What is judaism 101 shema?

The Shema is the central declaration of Jewish faith, consisting of three Torah passages (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41), anchored by its opening verse: "Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad" — "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One" [Deuteronomy 6:4]. It is the most fundamental expression of Jewish monotheism and is recited twice daily — morning and evening — as a Torah commandment.

Key Takeaways

The Shema's opening line, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One," is the core declaration of Jewish monotheism and the most important verse in Jewish prayer.
The Shema is a Torah-level commandment (mitzvah d'oraita) to be recited morning and evening, derived from the phrase "when you lie down and when you rise up" [Deuteronomy 6:7].
The Shema consists of three paragraphs from the Torah, each teaching a foundational principle: God's Oneness, reward and consequence, and the mitzvah of tzitzit (fringes).
The Shema is recited at the most significant moments in Jewish life — daily prayer, Yom Kippur, and traditionally as one's final words before death.
The letter Dalet (ד) of Echad (One) and the letter Ayin (ע) of Shema are written enlarged in Torah scrolls and siddurim, spelling the word עד — "witness," indicating that Israel testifies to God's Oneness.

The Opening Verse — The Heart of Jewish Faith

The foundational line is:

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד "Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad" "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." [Deuteronomy 6:4]

Rashi explains that Echad (One) means God, who is now "our God" and perhaps not fully recognized by the nations, will one day be acknowledged as the One God by all humanity [Rashi, Deuteronomy 6:4].

Maimonides (Rambam) teaches that accepting the Oneness of God (yichud Hashem) is the very first positive commandment of the Torah [Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:1].

The Three Paragraphs of the Shema

1. Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9)

This first paragraph declares God's absolute Oneness and commands love of God with "all your heart, all your soul, and all your might." It also commands:

Teaching Torah to one's children
Speaking of Torah "when you sit in your home, when you walk on the way, when you lie down and when you rise up" [Deuteronomy 6:7]
Binding tefillin (phylacteries) on the arm and head
Affixing a mezuzah on the doorpost

2. VeHaya Im Shamo'a (Deuteronomy 11:13–21)

This second paragraph introduces the concept of reward and punishment (schar va'onesh) — blessings of rain and prosperity for obedience, and withholding of rain for straying after other gods [Deuteronomy 11:13–17]. It repeats the commands of tefillin and mezuzah, reinforcing their centrality.

3. VaYomer (Numbers 15:37–41)

The third paragraph commands wearing tzitzit (fringes on garments) as a constant reminder of all the commandments and to avoid following one's heart and eyes astray. It concludes by recalling the Exodus from Egypt — the foundational act of God's relationship with Israel.

When Is the Shema Recited?

The commandment derives from [Deuteronomy 6:7]: "uveshochbecha uvekumecha" — "when you lie down and when you rise up."

| Time | Prayer | |---|---| | Morning (Shacharit) | Recited as part of Pesukei D'Zimra and before the Amidah | | Evening (Maariv) | Recited before the Amidah | | Bedtime (Kriat Shema al HaMita) | A shorter version recited before sleep | | Yom Kippur | The congregation proclaims it together at the end of Neilah |

The Talmud [Berakhot 2a] opens with the very question: "From when may one recite the Shema in the evening?" — showing how central this practice is to Jewish law.

The Response Line — Baruch Shem

Immediately after the first verse, we quietly recite:

בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד "Baruch Shem kevod malkhuto le'olam va'ed" "Blessed is the Name of His glorious Kingdom forever and ever."

This line is said quietly on weekdays (because it is not from the Torah directly) but aloud on Yom Kippur [Talmud, Pesachim 56a]. The Midrash traces this response to Jacob (Yaakov Avinu), who proclaimed it on his deathbed when his sons affirmed "Shema Yisrael" to him [Midrash, Bereishit Rabbah 98:4].

The Shema at Life's Most Sacred Moments

At death: It is a longstanding tradition to recite the Shema as one's final words, affirming faith in God's Oneness at the moment of passing.
Yom Kippur: The entire congregation recites it together aloud seven times at the conclusion of Neilah.
In the Tachanun prayer, the liturgy invokes those who say Shema as Israel's most defining act: "שְׁמוֹר שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאַל יֹאבַד יִשְׂרָאֵל הָאֹמְרִים שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל" — "Guard the remnant of Israel and let not Israel perish — those who proclaim Shema Yisrael"* [Siddur, Tachanun, Shomer Yisrael].

Deeper Meaning — Sod (Mystical Dimension)

The Kabbalists teach that the word Echad (אֶחָד — numerically = 13) corresponds to Ahavah (אַהֲבָה — love = 13), teaching that God's Oneness and His love for Israel are intertwined.

The Zohar explains that when one recites the Shema with full concentration (kavanah), one draws down divine unity into all worlds — the ultimate act of spiritual unification.

For personal guidance on the laws of reciting the Shema, including proper pronunciation, timing, and intent, consult your local rabbi or posek.