Shema Yisrael

Important Jewish prayer, an affirmation of Judaism and a declaration of faith in one God, that focuses upon Deuteronomy 6:4-9:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

This prayer is spoken day and night, and taught to the youngsters at bedtime, as well as posted upon their doorposts on a script on a small scroll which is then rolled up and put inside a mezuzah  (The entire shema daily prayers include Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 13:37-41).

Jesus references this prayer and adds to it for His followers sake in Mark 12:29-31:

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."


 

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