The Shema can be described as the daily Jewish statement of faith, recited in the morning and evening prayers and before going to sleep. The passage is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This passage begins: Shema Yisraeel (Hear Israel). The passage occupies a very essential place within Judaism and is of extreme importance to the Jewish People. In the Shema the unity and uniqueness of G-d is expressed and affirmed. The recitation twice a day (morning and evening) is a Biblical commandment. Additionally, Jews recite it just before retiring for the night, as well as in the Kedusha service on Shabbat. This brief statement has become so important to the Jewish people that it is the culmination of the final Ne’ilah prayer of Yom Kippur and traditionally the last words of a Jew here on earth.
- The text of the Shema – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- The Hebrew text of the Shema
- Pronunciation of the Shema
- Explanations of the text
- Recite twice a day
- Meditation – Likutei Torah, Drushim L’Rosh Hashanah 62d
- Footnotes
The text of the Shema – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
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Dutch text |
Transliteration |
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Hear Israel, Adonai our G-d, Adonai is One. |
She-ma Yis-ro-el Ado-noy, Elo-hay-nu Ado-noy Ech-od. |
Listen to the text in Hebrew: Shema. You can read the transliteration there. When saying the first six words of the Shema, it is a universal Jewish custom to cover the eyes with the right hand. Why? The simple answer is that it allows you to concentrate well without visual distractions.
In its entirety, Shema 1 consists of three paragraphs 2 : Deuteronomy 6:4-9 , Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41 .
The Hebrew text of the Shema
- Hear Israel, Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one. And you shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. And let these things be on your heart today. 7 And you memorized your children and spoke to them when you sat down in your house and when you walked on the road and when you lay down and when you got up. 8 And you tied a sign on your hand and they were dripping between your eyes. 9 And you wrote on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Uitspraak van de Shema
Cover your eyes 3 with your right hand and say:
Sh’ma Yis-ra-eil, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu, A-do-nai E-chad. (Hear Israel, Adonai our G-d, Adonai is One.)
Whisper:
Ba-ruch sheim k’vod mal-chu-to l’o-lam va-ed. (Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever.) 4
Source: David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)
Explanations of the text
Adonai – my Lord
The first verse of the Shema contains the sacred four-letter God’s name YHWH (the Eternal One) which may not be pronounced. That is why Adonai is used which means ‘my Lord’. Instead of YHWH one reads Adonai or HaShem (the Na am).
witness When reciting the Shema, the person bears witness to his or her faith and G-d is Witness to this. At the same time, man also witnesses the fact that G-d admonishes and calls Israel to love and serve Him.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20, repetition
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 contains almost the same words as Deuteronomy 6:6-9. So this indicates how important the Shema is.
unity and uniqueness of God In the Shema the unity and uniqueness of G-d is expressed and confirmed . Adonai, the Eternal Being, is a Sole and Unique G‑d: Adonai our G‑d, Adonai is One.
Recite twice a day
The Shema is recited twice a day. This is called keriat Shema (Shema reading). Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41 are also read afterwards. The Shema is said during prayers in the morning and evening.
In the morning the Shema is recited with three acts of praise.
- Before the Shema the praises:
- Jotser or (Who forms the light)
- Ahavah Rabbah (with great love)
- After the Shema the praise:
- Emet WeJatsiev (True and Sure)
In the evening, Shem is recited with four acts of praise.
- Before the Shema the praises:
- Ma’ariev Aravim (Who brings forth the evening twilight)
- Ahavat Olam (Eternal Love)
- After the Shema the praises:
- Emet WeEmoena (Truthful and Faithful)
- Hashkievénu (Let us rest)
Meditation – Likutei Torah, Drushim L’Rosh Hashanah 62d
“To hear” means to understand. To meditate deeply. “Israel” is the name of your soul, the breath of G-d within you. Then the four-letter name of G-d. What is that name? It is a combination of the three forms of the verb ,to be, – so that it means ,is, was, will be,, all in a single moment, completely transcending time – yet giving existence to time and everything in it plays.
Then another name of G-d, a name that refers to His power over heaven and earth, as He is found in the forces of nature. But in the possessive form: ‘our strength’.
And then we return to the four-letter name, this time because this name is within you. For your soul and G-d merge as One. You must say to your soul: Listen, my soul, and meditate on this:
Your power comes from above time. You, my soul, merge with G-d as One.
Footnotes
1 The Shema is one of the first texts that Jewish children are taught.
2 Shema is not technically a prayer.
3 Eyes are covered to better concentrate and not be distracted. In addition, it must be realized that G-d is the Only reality that exists.
4 This verse appears nowhere in the Bible and there are differing views on its origin. One source is a discussion and story in the Talmud where this very question is asked: Jacob is on his deathbed and questions the loyalty of his sons to that one G-d. His sons respond with the first verse of the Shema that moved Jacob to exclaim, “Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever.” Because it is not a Bible verse, it is said in a whisper.