Andre Widodo
© ORI
Shalom,
The "SH'MA" is the most important commandment in Judaism. It is a centerpiece of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. It is traditional for the Jewish to say the SH'MA as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night.
The term "SH'MA" is used by extension to refer to the whole part of the daily prayers that commences with "SH'MA YISRA'EL" and comprises Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13-21, and Numbers 15:37–41. These sections of the Torah are read in the weekly Torah Portions: Parashah Va'etchanan, Eikev, and Shlach, respectively.
"SH'MA" is "AHAVAT HA'SHEM". It is the "LOVE OF HA'SHEM". We can NOT do the rest of all mitzvot (commandments) without knowing first to whom we are serving to. So, that's why "SH'MA" is the most important thing in all mitzvoth (commandments).
"SH'MA" is a “3-in-1” prayer. There are 3 Names of God appears in the six primary words, and that the "SH'MA" and its blessings is composed of 3 separate portions (the V’AHAVTA, V'HAYAH, and VAYOMER).
What is ECHAD? ECHAD means ONE.
What is the idea of ECHDUT? ECHDUT means ONENESS.
Because G-d is One - ECHAD (not YACHID) - the very great commandment is to become ONE with Him in LOVE: HEAR, O ISRAEL, THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE - and therefore you SHALL LOVE the LORD (b’khol levavkha) - with all your heart (uvkhol nafshekha) - with all your soul (uv’khol me’odekha) - with all your “muchness,” so that you are
part of His UNITY in LOVE. See John 17:11, 22-23.
John 17:11 - Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Now I am no longer in the world. They are in the world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, guard them by the power of your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be ONE [ECHAD], just as we are.
John 17:22-23 - Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be ONE [ECHAD], just as we are ONE [ECHAD] — I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely ONE [ECHAD], and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.
Is it important to teach our children SH'MA and all the commandments? YES!
It is vital and part of the central commandment of Torah: “You shall teach them diligently to your children....” The Hebrew here [וְשִׁנַּנְתָּ֣ם לְבָנֶ֔יךָ - v'shi.nan.tam l'va.nei.cha] implies inculcation, repeating over and over again. See also Deut. 11:18-20.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20 - Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Therefore, you are to store up these words of mine in your heart and in all your being; tie them on your hand as a sign; put them at the front of a headband around your forehead; teach them carefully to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up; and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates —
Baruch Ha'Shem!
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