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Woman covering her eyes while saying the Shema (Brian Negin/Flickr)
By Rabbi Adina Allen
Shema Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
These words, commonly known as the Shema, are traditionally recited by Jews as we begin and conclude each day. Bookending not just our days but our lives, the Shema is also commonly the first prayer we are taught as children and is the final prayer we utter on our deathbed as we pass from this world. The Shema is the mantra of Judaism.
The Shema begins with an imperative: Listen! Just that word alone is a powerful call. Listening is not an easy thing to do. True listening requires us to open ourselves up to another’s experience so that heart touches heart and we are changed.
How to Say It
Your complete guide to reciting the Shema, including translations and transliterations for all three blessings.
Your Prayer Questions Answered
Why do we cover our eyes while we say Shema?
Where does the text of the Shema prayer come from? Read the Torah portion, Vaetchanan, with the original text.
Prayer has been the foundation of Jewish ritual and practice for thousands of years, but you may still wonder how and why to say the prayers in the canon. At My Jewish Learning, we invite you to explore the deeper side of prayer. Each week we'll share a unique exploration of a particular Jewish prayer, plus offer background materials and more to enhance your understanding. In the meantime, you can explore all of MJL's prayer resources here.
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