Shema Yisrael (Hear, O Israel) – Deut 6:4-9
You are warmly welcome!
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” This is the blessing that Paul the Apostle prayed for his audience at the end of one of his letters. It has been adapted into a prayer that Christians use frequently; it is probably the most widely known prayer. Among the Jews, the most important part of the prayer service is called the Shema; it is recited twice daily. It is traditional to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night.
The words ‘Shema Yisrael’ (Hear, O Israel) are the beginning of this famous prayer which is taken from Deut 6:4-9. It consists of an affirmation of belief in God's unity and in His sovereignty over the world, an unconditional love of God, and a commitment to the study of His teachings. It emphasizes the religious duties to love God, to teach the Word of God to one's children, and to talk of the Word at every possible time. As an effort to remember and recite the Shema and in order to fulfill the Biblical commandment to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house" (Deut 6:9), a mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes. The mezuzahis a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses (the Shema Yisrael). When one is getting into or out of the house, they touch the mezuzah and recite the Shema.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he quoted from this very Scripture: “love the Lord your God…” It would be obvious that Deut 6:4-9 is among the most widely known scriptures among the Jews; we learn from their practices high discipline of studying, memorizing and teaching the Word of God to one another and to our children. Most importantly, through accepting Jesus Christ, we reach the epitome of loving God. Many times people say ‘The grace...’ to indicate a conclusion to prayers, without knowing which Scripture it is adapted from (2Cor 13:14), let alone the context. It is a powerful blessing that is many times left to pass as a mere ending. These widely known and recited Scriptures need attention so that the routines do not rob them of their deep and powerful meanings and effects. Take time to think and consider for yourself what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
God bless you.