This should be taught to all.
(50) Marlen, August 15, 2014 3:03 AM
Great article
The Shema was well explained. As a Christian, I am aware of those verses, and we practice teaching our children of our heritage, by sharing these Scriptures. I am thankful for being able to understand the roots of my own faith, and join you in "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, He is One." Blessed be His name and may peace be achieved everywhere, but especially in Israel.
(49) Farrah, July 19, 2014 1:44 AM
Keep it close, pray for the IDF
Please don't forget to unite in tefila for our brave brothers and sisters of the IDF and for Israel. Hashem will grant us victory against the evil that are so obsessed in destroying our land and even their own children. L-ord, may this battle be quick and easy on our warriors. Amen.
(48) Yvonne, July 10, 2014 1:08 AM
Prayer for my son and all in Israel
Please pray for my son Zachary and all those in Israel.And all those in the IDF
Farrah, July 19, 2014 1:51 AM
Prayers on your way
Rest assured Yvonne, I will be praying for Zachary, is he in the IDF? Our brave soldiers are shielded by the wings of Hashem's angels, no harm will come their way. Zachary will be in my prayers, and so will you. Shalom.
(47) David Bruce, June 16, 2014 7:31 AM
Does God make things go bad for us?
I don't believe God ever makes things go bad for us or punishes us. Perhaps we make things go bad for ourselves and God allows it, so that we learn the consequences of our thoughts and actions, out of His infinite Love for us and His Infinite Wisdom. As a child awakens from a bad dream into loving arms and realizes the monsters that seemed so real were unreal, so will we one day awaken into His Loving Arms.
(46) Anonymous, May 25, 2014 9:00 PM
The Shema
Thank you for the transliteration
(45) Anonymous, January 10, 2014 11:12 AM
Very important article for me.thank you!
(44) nanze vundla, June 13, 2013 10:54 PM
awesome prayer
I thank Hashem for this post, now I have copied the Shema Yisrael prayer in Hebrew, I'm now looking for someone who will teach me the words! I salute you guys, now I can learn Jewish prayers right from my phone! Wonderful!!
(43) Michael Smith, June 4, 2013 11:24 AM
Shema Answer To Relationships
The answer started coming to me that you are to base your relationships on more than something as fleeting as good' looks but on your whole value system taught to you by God to establish precepts about the: person that you can love not just physical intimacy but something that can last forever true love... Mike
(42) shel haas, November 30, 2012 3:45 PM
sshaas@aol.com
The core of the message is that my master, God, is one. The introductory words "hear o' Israel" is not part of the statement. A statement or a commandment is not a prayer. The words following are an oath to be fulfilled by action. The sing-song rendition of the Statement shows a lack of understanding of the verses!
(41) Tonna Chavez, November 21, 2012 2:18 PM
Thank you
Thank you for the transliteration of the Shema! I needed to be able to say this prayer, fully and completely in the Hebrew...for my David and for myself! Thank you!
(40) Anonymous, September 21, 2012 5:39 AM
The Lord our God, the Lord is One
The shema is a very critical declaration one has to say everyday. I wil make it a goal to learn the pronunciation and be able to say it in Hebrew as well. Shalom
(39) Terry Thompson, April 3, 2012 12:16 AM
Shema's heart, soul, and strength
A very interesting and informative article. I am a Christian. I never understood "heart, soul, and strength" like this.
(38) David R. Silver, January 28, 2012 8:09 PM
Powerful and thought provoking
This article brought tears to my eyes, it was so well written. Thank you.
(37) eliyahu, September 1, 2011 5:48 PM
G-D is one and only one.
Shama Israel. a great teaching of anything. I like your way teaching, I am inspired, motivation, captivated. He is one and only one. I will learn more until I pronounce the Shema Israel in Hebrew correctly, loudly distinctly. G-D bless you.
(36) Elaine, August 11, 2011 8:11 PM
Thankyou
I've never been much of a practicing Jew, but at 63 years old, I desire to learn more. Thankyou for this teaching, and I will say the Shema twice a day from now on
(35) WA Ford, January 5, 2011 8:54 AM
The L-rd our G-d the L-rd is the one and only is self explanitary
An author Mordercai Katz explains this well. G-d is just g-d one and only. He is not three or a humanoid as in xanity and Islam nor is he allness or nothingneess as in Eastern religions. The book that said this is Understanding Judaism by Artscroll a good read. Another good book is Unheeded Cry by Artscroll but it is on a slightly different topic ( tragic allied indiffrence during the Shoah)
(34) mariana grinblat, December 12, 2010 7:10 PM
i love this article
it brought tears to my eyes, tx for having it on the site, shalom from beautiful Canada, Mariana Grinblat, M. Sc., M. Eng.
