The Shema
The Daily Declaration of Faith
Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל) (“Hear, O Israel”) are the first two words of a section of the Torah that is the centerpiece of the morning and evening prayer services, encapsulating the monotheistic essence of Judaism:
“Hear, O Israel: the L-rd is our G‑d, the L-rd is one.”
In its entirety, the Shema consists of three paragraphs: Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 11:13–21 and Numbers 15:37–41.
Its recitation twice daily (morning and evening) is a biblical commandment. In addition, we recite it just before retiring for the night, as well as in the Kedushah service on Shabbat.
Indeed, this succinct statement has become so central to the Jewish people that it is the climax of the final Ne’ilah prayer of Yom Kippur, and is traditionally a Jew’s last words on earth.
Click here for the text of the Shema in Hebrew and English.
Bedtime Shema in Hebrew and English (PDF) The full bedtime Shema according to Chabad custom, courtesy of Kehot Publication Society, with vowelized Hebrew and full English translation.
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8 Practical Meditations on Shema How to make Shema meaningful and relevant
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Hamapil Text and Translation This prayer is recited immediately before going to bed.
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Join the Discussion
Recognizing that G-d is one is so important for a Jew. With one infinite G-d that we have that created us and the whole universe and always was, is, and always will be, and with a G-d that is all good, we know that we have Divine commandments that not only can't be changed, but are perfect. This is comforting for a Jew. We know we are doing what is perfectly best for us and our souls such as keeping Shabbat. And we know we are following the truth. G-d is infinite and all good and we have infinitely perfect instructions for the best way to live life. The Torah is compared to life. It has moral codes to live by and also codes unique for a Jew. Hanukkah isn't too far from now. We are meant to be a light unto the nations. G-d chose us because He knew we would follow His commandments. Let us all as Jews come together this Hanukkah even with these dark times and be that light, recognizing that G-d controls everything and everything He does is perfect and the Holy One controlling our lives.
Yes remembering constantly that G-d is one is truly the most important thing to me. To be a light to the nations this is essential. It is what is bringing people out of false religion, when it is backed up in scripture so many times. It is what helped me (along with Rabbi Tovia Singer) to recognize my life long religion that I was born into was a false religion and gain the courage to leave it behind.
I could be the stranger or the foreigner in your gates. I m hear to learn about the Shema, and as much as possible. Halleluyah!
Thank you for sharing this.
And here I thought I was the only one who sees the whole Hamas ongoing event in the same light, it is great to know that you feel the same. God's love is so real. I wake up every morning, and I feel extremely privileged to come before God and thank him for EVERYTHING!
Truly, truly enjoyed this post and comments. The love energy is God sent. It answered questions I had as well. My, my, my so exciting is God's word! and to see, feel and hear it's discussions taking place, a perfect ending to my day! Accepting the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven...just letting those words and meaning soak in.
It always disturbed me growing up when I read Ezekiel 9:4 and many times I asked God why the children!?! His answer was in the Shema...because if they are not taught to love God, to know God, they will be foreign or haters of God from generation to generation. An example may be Hamas, violence against God, and His People, taught from generation to generation. Thank you for providing this discussion.
Does one recit the Shema in it's entirety two times daily? Or is it sufficient to say the " Hear, O Israel: G‑d is our L‑rd, G‑d is one.”
The entire Shema, all three paragraphs, is recited twice daily.
Deborah, I love this section: I learn from you all. Very good questions and answers. I will come to here for more instruction. The Shema means so much to me. I am an elder person and some of these things are new to me. Thank you Rabbi's for your input and helping us to understand. I will come with questions I have as I study.
As a secular Jew I am so grateful that it this week so I'm finally honoring Hashem my two questions(1) when do I recite the schma(2) did the Bible tell other women devastating schma be done during the day right after I say the mode ani thank you so much
That is wonderful. 1. One should recite the Shema in the first few hours of the day. 2. Women should recite at least the first two verses Shema and Boruch Shem, though the Bible obligated only men in time-bound Mitzvot, which Shema is. Please see What You Need to Know About Women's Prayer. I would just like to add, that no matter what a Jew's background is and what they may or may not have practiced, every Jew has the privilege of participating in Judaism to the fullest.
