The Shema is more than just a prayer -- it is the Jewish profession of faith. For
generations, Jews have marked the most meaningful events of their lives with the
recitation of the Shema. It is said when one rises in the morning and when one retires at
night; in joy; in despair; in thankfulness; in resignation; when praising G-d; when
beseeching G-d; and even when questioning G-d. It is usually the first prayer taught to
children, the last thing on the lips of martyrs and is part of the deathbed confession. No
one can miss the emotion in a Jew's voice when he/she intones:
Shema Yisrael, Ado-nai el-oheinu, Ado-nai echad.
Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One. (Deut. 6:4)
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