(33) Anonymous, October 26, 2010 11:46 PM
Super!
I just told my grade 3/4 Hebrew School class that this is one prayer they should know by heart. I told them I would explain next week. This timely and timeless article really helps! Thanks!
(32) Anonymous, October 26, 2010 4:06 PM
We are the children of Jacob
#31 thanks for clarifying what I left out. When I was pondering the Shema, I was wondering was Jacob having some doubts back then at some time. And this write up was clarifying it was because Jacob was worried about his children having doubts not himself. The descendants of Jacob, his seed, is Israel. I also think it's for us to say for ourselves. When coming across something in the News that is contrary, on a T.V. program, movies, or the people we are around in the world etc. Tho others may say otherwise, we speak this out to declare with conviction the truth. Whether in community or alone, whether to the Jewish people around us, or a shield over ourselves, a shield of protection from words spoken contrary to the truth. Jacob was giving his children the word of God as a sword. Jacob was teaching his children about God. We are the children of Jacob, likewise we are to take the truth and teach it to our children, to hear our children reassure us as Jacob experienced when his children announced the Shema, what joy and peace this brought to Jacob. This write up brought to me the awareness that having a great man of faith as a dad, as they had, Jacob had a responsibility to pass on to his children as his dad and grandpa had passed on to him. It wasn't a guarantee that his children would come to know God, just because he did. We can take for granted Jacob's children would, Jacob didn't take that for granted. Isaac and Jacob, it was like they were born in knowing God. With the account of the Shema coming from Jacob's sons, it's not to assume the Jewish people continue just because we have parents of great faith. Jacob being worried, gives us the clue not to take this for granted concerning our children. Nor our brothers and sisters, so while we gather together, in case there is someone there that does not know, or is in unbelief, we make the declaration thereof. This is what Jacob taught his children to do, believe it and speak the word of God.
(31) Anonymous, October 26, 2010 2:48 AM
Yisrael also refers to the Jewish people
Anonymous (30) - When we say "Shema Yisrael," the "Yisrael" is another name for the Jewish people - Hear, O Jewish People....that the L-rd is One.
(30) Anonymous, September 16, 2010 3:37 AM
You answered a question of mine
Just this week I had been wondering why we are telling Jacob listen up, The Lord is our God, The Lord is one, something he already knew and believed. The answer came by reading this write up. "Jacob was concerned that one of them might be a non-believer. His sons reassured him immediately and cried out Shema Yisrael." We proclaim privately and publicly "Yes we are believers." This had answered my question. Thanks for having a sound answer on your site.
(29) Ace, August 20, 2010 9:57 AM
Greatest assertion of Oneness and Love to God
I am a religious person, though I do not belong to Judaism yet in my search of the Truth and having been introduced to different religious beiliefs I can say This is one of the greatest things I have ever ever heard and experienced in my life, the stongest Love to God and Faith Thank you for this May the peace be over the lands of Israel !
(28) Wilfred Slaughter, July 22, 2010 3:32 PM
Before I knew this Shema Yisrael prayer, I had started praying it numerous times a day. I feeling of being alive truly from the inside out cant be put into works. I want to extend my sincerest thanks for the lesson youve taught all of about the improtance of reciting this prayer daily and truly understanding the true meaning. Since I have been pondering conversion the 613 Commandments have left very few questions unanswered about the way we should be living!
(27) kim, April 11, 2010 3:31 PM
Helpful
This was helpful for my homework. Very useful information. Thanks =)
(26) michael, October 8, 2008 10:44 PM
thanks
I'm trying to become a better Jew and you have helped
(25) Anonymous, September 14, 2008 5:21 PM
Very helpful
Thanks for this, very helpful!
(24) Todd, January 18, 2008 10:32 AM
Moved
I was moved what was said about seeing G-d through a prism. That althogh we see an array of colors coming from the prism, they really are from one beam of light. What is funny about this is that I just wrote in my Mussar journal
(week 1 humility) that your soul is a canvas, outside influences are the paint and your conscience state of mind is the painter. It is the yetzer hara and the yetzer hatov the zim and the zum. The more chaotic your life is the more charector your painting will have. Life is an on going internal struggle that we all experience, TORAH is the guide not medication. Medication only masks the reallity of the world around us. We are all a little crazy . Crazy by whos standards
(23) Anonymous, December 26, 2007 8:39 PM
this has been educational
(22) David Nassi, December 14, 2007 2:46 PM
The Shema always calms my soul and restores my spirit at any moment when I am stressed..........Thank you for your web site.