Is there a reason the Numbers verse comes after the two Deuteronomy verses in the Shema?
"Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korḥa said: Why, in the mitzva of the recitation of Shema, did the portion of Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) precede that of VeHaya im Shamoa (Deuteronomy 11:13-21)? This is so that one will first accept upon himself the yoke of the kingdom of Heaven, the awareness of God and God’s unity, and only then accept upon himself the yoke of the mitzvot, which appears in the paragraph of VeHaya im Shamoa. Why did VeHaya im Shamoa precede VaYomer (Numbers 15:37-41)? Because the paragraph of VeHaya im Shamoa is practiced both by day and by night, while VaYomer, which discusses the mitzva of ritual fringes, is only practiced during the day.
i need some guidance on prayers, reading and studying Torah. . As a woman, how does one dress for prayers in one's home. What are all women's obligations to prayer and study
So do I. Did anyone ever answer you? Please share if they did. Thank you.
Very good question? I wouldn't have thought of it.
Hi Soraya and all others with the same question,
Please reach out to us at Ask the Rabbi, using the link on the top of the page. We're happy to be of help with this!
So refreshing to see women take these on themselves!
Please know that answers will vary, depending on whether you identify as Sephardi or Ashkenaz. Answers will also vary depending on which “branch” of Judaism (a poor way to describe this). Chabad women might , when they can, prefer to pray three times daily. That’s a tough call, if one has little ones to mother. In other branches. Women might be obligated only once daily. Shema must be said twice daily. Our heads are always covered, when praying. This is only basic. Once you decide what you identify with, you will find a rabbi and he will guide you in the particulars.
May HaShem bless you as you turn to Him.
i need to know time for prayers
bout and knight
like here meny Shabbat worshippers don't have assess to seddur
Thank you so much for this response. I read the 613, amongst the first 30, t states that the Shema be recited/read 2x daily.
I am looking for the scripture that says we are suppose to recite it twice a day. Can you please let me know where it is. I can't find the scripture and my children are asking for it. Thanks in advance.
In both of the first two paragraphs of Shema, is says that we must speak of them "when you lie down and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7 and Deuteronomy 11:19. This means "in the time when you lie down" which is at night and "in the time when you rise" which is the morning.
See Rashi on Deuteronomy 6:7.
Thank you.
who inserted the phrases, " in the time,"? that's not in the scripture- how do you know to edit this ??
I see 4x, when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise.... surely this is not a ritualistic matter but rather an urging to be ever mindful of HIS commands, to have them written on our hearts so that in all matters we walk the correct way.... ahh but you need to wait for the 'new covenant' spoken of when HE will write his commands on our hearts rather than tablets of stone.
When looking at the Shema, does it not state "and speak of them" giving the command to say Shema, then "when you sit in your house" which means after you have gotten up, but before you leave your home, then "when you walk on the way" meaning when you leave your home, then "when you lie down" meaning when you lie down to go to sleep, just as you said and Rashi stated, then also "when you rise up" meaning when you first awake, is this not a command to say the Shema not twice, but rather four times daily?
Mr Moor, we Jews, when G’d-fearing and full of emuna (faith) and bitachon (trust), are in constant communication with our Father, the Master of the Universe, whom we know to be the Master of Mercy. For this reason, when we repent and ask HaShem to help us, He indeed changes us. It is He who causes us to successfully walk in His ways. If you want to wait for another time or situation, you certainly can. But we prefer to not miss out on His mercies. We enjoy Him right now.
The command "when you lie down and when you rise up" refers specifically to the Shema, while the command "when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way" refers to Torah study in general.
