https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema.xml /articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema xml article The Shema The central declaration of Jewish faith — recited twice daily and at the moment of death. The New Jew /index.xml Prayer & Liturgy /sections/prayer-liturgy.xml The Shema /articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema.xml https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema.json <_xml>https://staging.thenewjew.org/articles/essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema.xml
essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema The Shema The central declaration of Jewish faith — recited twice daily and at the moment of death. Summary. The Shema is the central declaration of Jewish monotheism, drawn from three Torah passages: Devarim 6:4–9, Devarim 11:13–21, and Bamidbar 15:37–41. It is recited in Shacharit (morning) and Ma’ariv (evening) prayers, in the bedtime Kriyat Shema, and ideally as the last words on a Jew’s lips at death. The opening verse (Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad) is the first verse Jewish children learn. The second line (Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va-ed) is recited silently, except on Yom Kippur when it is shouted. essential essentials shema prayer central 2026-07-06T02:19:03.001Z 633 3
prayer-liturgy Prayer & Liturgy
https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-shema-mubrnk08-4dba67af.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-shema-crop-mubs5230-5f028848-large.png https://pub-73c694f3dc3c4d0ea8f98f090d227a0d.r2.dev/article-images/the-shema-crop-mubs5230-5f028848-thumb.png The Shema summary Summary. The [Shema](/glossary.xml#letter-S) is the central declaration of Jewish monotheism, drawn from three [Torah](/glossary.xml#letter-T) passages: [Devarim 6:4](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.4)–9, [Devarim 11:13–21](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.11.13-21), and [Bamidbar 15:37–41](https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.15.37-41). It is recited in [Shacharit](/glossary.xml#letter-S) (morning) and [Ma’ariv](/glossary.xml#letter-M) (evening) prayers, in the bedtime Kriyat Shema, and ideally as the last words on a Jew’s lips at death. The opening verse (Shema [Yisrael](/glossary.xml#letter-Y), [Adonai](/glossary.xml#letter-A) [Eloheinu](/glossary.xml#letter-E), Adonai Echad) is the first verse Jewish children learn. The second line (Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va-ed) is recited silently, except on [Yom Kippur](/glossary.xml#letter-Y) when it is shouted. Summary. The Shema is the central declaration of Jewish monotheism, drawn from three Torah passages: Devarim 6:4–9, Devarim 11:13–21, and Bamidbar 15:37–41. It is recited in Shacharit (morning) and Ma’ariv (evening) prayers, in the bedtime Kriyat Shema, and ideally as the last words on a Jew’s lips at death. The opening verse (Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad) is the first verse Jewish children learn. The second line (Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va-ed) is recited silently, except on Yom Kippur when it is shouted. heading The Opening Verse The Opening Verse paragraph שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד paragraph Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad — “Hear, O Israel: [Hashem](/glossary.xml#letter-H) is our God, Hashem is One.” Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad — “Hear, O Israel: Hashem is our God, Hashem is One.” paragraph [Devarim](/glossary.xml#letter-D) 6:4. The Hebrew [echad](/glossary.xml#letter-E) carries the weight of singularity, unity, and indivisibility. The Kabbalists read into the word the totality of divine emanation. The customary practice is to cover the eyes with the right hand while reciting, to focus the heart and mind. Devarim 6:4. The Hebrew echad carries the weight of singularity, unity, and indivisibility. The Kabbalists read into the word the totality of divine emanation. The customary practice is to cover the eyes with the right hand while reciting, to focus the heart and mind. heading The Silent Response The Silent Response paragraph בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתוֹ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד paragraph Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va-ed — “Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.” Baruch shem k’vod malchuto l’olam va-ed — “Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and ever.” paragraph This is not in the biblical text; it is a liturgical addition, recited silently throughout the year (with the exception of Yom Kippur, when it is recited aloud, in the manner of the angels). The [Talmud](/glossary.xml#letter-T) ([Pesachim 56a](https://www.sefaria.org/Pesachim.56a)) offers