(21) charles tawil, February 24, 2007 10:00 PM
very good
(20) Ian Newman, February 22, 2007 12:47 PM
Felt inspired
(19) denisesmith, December 22, 2006 9:27 PM
Ihave been enriched in reading the shema and your web site is great.
(18) Raul, August 26, 2006 12:00 AM
Shema
This article was wonderful and enlightening for obtaining knowledge on the Almighty, and the main reason for this prayer.
(17) Anonymous, July 1, 2006 12:00 AM
Shalom Thankyou laila tov
this will help my Torah study a lot, I am very grateful.
Thankyou Cathy
(16) Sandra Barwick, September 28, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank you
I am teaching Catholic children about how faith in God sustained Anne Frank and Otto Frank, and enabled Otto Frank to generously share with others, and I now realise the evening prayer her mother said with her would have been the Shema Yisrael. I will explain it to the children with some of your comments, thank you so much. I found it very moving.
(15) Anonymous, August 3, 2005 12:00 AM
This article helped me gain an understanding of the shema so that i can understand what i am saying in the morning and night. Your article showed the power of this tefilla.
(14) Aisling LaBauve, February 5, 2005 12:00 AM
Thank you
I just recently began reciting the Shema to my daughter, who is four months old. Even though she doesn't know what I'm saying yet, I feel like it's a very special part of our day together. I'm looking forward to raising her with the traditions I grew up with and new ones I've learned along the way!
Ann Brady, July 27, 2011 9:19 PM
Dear Aisling
By now your little daughter is nearly seven years old and knows the Shema very well. I cried when I read that you recited the Shema to her as a newborn baby. How G-d must smile at such tenderness and respect and pure goodness. G-d bless you and your whole family, dear one.
(13) Anonymous, December 31, 2003 12:00 AM
Brilliant!
I have learnt a lot from this site, Thankyou!
(12) elizabeth bex, November 2, 2003 12:00 AM
aish.com a beautiful website
Am disconnected from synagogue through illness. The Shema helps me with each day. Learning is a blessing for me. Thank you for the Shema Yisrael article.
(11) Anonymous, August 1, 2003 12:00 AM
very informative
I am a Catholic priest, and this is by far the best summary explanation of the Shema that I have ever found.
(10) Avraham Bar-Yochai Shabazi, February 9, 2003 12:00 AM
I am not a jew yet. This portion of the Aish website has explained alot to me.
(9) Shani, January 28, 2003 12:00 AM
Chumash Project
I am doing a chumash (bible) project and i got many notes and learned much things from the site. Thanks so much for the site bye bye! I already finished my project!
(8) yehudit, December 13, 2002 12:00 AM
educationally magnificent--beautiful
have been saying the Shema for over
45 years and this article explains things i never thought about.
wonderful. i intend to save it in "favorites" and study it further and often.
todah rabah.
(7) Rex Rambo, July 30, 2002 12:00 AM
Rabbi Simmons definition of the Shema is inspiring
The Shema has survived all of these centuries from Jacob to Moses to now becaue it was valid then and it is valid now.
(6) Kellie Woolf, July 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Wow..that was good!
Great article. My children thank you.
(5) lillian grogin, July 21, 2002 12:00 AM
wonderful
have recently started saying the
SHEMAA and feel very peaceful anD
serene - i am 75 years old and t
is never to late
(4) Gary, June 14, 2002 12:00 AM
Beyachad Bekoach
The image of 250 000 jews saying the shema together brought a tear to my eye. I am far away in Australia yet I share a strong connection with jews everywhere. It is time to unite and be strong, saying the shema unites jews around the world and while anti-semitism comes out of the closet and terror continues to destroy our dreams it is vital that we have hope. Lets unite and say the shema in a loud and clear voice "Hear O' Israel, the lord our g-d, the lord is one"
(3) Anonymous, June 9, 2002 12:00 AM
A wonderful summary of the Shema, Rabbi Simmons. What do shift workers do,though, who work the night shift and sleep during the day? Do they still follow the same schedule of davening, even though their waking and sleeping is reversed?
Please keep up your excellent teachings, as they are a constant resource for me to expand my knowledge of Judaism.
Kol Hakavod and Kol Toov to you and your family.
(2) karl rose, June 9, 2002 12:00 AM
Absolutely absolute
What I first learned from the Rabbi's is,"Hashem is one; there is none other besides Him." Now I shall learn to say the Shema and learn it in Hebrew as well. I thank all of the Rabbi's.
Karl
(1) Edward J Welch, June 9, 2002 12:00 AM
A light in the darkness you are to me
Toda aish .com Ineed you . I need you to touch home ,Shaloom