what is the shema? 1. “the watchword of our faith” watchword = a slogan, rallying cry, or...

The Shema

and Its Blessings

Presented by Student Rabbi Ahuva Zaches

What is the Shema?

1. “the watchword of our faith”• watchword = a slogan, rallying cry, or password

2. “a monotheistic creed”• creed = an authoritative, formulated statement of belief

3. “an affirmation of Judaism”• affirmation = asserting that something exists or is true

4. “a collection of biblical verses with one midrashic line added”• Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37-41

Listen, Israel! Adonai is our God. Adonai is one!

Questions:

1. Why does the Shema begin with the word “listen”? 2. Why is listening important for this prayer?

3. What do some people do during the Shema to focus and/or heighten their sense of hearing?

Questions:

1. Who is Israel? Is that Jacob? Or all of the Jewish people?

2. Do you feel like this prayer is addressing you personally when it says Israel? Why or why not?


Question:

Why does the Shema use God’s holiest and most personal name (YHVH, which we now pronounce

as “Adonai” out of respect for God’s holy name)?


Questions:

1. Why does it say “our” God, rather than “your” God?

2. Would it make as much sense to say “your God is one” as to say “our God is one”? Why or why not?


Questions:

1. Why are the ayin (at the end of the word Shema) and the dalet (at the end of the word echad) bigger?

2. What do these letters spell when you put them together?

First part of Islamic Shahada:

There is no God but God.

(laa ilaaha ilaa-llaah)

First part of Jewish Shema:


Shaheed = witness Eid = witness

What does it mean to be a witness of God?

Where did the second line of the Shema come from?

“Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.”

There are three explanations:

1. A verse from Psalms plus things added on over time

2. The story of Jacob on his deathbed3. The story of Moses and the angels

1. A Verse from Psalms Plus Things Added on Over Time

Psalm 72:19 “And blessed be His glorious name for ever”

Malchuto, meaning “His kingdom”, was added in Roman times as a way for Jews to proclaim loyalty to the sacred kingdom of God, as opposed to the corrupt kingdom/empire of the Romans.

Va’ed meaning “and ever”, was added during the time of the Second Temple when different groups of Jews were arguing about the existence of an afterlife. This word was added to show that there may be life (in a different way than we know now) after death, and that we could have a relationship with God then, too, since God exists in all time and space.

2. The Story of Jacob on His Deathbed

A midrash (found in Sifrei Devarim number 31) shows that Jacob (who was also called Israel) was worried about what would happen after he died. Would his sons stay connected to God and live good lives?

In this story, Jacob’s sons reassure him by saying, “Listen, Israel! Adonai is our God. Adonai is one!” And with relief, Jacob replies, “Baruch Shem… ‘Thank God!’ Blessed be His glorious name for ever!”

3. The Story of Moses and the Angels

A different midrash (found in Deuteronomy Rabbah 2.36) says that Moses learned the second line of the Shema from the angels, when he was going up to get the Torah from God. When he got back from his trip, he taught the “Baruch Shem…” line to all of Israel.

This story is also used to explain why traditionally Jews whisper the second line of the Shema.

Rabbi Yossi (quoted in this midrash) said that when Moses “stole” this secret blessing from the angels, it was like a man had stolen a jewel from the king’s palace and then given it to his wife to wear. He would say, “Don’t wear it in public, only inside the house.”

That is why some Jews whisper this line. But on Yom Kippur, we can say the line aloud because on Yom Kippur, we are considered like angels, who have the right to publicly say: Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va’ed!

Which explanation do you like best?

1. A verse from Psalms plus things added on over time

2. The story of Jacob on his deathbed

3. The story of Moses and the angels

1. Deuteronomy 6:5-9• Still there (first part of the V’ahavta)

2. Deuteronomy 11:13-21• Early Reform Jews removed it like a banned book

• Because it is all about the Land of Israel and the early Reform Jews didn’t want others to think they were more loyal to Israel than to the countries they actually lived in.

• Also because it suggests that suffering is a result of your sins (i.e. that if something bad happens to you, it’s because you deserved it… which we know isn’t always true.)

3. Numbers 15:37-41• Still there, but we took out the first part which talks about

tzitzit (fringes) and our eyes leading us astray• But now the part we took out is back in the Reform prayer

book (Mishkan Tefilah) as an option

Did you know there were originally 3 sections of the Shema?

Why?

Because the Shema itself says to say these words “when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Traditionally, Jews say the Shema at least twice a day.

1. In the morning2. In the evening There are even websites that

will tell you the exact time to say the Shema each morning and evening.

Did you know…?

The Shema is also written on a small scroll called a klaf, which goes inside the mezuzah and tefillin boxes.

Why?

Because the Shema itself says to write these words on the doorposts of your house

(Deuteronomy 6:9) and to bind them as a sign upon your hand and as a symbol between your eyes

(Deuteronomy 6:8)

The Talmud says (in Brachot 16a) that you can recite the Shema on the top of a tree or scaffolding.

Did you know…?

The Shema is the last thing a Jew is sup posed to say before death.

It is the main part of the viddui prayer, which is a special confession that Jews recite before dying.

The Story of Rabbi Akiva

Background: The Roman Emperor Hadrian forbid a number of Jewish practices (including Torah study) in order to promote Roman religious practices. But the rabbis of the time continued to study and teach Torah in order to keep Judaism alive.

The Talmud tells us (in Brachot 61b) about a very famous rabbi named Akiva, who was arrested, imprisoned, and then brutally killed just for studying Torah.

On his execution day, the Romans brought Akiva out at the time when he would normally say the morning Shema. Rabbi Akiva’s students watched in horror as the Romans used hot iron combs to rip off Akiva’s skin. They also noticed that Akiva was still reciting the Shema, despite all the pain he was going through. They were like, “Really, Akiva? You are worrying about doing a mitzvah at a time like this?!” But Akiva answered them that now he finally understood what it means to love God with all of one’s nefesh (soul/life energy). And they say that Akiva’s final word was “echad,” the last word of the Shema.

The Importance of the Shema During the Holocaust

Many Jews also tried to say the Shema with their last breath in the gas chambers, to affirm that no matter how much evil seemed to be winning at the time, goodness would ultimately prevail and Judaism would continue to exist, long after Hitler was gone.

Question:

What was the most interesting thing you learned about the Shema

today?

Franz Rosenzweig Skit

Franz Rosenzweig’s

The Star of Redemption

Only $18!

Book available on

Group A. Creation • Compare Yotzer Ohr on page 60 with Ma’ariv

Aravim on page 6.

Group B. Revelation • Compare Ahava Rabba on page 62 with Ahavat

Olam on page 8.

Group C. Redemption• Compare Emet V’yatziv on 70-72 page with Emet

Ve’emunah (Redemption) on page 14-16.• Focus on the different lines in Mi Chamocha

(Page numbers based on Mishkan Tefilah)

Group Project 4 people per group maximum

Step 1.

Make a chart like this with your group:

Step 2:

Talk about how both prayers relate to the larger theme of creation, revelation, or redemption.

Closing Reflection:

1. What is the most interesting thing you learned today about the blessings surrounding the Shema?

2. Why do you think the Shema is surrounded by prayers about creation, revelation, and redemption?

3. If you were making a prayer book that had to include the Shema, would you put the same prayers around the Shema? Why or why not?

what is the shema? 1. “the watchword of our faith” watchword = a slogan, rallying cry, or...

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