two explanations for the silent recitation. This is not in the biblical text; it is a liturgical addition, recited silently throughout the year (with the exception of Yom Kippur, when it is recited aloud, in the manner of the angels). The Talmud (Pesachim 56a) offers two explanations for the silent recitation. heading The Three Paragraphs The Three Paragraphs paragraph [V’ahavta](/glossary.xml#letter-V) ([Devarim 6:5–9](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.5-9)) — “And you shall love Hashem your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” This paragraph commands love of God, the teaching of Torah to one’s children, and the wearing of [tefillin](/glossary.xml#letter-T) and the mounting of [mezuzot](/glossary.xml#letter-M). (See the Editor’s word-by-word V’Ahavta study, reformatted in this Field Guide and as Hebrew_Glossary.xlsx.) V’ahavta (Devarim 6:5–9) — “And you shall love Hashem your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” This paragraph commands love of God, the teaching of Torah to one’s children, and the wearing of tefillin and the mounting of mezuzot. (See the Editor’s word-by-word V’Ahavta study, reformatted in this Field Guide and as Hebrew_Glossary.xlsx.) paragraph [V’haya im shamoa](/glossary.xml#letter-V) (Devarim 11:13–21) — the conditional promise of reward for obedience and consequence for disobedience. The second paragraph is omitted in classical [Reform](/glossary.xml#letter-R) liturgy as theologically uncomfortable, but is retained in Conservative and [Orthodox](/glossary.xml#letter-O) practice and in current Reform options. V’haya im shamoa (Devarim 11:13–21) — the conditional promise of reward for obedience and consequence for disobedience. The second paragraph is omitted in classical Reform liturgy as theologically uncomfortable, but is retained in Conservative and Orthodox practice and in current Reform options. paragraph [Vayomer](/glossary.xml#letter-V) ([Bamidbar](/glossary.xml#letter-B) 15:37–41) — the commandment of [tzitzit](/glossary.xml#letter-T) (fringes on the corners of garments), serving as a constant visual reminder of the [mitzvot](/glossary.xml#letter-M). This paragraph's Exodus reference is why the Sages required it to be recited at night as well as by day, even though tzitzit itself is a daytime-bound mitzvah (Mishnah Berachot 1:5) — a nightly remembrance of the redemption from Egypt. The Shema's morning-and-evening structure itself comes from “when you lie down and when you rise up” in the first paragraph (Devarim 6:7). Vayomer (Bamidbar 15:37–41) — the commandment of tzitzit (fringes on the corners of garments), serving as a constant visual reminder of the mitzvot. This paragraph's Exodus reference is why the Sages required it to be recited at night as well as by day, even though tzitzit itself is a daytime-bound mitzvah (Mishnah Berachot 1:5) — a nightly remembrance of the redemption from Egypt. The Shema's morning-and-evening structure itself comes from “when you lie down and when you rise up” in the first paragraph (Devarim 6:7). heading When the Shema Is Said When the Shema Is Said paragraph Shacharit, the morning service, by the latest time of the third hour of the day (calculated as one-quarter of the daylight hours). Shacharit, the morning service, by the latest time of the third hour of the day (calculated as one-quarter of the daylight hours). paragraph Ma’ariv, the evening service, after the appearance of three stars. Ma’ariv, the evening service, after the appearance of three stars. paragraph [Kriyat Shema al haMittah](/glossary.xml#letter-K) — the bedtime Shema, recited as the last formal act of the day. Kriyat Shema al haMittah — the bedtime Shema, recited as the last formal act of the day. paragraph As the last words on a Jew’s lips at death — the tradition of every Jewish martyr, going back to [Rabbi Akiva](/glossary.xml#letter-R) ([Talmud Berachot 61b](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.61b)). As the last words on a Jew’s lips at death — the tradition of every Jewish martyr, going back to Rabbi Akiva (Talmud Berachot 61b). heading Where Denominations Diverge Where Denominations Diverge paragraph Classical Reform ([Pittsburgh Platform](/glossary.xml#letter-P) era) omitted the second paragraph of the Shema; current Reform [Mishkan](/glossary.xml#letter-M) T’filah includes it as an option. The third paragraph (vayomer) is retained across all denominations. Reform and some Conservative [siddurim](/glossary.xml#letter-S) render Adonai with English-language gender alternatives; Orthodox retains the masculine inherited language. Classical Reform (Pittsburgh Platform era) omitted the second paragraph of the Shema; current Reform Mishkan T’filah includes it as an option. The third paragraph (vayomer) is retained across all denominations. Reform and some Conservative siddurim render Adonai with English-language gender alternatives; Orthodox retains the masculine inherited language. heading Sources Sources paragraph Torah: [Devarim 6:4–9](https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.4-9); Devarim 11:13–21; Bamidbar 15:37–41. Torah: Devarim 6:4–9; Devarim 11:13–21; Bamidbar 15:37–41. paragraph [Mishnah Berachot 1:1–4](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berakhot.1.1-4). Mishnah Berachot 1:1–4. paragraph [Talmud Bavli](/glossary.xml#letter-T), [Berachot 13b](https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.13b), 61b; Pesachim 56a. Talmud Bavli, Berachot 13b, 61b; Pesachim 56a. paragraph [Rambam](/glossary.xml#letter-R), [Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Kriyat Shema](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah,_Reading_the_Shema). Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Kriyat Shema. paragraph [Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 58–88](https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Orach_Chayim.58-88). Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 58–88. paragraph [Laws of Reciting the Shema (Part I) - Parshat Va'etchanan](https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/955162/jewish/Laws-of-Reciting-the-Shema-Part-I.htm) — Chabad.org. Laws of Reciting the Shema (Part I) - Parshat Va'etchanan — Chabad.org. paragraph [Shema: The 'Secrets' of the Eyes](https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/shema-the-secrets-of-the-eyes/) — Jewish Theological Seminary. Shema: The 'Secrets' of the Eyes — Jewish Theological Seminary. paragraph [Mishnah Berakhot 1:5](https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berakhot.1.5) — Sefaria. Mishnah Berakhot 1:5 — Sefaria. paragraph [Feminist Theology](https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/feminist-theology) — Jewish Women's Archive. Feminist Theology — Jewish Women's Archive. heading Further Reading Further Reading paragraph Norman Lamm, The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism. Norman Lamm, The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism. paragraph Reuven Hammer, Entering Jewish Prayer. Reuven Hammer, Entering Jewish Prayer. paragraph The Editor’s V’Ahavta word-by-word study (this Field Guide). The Editor’s V’Ahavta word-by-word study (this Field Guide). essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals Birkat Hamazon: The Grace After Meals deeper /articles/going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals.xml Adonai אֲדֹנָי Literally 'my Lord' — the name of God traditionally spoken in prayer and Torah reading in place of the four-letter divine name, which is never pronounced. Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר The fourth book of the Torah, called Numbers in English. The Hebrew name means 'in the wilderness,' where its narrative unfolds. Devarim דְּבָרִים The fifth book of the Torah — Deuteronomy — consisting of Moshe's farewell addresses. The name means 'words.' Eloheinu אֱלֹהֵינוּ 'Our God' — the possessive form of Elohim, familiar from the Shema and from the opening of nearly every blessing: 'Adonai Eloheinu, King of the universe.' Hashem הַשֵּׁם Literally "the Name" — the everyday reverent way Jews refer to God outside of prayer, avoiding casual use of the divine names. Kriyat Shema al haMitah קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע עַל הַמִּטָּה The bedtime Shema — the practice of reciting the Shema, with accompanying blessings, as the last words before sleep. Ma'ariv מַעֲרִיב The evening prayer service — the third of the three daily services, built around the Shema and the Amidah. going-deeper-deeper-prayers-the-three-daily-services Mishkan מִשְׁכָּן Literally 'dwelling place' — the portable sanctuary the Israelites built and carried through the wilderness, the forerunner of the Temple in Jerusalem. Orthodox Judaism Orthodox Judaism holds Halacha as fully binding and the Shulchan Aruch as its canonical code; it spans Haredi and Hasidic communities as well as Modern Orthodoxy, and is the starting point from which this Field Guide is written, even as it engages seriously with other denominations. how-to-use-this-field-guide Pittsburgh Platform Adopted by American Reform rabbis in 1885, the Pittsburgh Platform dismissed most ritual mitzvot as outdated "Mosaic legislation"; a second Pittsburgh Platform in 1999 reversed course, restoring the language of mitzvah as a serious religious category within Reform Judaism. essentials-essential-facts-the-613-mitzvot Rabbi Akiva רבי עקיבא Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef (c. 50–135 CE) rose from an unlettered shepherd to become the most influential sage of the Mishnaic period; tradition holds that he died a martyr's death with the Shema on his lips, the model for every Jew's final words. essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema