Shema Videos

The Shema contains fundamental beliefs about G‑d, Torah and mitzvot. But much of the second paragraph repeats the first. Why the need for this repetition?

An analysis of the first two paragraphs of the Shema express two modes of interaction with the divine, and an inspiring and encouraging message for our times. (Likutei Sichos vol. 9)

“Hear O’ Israel…G-d is One” is arguably the most essential statements of the Jewish faith. Discover layers of meaning to this central verse we recite daily.

The twelve Torah passages (known as the 12 Pesukim) present the Torah’s fundamental ideas empowering us with the spiritual strength needed to face the current challenges in life. The second step is the verse “Shema Yisrael” (“Hear, O Israel: G d is our L rd, G d is one”). Discover how this key passage expresses our deep connection and loyalty to G-d, and testifies to the ultimate presence of the divine in this world!

Many fundamental beliefs of Judaism can be found in this prayer. Learn how to internalize its message to improve your relationship with G-d.

How do you find faith even in a moment of fear?

The Shema prayer has always been a central prayer for Jews in times of difficulty and times of wonder, connecting us to G-d as well as other Jews. Find out about the history, evolution and meaning of this prayer and why it is such a powerful prayer for us.

The central prayer of Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel . . . G-d Is One) begins with the essential statement of Jewish faith, wherein we proclaim our absolute belief in one unified G-d. Discover profound insight into how the Shema stands at the epicenter of our existence and ultimately encapsulates our historic experience at Sinai.

The first step of Shema is to lift yourself into a space from which you can see the view from above.

We use the emergence of speech from the human psyche to experience the act of creation within ourselves.

Real secrets don't need to be hidden--they are known only to those who already know. The most absolute secret is to know existence itself.

Now we bring this all back down to earth with an added line after the Shema.

There are two ways to use energy either by harnessing it or by unleashing it. Which one is greater?

“And you shall love G-d your L-rd with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might”. This class explains these three loves and how to attain them, in both our relationship with G-d and with our life’s partner.

The Torah commands us to “love G-d with all your heart”. The Hebrew word for 'heart' is spelled with an extra letter: the letter 'vet' appears twice. Our Sages explain that this means that we are to love G-d with both inclinations of the heart, the good (yetzer tov) and the evil (yetzer hara). But how can one possibly love G-d with one's evil inclination?! This class offers three answers in ascending sequence and offers a parallel model for a blissful marriage.

In the verse “Hear O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is One,” (Deuteronomy 6:4) the letter Ayin in the word Shema (Hear) and the letter Daled in the word Echad (One) are both unusually large. Ayin and Dalet spell Ayd (witness) to teach us that when we recite the Shema we should bear witness to G-d’s Oneness.

In our prayers, the verse “Shema Yisrael” is followed by a verse that appears nowhere in the Torah. What is its origin? Why do we whisper it all year long, and why do we say it out loud on Yom Kippur?

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 20 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 21 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.

Are we a contradiction to G-d's omnipresence? Can our world and G-d coesxit?

In this class you will study the Chassidic elucidation of the grammatical choice of the word echad ("one") in the Shema, in contrast to yachid ("singular"), and the significant implication of this to G‑d's relationship with creation.

Prior to the formal prayer service, we recite the minor Shema prayers declaring G-d’s oneness. We proceed to state Torah passages related to the Temple service, both the animal and incense offerings—and engage in minimal Torah study.

The third section of prayer consists of the Shema and its preceding and following blessings. They correspond to the third rung on the ladder of prayer—the realm of intelligence, which is higher than the previous two rungs of action and emotion.

In this class we learn the deeper meaning of the verse “Shema Yisroel” (Hear O’ Israel), in which we bear witness to the oneness of G-d.

In the first paragraph of the Shema (v’Ahavta), after submitting to G-d’s sovereignty, we accept the yoke of His commandments. This begins with the instruction to love G-d, which motivates and energizes the performance of mitzvahs. This class also addresses the famous question of how G-d can expect us to love Him on command.

The second paragraph of the Shema (v’hayah) restates and expands on elements of the first paragraph, but in markedly different form. Also, the Torah informs us of the ‘reward and punishment’ for mitzvah observance, warning us not to abandon them.

The third section of the Shema contains the mitzvah of tzitzit, which serves as a reminder for our commitment to all of G-d’s mitzvahs, and not fall astray to our eyes and hearts temptations. It concludes with the remembrance of the exodus from Egypt.