Shema Yisrael

The prayer known as “Shema Yisrael,” has become the identity of the Jew. When two people meet and they want to know if they are Jewish kinsmen, they might see how the other reacts to “Shema Yisrael.”

It has also become identified as the prayer of faith. Over the centuries, many Jews who were tortured to death by our enemies, died with the words, “Shema Yisrael” on their lips.

Another reason why this prayer is so important, is that the first paragraph of the Shema, contains seven fundamental Torah laws.

Two of the seven laws relate to the Tefillin worn on the hand and the head. A third Mitzva is the Oneness of G-d, when we say, “Hashem Echad.”

We also have the commandment to affix a Mezuza on our doors and on our gates. Another Mitzva is the obligation to recite the Shema in the morning and in the evening.

The final two Mitzvot are of great importance. We are commanded to love G-d with all our hearts and our souls and our possessions. This is something we need to work on in developing this love.

The last of these seven Mitzvot, is the obligation to learn Torah on a daily basis. This is learned from the words, ושננתם לבניך, “And you shall teach your children.” How are we supposed to be able to teach our children, if we don’t study ourselves?

We now have a better understanding as to why the “Shema” prayer has such great significance for the Jewish people.