The Blessings of the Shema

Thank you Rabbi Kaplan. One question - you say it is a fundamental jewish belief that Hashem creates the universe from 'nothing'. Doesn't the very word 'no-thing' imply the absence of God? This cannot be if God is part of everything. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that Hashem creates the Universe from His eternal essence (which may well appear to be 'nothing' from man's standpoint but in reality is not...)? Alternately to clarify that the word 'nothing' means no 'material' thing. Thanks again! Reply

Blessings of the Shema Thank you Rabbi Kaplan for your teaching. I always cry when I say the Shema, later to ask Hashem, blessed be He, to forgive me for crying when I know that we are supposed to be happy most of the time in our life, but as a woman that I am, I tell Him that we women cry when we are happy as well as when we are sad. If that is unfortunate, I do not really know, all I know is that I truly believe that He understand. Getting emotional about him is something in me that I cannot help. B"H Reply

Shema blessings Could not prayer also include praising Him for His Creation not just asking Him for things and complying with rules.
שמע ישראל את-יהוה אלהינו הוא אחד
אהיה אשר אהיה
Thank you Rabbi, very enlightening. Reply