Illustration credit: Noa Kelner
Prayer in the Parashah תְּפִלָּה
The first paragraph of Shema, one of our central prayers, comes from this week’s parashah. When we say its opening line we perform קַבָּלַת עֹל מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם (accepting the yoke of Heaven), which means keeping ourselves aware that there is a Power above us.
(ד) שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יהוה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יהוה ׀ אֶחָֽד׃
Listen Israel, God is our Lord, God is Ehad (One).
What does this mean?
It could be a statement about the number of gods that exist: just The One!
It’s also possible to understand it as an expression of love. Calling God “Ehad” could be like saying: You are my one and only! You are beloved and special to me.
The connection between God’s oneness, and our love for God, is deepened in the next verse:
וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה’ אֱלֹקֶיךָ
You shall love God your Lord
- What does it mean to love God? How do you express that love?
- When have you experienced God’s love? How does it make you feel?
- Why do you think we say Shema so often? Why is it important to repeat this message at least twice a day?
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