Rambam רמב״ם Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known by the acronym Rambam and in the Latin West as Maimonides, was the towering rationalist codifier and philosopher of medieval Judaism — author of the legal code Mishneh Torah and the philosophical Guide for the Perplexed. His formulation of God's unity and incorporeality remains foundational to Jewish theology across denominations. essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god Reform Judaism Reform Judaism treats Halacha as a source of values and meaning rather than binding law, emphasizing individual autonomy, ethical monotheism, and tikkun olam; it was the first movement to fully recognize patrilineal descent and ordain women as rabbis. how-to-use-this-field-guide Shacharit שַׁחֲרִית The morning prayer service — the longest of the three daily services, built around the Shema and the Amidah. going-deeper-deeper-prayers-the-three-daily-services Shema שְׁמַע The central declaration of Jewish faith — 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One' — recited with its Torah paragraphs every morning and evening. essentials-essential-prayers-the-shema Talmud תלמוד The vast rabbinic work — the Mishnah together with the Gemara's discussion of it — that develops the Oral Torah into Jewish law and thought. It is the central text of Jewish study after the Bible itself. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Talmud Bavli תלמוד בבלי The Babylonian Talmud, completed around 500 CE in the academies of Babylonia — the more extensive of the two Talmuds and the authoritative one for Jewish law. essentials-essential-facts-the-talmud-in-one-article Torah תּוֹרָה The Five Books of Moses — the scroll at the center of Jewish life — and, more broadly, the whole of Jewish teaching. 'Learning Torah' can mean anything from Chumash to Talmud. V'Ahavta ואהבת 'And you shall love' — the paragraph following the Shema's opening line (Devarim 6:5–9), commanding love of God, teaching one's children, tefillin, and the mezuzah. V'haya im shamoa והיה אם שמע 'And it shall be, if you listen' — the second paragraph of the Shema (Devarim 11:13–21), linking Israel's faithfulness with the land's rain and produce; it is also written inside the mezuzah. Vayomer ויאמר The third paragraph of the Shema (Bamidbar 15:37–41), named for its opening word; it commands the tzitzit and recalls the Exodus. Yisrael ישראל Yisrael, the name given to the patriarch Yaakov after he wrestled with a divine being (Bereshit 32:29), means roughly "one who wrestles with God" and became the name of the Jewish people as a whole — a people defined, on this reading, by struggle and engagement rather than easy certainty. essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew Yom Kippur יום כיפור The Day of Atonement — the holiest day of the Jewish year, a 25-hour fast devoted to prayer, confession, and repair of one's relationships with God and with other people. holidays-yamim-noraim-yom-kippur echad אֶחָד 'One' — the final word of the Shema's first line, declaring God's absolute oneness. Saying it with full intention is the heart of the verse. mezuzah מְזוּזָה A small parchment scroll containing passages of the Shema, placed in a case and affixed to the doorposts of a Jewish home, fulfilling the Torah's command to write God's words 'on the doorposts of your house.' essentials-essential-judaica-mezuzah mitzvah מִצְוָה A commandment — one of the Torah's 613 divine instructions, and by extension any religious duty or good deed. The plural is mitzvot. essentials-essential-facts-the-613-mitzvot siddur סידור The Jewish prayer book (plural siddurim), from a root meaning 'order' — it arranges the daily, Shabbat, and festival prayers in their fixed sequence. where-to-start-your-first-siddur tefillin תפילין Two small leather boxes containing Torah passages, bound with straps on the arm and head during weekday morning prayer, fulfilling the command to bind God's words 'as a sign upon your hand.' essentials-essential-judaica-tefillin tzitzit ציצית The knotted fringes tied to the four corners of the tallit (and tallit katan), commanded in the Torah as a visible reminder of all the mitzvot. essentials-essential-judaica-tallit-and-tzitzit parent Prayer & Liturgy /sections/prayer-liturgy.xml related Who is a Jew? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-who-is-a-jew.xml related What Does Judaism Teach About God? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-what-does-judaism-teach-about-god.xml related Do Jews Believe in an Afterlife? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-do-jews-believe-in-an-afterlife.xml related Why Do Jews Not Believe in Jesus? /articles/essentials-essential-questions-why-do-jews-not-believe-in-jesus.xml related Birkat Hamazon: The Grace After Meals /articles/going-deeper-deeper-prayers-birkat-hamazon-the-grace-after-meals.xml