There's something about the Shema

Shema Yisrael, YHWH Eloheinu YHWH Echad

Hear O Israel, YHWH is our God, YHWH is one

In all the Bible the "abbreviated Shema" (Deuteronomy 6:4, above) is surely the most quintessential verse of Judaism. The full Shema is much longer than just that one verse; it includes Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41. Yet it is the single verse quoted above that has become the mainstay of Judaism, quoted by every observant Jew at least twice daily and, traditionally, in their dying breath. (I attended a Jewish fellowship last night in which we recited this verse seven times in succession!) Keep in mind, though, that almost all Jews would avoid saying the Name of God (see the previous post for more on this) so, effectively, the verse becomes: