The Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל) is one of the most central and powerful and known prayers in Jewish tradition. It is a declaration of faith and a reminder of the core belief in one God. The prayer originates from the Torah (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and is recited during morning and evening prayers.
The Shema (In Hebrew and Transliteration)
Hebrew:
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד
Transliteration:
Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad
English Translation:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
Expanded Passage (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
The full passage continues with instructions on loving God and teaching His commandments:
Hebrew:
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ
וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנוֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ
וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ וּבְשָׁכְבְּךָ וּבְקוּמֶךָ
וּקְשַׁרְתָּם לְאוֹת עַל יָדֶךָ וְהָיוּ לְטוֹטָפֹת בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ
וּכְתַבְתָּם עַל מְזוּזוֹת בֵּיתֶךָ וּבִשְׁעָרֶיךָ
Transliteration:
V’ahavta et Adonai Elohecha b’chol l’vavcha u’v’chol nafshecha u’v’chol me’odecha.
V’hayu had’varim ha’eileh asher anochi m’tzav’cha hayom al l’vavecha.
V’shinantam l’vanecha v’dibarta bam b’shiv’t’cha b’veitecha u’v’lechtecha vaderech u’v’shochb’cha u’v’kumecha.
Ukshartam l’ot al yadecha v’hayu l’totafot bein einecha.
Uchtavtam al m’zuzot beitecha u’vish’arecha.
English Translation:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
These words that I command you today shall be upon your heart.
Teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk along the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Significance of the Shema
- The Shema is considered the ultimate declaration of Jewish faith in one God.
- It is often the first prayer a Jewish child learns and is traditionally the last prayer recited before death.
- Observant Jews recite the Shema twice daily — during Shacharit (morning prayer) and Ma’ariv (evening prayer).
- The Shema is also written on parchment and placed inside a mezuzah, which is affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes.
Throughout Jewish history, the Shema has been a source of strength in moments of hardship. During periods of persecution, oppression, or exile, Jewish communities would turn to the Shema as a symbol of unwavering faith. It’s said that Jewish martyrs often uttered the Shema with their final breaths, demonstrating their steadfast belief even in the darkest times.