What is shema israel in hebrew and english?

The Shema Yisrael (שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל) is the foundational declaration of Jewish faith, found in Deuteronomy 6:4. In Hebrew it reads: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד — and in English: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." It is the central proclamation of Jewish monotheism, recited daily in prayer.

Key Takeaways

• The Shema is a single verse from Deuteronomy 6:4, but in practice it encompasses three full Torah paragraphs (Deut. 6:4–9, Deut. 11:13–21, and Num. 15:37–41).
• The verse declares the absolute unity and oneness of God — the core of Jewish belief.
• It is recited twice daily — in the morning (Shacharit) and evening (Maariv) prayers.
• The word Shema (שְׁמַע) means "Hear" or "Listen," implying both intellectual understanding and personal acceptance.
• It is traditionally the last declaration a Jew makes before death.

---

The Hebrew Text and Translation

The Core Verse

[Deuteronomy 6:4]:

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד "Hear, O Israel: the LORD is our God, the LORD is One."

Each word carries profound meaning:

• שְׁמַע (Shema) — "Hear/Listen"
• יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrael) — "Israel" (both the nation and each individual)
• יְהוָה (Hashem) — the divine Name, indicating God's eternal existence
• אֱלֹהֵינוּ (Eloheinu) — "our God," indicating a personal relationship
• יְהוָה אֶחָד (Hashem Echad) — "the LORD is One," the declaration of absolute unity

---

The Continuation: Full First Paragraph

The Shema continues immediately in [Deuteronomy 6:5–9]:

וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכׇל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכׇל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכׇל־מְאֹדֶךָ "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might."

This paragraph commands love of God, Torah study, wearing tefillin, and affixing a mezuzah — the practical expressions of the Shema's declaration.

---

The Shema in the Siddur (Prayer Book)

The Shema appears in multiple contexts in the liturgy [Siddur Ashkenaz]:

• Shacharit and Maariv — recited as part of the Blessings of the Shema section
• Torah Reading on Shabbat — proclaimed aloud when removing the Torah from the Ark [Siddur Ashkenaz, Shabbat, Shacharit, Torah Reading]
• Kedushah of Musaf on Shabbat — the congregation recites it together [Siddur Ashkenaz, Shabbat, Musaf]
• Tachanun (supplication) — referenced in the prayer Shomer Yisrael: "Guardian of Israel, guard the remnant of Israel, and let Israel not perish — those who declare Shema Yisrael" [Siddur Ashkenaz, Weekday, Tachanun]

---

Deeper Meaning

Rashi on Deuteronomy 6:4 explains that "Hashem Echad" means: God, who is now known as our God (by Israel alone), will one day be recognized as the One God by all nations.

Maimonides (Rambam) lists belief in God's absolute unity as the second of his Thirteen Principles of Faith, rooted directly in this verse.

The two letters ע (ayin) of שְׁמַע and ד (dalet) of אֶחָד are written enlarged in Torah scrolls and siddurim, spelling עֵד (ed) — "witness" — indicating that by reciting the Shema, every Jew becomes a witness to God's oneness.

---

For personal guidance on the laws of reciting the Shema, consult your local rabbi or posek.