The “Shema”
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The “Shema”
In this study we will be looking at our beloved “Shema”, but also look at the entire chapter, and what it all means to us today!
יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁמַע
דְּבָרִים - Devarim-Deuteronomy
6:4-5. (MEC).
“Hear, O Israel: the LORD our G-d, the LORD is ONE”.
יִשְׂרָאֵל:
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵינוּ,
יְהוָה אֶחָד שְׁמַע (Vs: 4).
DTransliteration:.
“Shema Yisroel, YaH’VaH Elohei’nu, YaH’VaH E’CHAD”.
וְאָהַבְתָּ, אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁךָ, וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶךָ (Vs: 5).
Transliteration:.
“Ve’ahav’ta et YaH’VaH Elohei’cha Be’chol-Le’vav’cha Oev'chol Naf’shecha Oev’chol me'odecha”.
“And thou shalt love אֱלֹהֶיךָ- יָהוָה(YH’VH Elohei’cha) with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might”.
Let us now look at what Davarim - Deuteronomy Chapter 6 really tells, and teaches us!
1.
Overview & Structure:.
Verses 1 to 3: Moshe - Moses reminds Israel to keep אֱלֹהִים (Elohim-G-d) statutes and promises longevity and blessing in the land.
Verses 4 to 5: The “Shema Yisroel” clearly states that “יָהוָה (YH’VH) is ONE” and the call to love אֱלֹהִים (G-d) with all your heart, soul, and might.
Verses 6 to 9: Internalize אֱלֹהִים (Elohim’s) word and teach it day and night, and men are to bind it (the Tefillin) as a sign on hand and forehead, and to write on doorposts (Mezuzahs).
Verses 10 to 19: Warning against forgetting אֱלֹהִים, be it in prosperity or chasing other deity’s.
Verses 20 to 25: Instructing parents how to explain אֱלֹהִים deliverance from Egypt to their children (faithfully keep Pesach - Passover).
2. The Key Themes:.
Monotheism - the Absolute oneness of אֱלֹהִים-hwhy, rejecting every form of idolatry.
Total devotion - our Faith must fill our mind, heart, body and with all our resources!
Covenant memory - Success in the ‘Promised Land’ depends on remembering deliverance and obedience.
Generational faith - Parents carry responsibility to teach and model אֱלֹהִים ways to their children.
3. Theological Insights:
Greatest Commandment - Love אֱלֹהִים with all your heart and soul!
Heart Vs ritual - External symbols such as “phylacteries”, “mezuzah”) point to an inward, heartfelt obedience unto אֱלֹהִים-hwhy (YH’VH Elohim).
Grace and warning - Blessings flow from grace, but forgetting אֱלֹהִים carries very real consequences.
4. Practical Applications:
Family devotions - Make reading the Tanakh, saying our Prayers תְּפִלָּה-Te’fee’lah and saying our Blessings בְּרָכָה-Be’ra’chah’s a daily habit with your children, grandchildren, etc.
Visible reminders – Keep your Tanakh visible, and use bookmarks, even wall plaques to prompt your reflection on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s precious Word!
Mindful prosperity - In times of comfort, remember to pause and thank אֱלֹהִים for past deliverance and before making any particular plans.
Storytelling - Keep the “Shemot – Exodus” narrative alive by sharing it at meals or during family gatherings!
5. Reflection Questions:
1. What daily routines can help you to “bind” אֱלֹהִים (Elohim’s) Word in your heart?
2. How might you teach or retell the “Exodus” story to younger friends or מִשְׁפָּחָה – Mishpacheh, family?
3. When have you felt tempted to “forget” אֱלֹהִים during certain times of unease?
4. Which symbol or practice most helps you remember אֱלֹהִים throughout your day?
6. Further way’s to Study:
Compare the “Shema Yisroel” and so many treasures we have in our beloved Torah / Tanakh!
Explore the “Mezuzah”, (the doorpost scrolls) and “Tefillin” (phylacteries) came to us in verses 6 to 9.
Reflect on your understanding of loving אֱלֹהִים and linking to love Him and live a life of obedience!
Look at Davarim - Deuteronomy chapter 11:8, to see how Moshe repeats and expands these commands for an even deeper devotion.
“Therefore shall ye keep all the commandment which I command thee this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go over to possess it; and that ye may prolong your days upon the land, which hwhy swore unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land flowing with ‘milk and honey’”.
In
Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:
What line in this
Tehillim resonates the most with you? And How does
the tension between mourning and hope, mirror any of the struggles in your own
life in today’s rather sad cruel world?
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!
May the Shalom
(Peace) of יָהוָה צְבָאוֹת - (YHVH LORD of hosts) be with you, and always continue to uphold our ‘Shabbat’ and the
‘Yom Tovim’ and continue saying your daily תפילה - Tefee’lah (Prayers) and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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