A. The blessings of the Shema lead up to the actual recitation of the Shema itself.
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1. The first blessing is the blessing of G-d the Creator. In this blessing, we bless,
praise and thank G-d for the miracle of creation and acknowledge G-d's ongoing
involvement in that process. The Shabbat version of the blessing varies slightly from the
weekday version in that it focuses more on G-d's supremacy as the ultimate Creator. The
first blessing is broken down into six segments.
- 1) The first segment blesses G-d for the creation of the Universe.
- 2) The second segment thanks G-d for the creation and affirms G-d's
supremacy in all things.
- 3) the third segment affirms G-d's greatness as we perceive it in the form
of the heavenly bodies. Because the heavenly bodies are so awe inspiring, we are further
inspired to praise their Creator.
- 4) On Shabbat the fourth segment differs from the weekday version in that
in focuses on and praises the Sabbath Day.
- 5) The fifth segment blesses G-d for making it possible for us to act in
accord with the Angels in honoring G-d the Creator.
- 6) The sixth segment reviews all of the above and blesses G-d as "Creator
of the Lights."
- 2. The Second blessing, leading to the actual recitation of the Shema, blesses and
thanks G-d for choosing His people, Israel, with love. We ask G-d to instill in our hearts
the ability to understand and elucidate, listen, learn, teach, safeguard, perform and fulfill
all of the words of the Torah.
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