Hi there, what scripture commands us to recite this particular prayer twice a day?
Devarim 6:7
Hi. I have been looking the full text of Emet v'Yatziv prayer to complete my prayer book of Shema for the morning. Can you help me access the text?. Thanks
I know that I have read it, but I cannot remember where. The passage is that there should be no intermediaries between man and God in prayer.
Please how can I convert to start practicing Judaism. Am in Nigeria lagos and am Igbo. I am told that I am Jewish by origins. And now I want to start practicing so that all the blessing that G-d promised our fathers would be bestowed on me and my children. Please someone help me
Hello Akachukwu,
I would contact the website and ask a rabbi who will direct you and help you return home.
I am happy you have reached out and am sure the Chabad will contact you to assist you,
Shabbat Shalom,
Melanie Pyle
Arizona, USA
Welcome back to our Family, Akachukwu! It feels so good to have you back! Beside learning all you can from Rabbis and other Jews, I recommend reading from the Torah and the whole Tanakh, and everything you can about Jewish culture, customs and history, including Igbo history. The more Torah you read, the more you will ponder it and the people in the Bible will come to feel like and remind you of members of your own family, and the more you will want to read more from it. These are your people, Akachukwu. The Igbo are descended from one of the ten Tribes of Israel that scattered worldwide after invading Assyrians conquered and dispersed the Kingdom of Israel, as are the Falashas from Ethiopia and many from India and Central Asia. My grandparents came to the US from western Russia with their parents a little over a century ago.
I could just go on writing for days and days to you about these things.
There is so much to live, learn, and know.
Dear Akachukwu,
First, know that you are not alone in your longing to know G-d and to practice all that Torah has for us. Countless non-Jews and ‘possibly-Jewish’ people see the solidity of the Truth of Torah and want to be part of its beautiful obligations. You are in good company!
Secondly: As another writer replied already, this Chabad website has staff who are dedicated to helping people learn. Please google ‘Ask the Rabbi’ to enter a formal request for a Chabad Rabbi near you who can start you on your learning path. Surely there will be one in or near Nigeria.
May HaShem answer your heart’s cry.
Dear friend. Like you, I was lost at first. I found some wonderful websites, the rest will flow
That is good. You are not alone. I am an Igbo too. We must trace our origin and I have been following everything and prayers. From the Jewish community online. So, do not be afraid you will soon reconnect. It is not easy sometimes you feel alone just like me in Uganda but I am proud of my origin with its tradition and these days some of my friends are asking me how they can become part of us. With time everything will unfold.
want somebody help speak Hebrew I wish someone help me do say these words God is our the Lord God is one and try different words please
Deuteronomy 6:4
Sh'ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai Echad. (placing r hand over eyes)
(And the silently) Baruch Shem Kavod Malchuto LaOlam Vaed.
The Sh'ma prayer is on Chabad.Org in Hebrew transliteration. I believe that's what you might be looking for.
God is our Lord = Adonai ( God ) Eloheinu = Elohim ( another word for God or Lord ) and instead of the ending “im” it is “einu” , meaning ours.
why do you need different words - the originals seem clear and just fine!
Shema In the prayer book, there is a short Shema in the beginning of morning prayer and then a longer one. Which one is required, and are they both required to be said before mid morning or by mid day… Thank you very much
Both are required. One of the reasons for the first Shema is that by the time one reaches the Shema in middle of the prayers, the time for the recitation of Shema may have passed (a quarter of the daylight hours). Thus by saying the small Shema before the beginning of the prayer, we have at least read Shema in time.
For more about this minor Shema, its history and purpose please listen to
The Minor Shema Discussions on Prayer.
One is sweet I like that the word 'one' is with the letter 'ח' and not with the letter 'כ', so the word is sweet and not hard.
No such thing as echad with כ
If a woman is obligated to say Shema 3 times a day? Thank you
Baruch HaShem, I am grateful to you for having this available. Makes for easier learning and comprehension