What does Shema Yisrael mean?

The words

Shema – “hear”, meaning understand and accept. Yisrael – the Jewish people, and also, the Midrash says, Jacob, whose sons declared this to him. Adonai Eloheinu – the Lord, who is our God now. Adonai Echad – the Lord is one, and in the future all will recognise Him as one.

The paragraphs

The full Shema contains three passages: Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (love God, teach these words, tefillin and mezuzah), Deuteronomy 11:13–21 (reward and consequences) and Numbers 15:37–41 (tzitzit and remembering the Exodus). After the first verse, “Baruch shem kevod malchuto le’olam va’ed” is said quietly.

When it is said

Twice a day, “when you lie down and when you rise up”: in the morning within the first quarter of the day, and in the evening after nightfall, and again at bedtime. Children learn it first. Jewish martyrs throughout history died with the Shema on their lips, following Rabbi Akiva.

How it is said

The first verse is said aloud, with the right hand covering the eyes to concentrate, stretching out the word “echad”. Someone who does not understand Hebrew may say it in a language he understands; the main thing is to accept God’s kingship with intention.

Beyond the prayers

The Shema is said in the bedtime prayer, by a person near death, and at the end of Yom Kippur. The first paragraph is written in every mezuzah and in tefillin.