Scriptural Prayer
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Shema

Also known as: Shema Yisrael

Shema

The central declaration of faith in Judaism, proclaiming the oneness of God. The Shema is perhaps the most important prayer in Jewish liturgy and has been recited by Jews for over three millennia.

The Prayer

The Core Declaration (Deuteronomy 6:4)

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד

Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad

Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is One.

Traditional Response (recited quietly)

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד

Baruch shem kevod malchuto l’olam va’ed

Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.

The Three Paragraphs

The full Shema consists of three biblical passages:

  1. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The core declaration and the command to love God
  2. Deuteronomy 11:13-21 - Rewards for obedience and consequences of disobedience
  3. Numbers 15:37-41 - The commandment of tzitzit (fringes) and remembrance of the Exodus

Biblical Context

The Shema comes from the Torah, given by Moses to the Israelites. Deuteronomy 6:4 serves as the foundational declaration of monotheism, distinguishing Israelite faith from the polytheism of surrounding nations.

The verses immediately following (6:5-9) command:

  • Love of God with all one’s heart, soul, and might
  • Teaching these words to children
  • Speaking of them constantly
  • Binding them as a sign on the hand and between the eyes (tefillin)
  • Writing them on doorposts (mezuzah)

Historical Significance

In Jewish History

  • Ancient Times: Recited in the Temple and by priests
  • Martyrdom: Traditionally the last words of Jewish martyrs, from Rabbi Akiva to Holocaust victims
  • Daily Life: The commandment to recite it “when you lie down and when you rise up” makes it a twice-daily practice
  • Symbol of Faith: The declaration of God’s oneness has defined Jewish identity for millennia

Theological Importance

  • Monotheism: The clearest statement of belief in one God
  • Covenant: Affirms the special relationship between God and Israel
  • Commandment: Not just a belief statement but a commandment (mitzvah) to recite
  • Unity of God: Emphasizes not just that God is one, but that God is a unified whole

Liturgical Use

Daily Recitation

  • Shacharit (morning prayers): Recited with special blessings before and after
  • Ma’ariv (evening prayers): Recited again with blessings
  • Bedtime Shema: Abbreviated version before sleep
  • Deathbed: Traditionally the final words a Jew says before death

Special Occasions

  • Yom Kippur: The Ne’ilah (closing) service ends with a communal recitation
  • High Holy Days: Recited with special emphasis
  • Conversion: New converts recite it as part of accepting Judaism

Ritual Actions

When reciting the first verse:

  • Cover or close the eyes (to concentrate solely on God)
  • Emphasize the final letters of the first and last words (spelling out “witness” in Hebrew)
  • In communal prayer, the leader chants it aloud

Physical Reminders

The commandments following the Shema led to several Jewish practices:

  • Tefillin: Small boxes containing the Shema, worn on arm and forehead during weekday morning prayers
  • Mezuzah: Parchment containing the Shema, affixed to doorposts of Jewish homes
  • Tzitzit: Ritual fringes on prayer shawls, mentioned in the third paragraph

Theological Themes

God’s Oneness (Monotheism)

The declaration “the LORD is One” (Adonai Echad) affirms:

  • There is only one God
  • God is indivisible and unified
  • All existence emanates from one source

Love and Devotion

The following verses command total love for God:

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”

Jesus later cited this as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-30).

Transmission of Faith

Commands to teach children and speak constantly of God’s words emphasize:

  • Continuity of Jewish tradition
  • Education as a sacred duty
  • Integration of faith into daily life

Cultural Impact

  • Jewish Identity: The Shema serves as Judaism’s creed, the minimal declaration of Jewish faith
  • Interfaith Dialogue: Central to discussions of monotheism with Christianity and Islam
  • Holocaust: Accounts of Jews reciting the Shema as they faced death
  • Modern Israel: Recited at state ceremonies and by soldiers
  • Popular Culture: Referenced in films, books, and music about Jewish life

In Other Traditions

Christianity

  • Jesus affirmed the Shema as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29)
  • Early Christians, as Jews, continued reciting it
  • Influenced Christian understanding of monotheism

Islam

While not reciting the Shema itself, Islam’s central declaration (Shahada) similarly affirms the oneness of God: “There is no god but Allah.”

Interpretation

Traditional Jewish interpretation emphasizes:

  • “Hear”: Not just auditory hearing, but acceptance and understanding
  • “Israel”: Both the people and each individual Jew
  • “The LORD our God”: Personal relationship, not abstract concept
  • “The LORD is One”: Absolute unity and uniqueness

Medieval Jewish philosophers like Maimonides wrote extensively on the Shema’s theological implications, particularly regarding divine unity and incorporeality.