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Shema Israel – Hear, Israel!

The most important prayer in Judaism (Deut 6)

Deut 6, 4-9 Hear, Israel – “Shema Israel” This text is the most important text in Judaism and should be spoken by Jews every day. It is the central prayer in Judaism.

And bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes – These words are taken literally by Jews: Straps made from the leather of a kosher animal are used to bind small boxes containing this prayer, Shema Israel, also written on parchment made from kosher animal leather. These boxes (Tefillin) are not worn on Shabbat or in the dark. By the way, in Chapter 6 of Deuteronomy, we read nothing about these boxes. But parallel to the written Torah (the Pentateuch), there is the so-called Oral Torah, which likely describes exactly how the words of Shema Israel should be placed on the hand and between the eyes. Interestingly, Israel’s enemies also write their hateful slogans about Israel on headbands and armbands. However, certain symbols for the head and hands are also used outside of religious life: for example, in professions with uniforms – signs of rank, logos, and badges placed on headgear, sleeves, or shoulder straps. Here, Revelation 13:16-17 is also worth mentioning: “... And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Thus, it could refer to those who, instead of Tefillin, receive the mark of the beast where God’s word (“Hear, Israel!..”) should be.

And write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. – Again, the text is not written directly on the doorposts, but placed in a small container that holds the text from Deut 6. This container is called "Mezuzah" in Hebrew, which translates to "doorpost". This text is spoken daily by all Jews. The Mezuzah is attached with a prayer slightly tilted on the doorframe, and when entering, it is traditionally touched with the hand.

Deut 6, 21If your son asks you in time to come... – In Judaism, the introduction of a person to the belief in God begins in early childhood

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