What is the Shema?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Shema is a foundational Jewish prayer taken from Scripture that calls believers to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength, and to faithfully obey His commandments. The word "Shema" means more than just hearing; it means listening attentively and responding in action. It emphasizes God’s oneness and the importance of teaching His ways to the next generation, with physical reminders, like the tzitzit, originally used to keep the covenant in mind. Jesus affirmed the Shema as the greatest commandment, highlighting its enduring significance for Christians as a call to wholehearted love and obedience to God. Today, the Shema challenges us to prioritize God in every part of our lives and to live intentionally in faithful relationship with Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Shema is the title of a prayer that Jews recite twice daily: every morning and every evening. This prayer, often considered the most important prayer in Judaism, is taken from Scripture and is composed of Deuteronomy 6:4–9, Deuteronomy 11:13–21, and Numbers 15:37–41. These recitations are meant to express a commitment of loyalty to keeping covenant with God by loving Him fully, obeying His ways, and teaching children to do the same.
• The first portion of the Shema asserts the oneness of God and the supremacy of His kingship, commanding people to love God with all their heart, soul, and might and to teach these commands diligently to their children (Deuteronomy 6:4–7).
• The second portion explains that obeying these commands brings blessings, while disobedience brings punishment, and it repeats the words of the first portion in the second person plural, addressing the entire community (Deuteronomy 11:13–21).
• The third portion instructs the people to wear the tzitzit (tassels) on their garments as a visible reminder to follow God’s commandments and remain faithful to their covenant with Him (Numbers 15:37–41).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus references the Shema in Mark 12:28–31 when responding to the question of which commandment is the most important. Since Jesus affirmed the importance of loving the one true God with every aspect of ourselves, it behooves Christians to familiarize themselves with this important Jewish prayer.
• Things like the tzitzit are part of the Mosaic covenant and not necessary for Christians today. But the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and all of it is profitable for helping us know God and for equipping us to live for Him (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
• Christians can look to the words of the Shema as a beautiful expression of God's kingship and covenant-keeping ways and as a call to live out a love for God that not only hears, but also obeys His call to love Him and love our neighbors (James 1:22–25; John 15:1–17; 1 John 3:16–18, 23–24; 4:7–12).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Shema calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Our relationship with God should be total and wholehearted. In today’s busy world filled with distractions, we are still called to intentionally prioritize God above all else, letting His Word shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions. It also challenges us to actively teach and model God’s commands to the next generation, ensuring His truth lives on in our families and communities. While wearing the tzitzit as a physical reminder is no longer common, we can create our own reminders of God’s commandments and covenant through daily habits that keep us focused on our relationship with Him. The Shema invites us to live in constant awareness of God’s presence and to live according to His will, trusting that obedience brings blessing and that faithfulness honors the One true God.

UNDERSTAND

• The Shema is a central Jewish prayer that calls believers to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength.
• The Shema calls us to attentive listening and active obedience to God.
• Jesus affirmed the Shema as the greatest commandment, highlighting its ongoing importance for Christians to love God fully and live faithfully.

REFLECT

• How are you actively loving God with your whole heart, soul, and strength in your daily life?
• How do you listen attentively to God’s Word and respond with obedience, rather than just hearing?
• How are you intentionally teaching and modeling God’s commands to those around you, especially the next generation?

ENGAGE

• How can a deeper understanding of the Shema transform the way we prioritize God amid life’s distractions?
• What are practical ways we can create meaningful reminders of God’s covenant in our lives today?
• How does Jesus’s affirmation of the Shema shape our understanding of loving God and loving others?