Prayer - A Traditional Hebraic Perspective
If one accepts the Traditional and Messianic Hebraic perspective that deep within the Sacred Shabbat is encapsulated the quintessence of the relationship between G_D and Israel - between G_D and humanity … then it might be worth pondering the importance and relevance of the foremost cited and revered traditional Hebrew prayer … generally referred to as the “Shema/V’ahavta” in as much that this prayer has come to serve as the foundational Jewish profession of faith and prayer life … and as will be seen so very much more!
It must be noted that the Shema is an aggregation of a few key Scripture passages found within the Tanakh (so called Christian Old Testament) … which include the “Shema/V’ahavta” (Deuteronomy 6:4–9) … The “V'haya im shamoa” (Deuteronomy 11:13-21) … and “Vayomer” (Numbers 15:37–41) respectively. The complete prayer is provided below herein!
(Note: Unlike the English language and transliterated text below herein the actual Hebrew text is read "right to left".)
So what then is this “Shema” prayer all about and why is it so vitally important to Israel in the original Hebraic perspective? To begin let us look at Deuteronomy 6:4-9 … we should see how it begins with the critical Hebrew word Shema … which means:
As should be seen the prayer thus starts out with an axiomatic mandate to listen up and take to your very deepest inside human element the truth that Israel’s G_D is ADONAI (The LORD in Hebrew) … he stands alone above all else … he is the very essence of all that is!
We see where this truth is not just about some mere mental affirmation … the prayer represents a mandate for every individual to take this very truth into the heart. Take this truth and make it a way of life … having this truth and having it manifest at all times … being single minded in the ways of G_D … having this truth and passing it down faithfully from generation to generation … having this truth guide our very existence and finally having this truth formally codified by marking the house and gates of our dwellings!
What we see in the “Shema” is essentially the core element of Israel’s Kingdom Constitution. Contained within the Shema we see essentially what being a Jew is all about … being a person that is in a relationship with the living G_D … a person that is single-mindedly aligned with G_D … a person that is a member of Kingdom Israel. Hence we should gain valuable insights into the essential nature and importance of what “Shema Yisrael” means to a faithful Jewish person … to the faithful Jew there is no existence without Shema Yisrael!
On a deeper and more complex note please be aware that within the Sacred Texts there are two larger-print letters in the first sentence …
The 'ayin ע in the word shema and the daleth ד in the word echad which, when combined, spell "דע" pronounced “ed” which in Hebrew means "witness".
The idea thus conveyed is that through the recitation or professing of the Shema, one is a living witness testifying to the truth of its message! Clearly the underlying importance of this declaration, yea this entire expounding of Torah, from Moses was well understood in the Hebraic culture! When this little piece of information is coupled with the fact that “the people” ("haAM”) are most often communally referred to as “haEDAH" … "the witnesses", we should begin to get a clearer picture of the Jewish mindset! Or at least one can hope as much!
So then … we hopefully should recognize how important the “Shema” is to Israel and understand why a faithful Jew is expected (according to the sages) to recite the prayer minimally twice a day … when you arise and when you lie down to sleep. But beyond sheer testimony to this truth let us consider if we do not already know … how the recitation of the Shema can be representative of an individual offering up the twice daily communal “burnt offering” to ADONAI in accordance with the Holy Service conducted within the Temple.
It certainly goes without question that the Jewish sages discerned the connection between "prayer" and the "holy service" (avodah). Although it is the duty and privilege of the priests to present the olah (whole burnt offering) sacrifices to G_D … we see where these same sages envisioned how every Jew spiritually and ritually participated as it pertains to presenting the "olah" to G_D … as it pertains to presenting the singular sacrifice that is symbolic of the unique covenantal relationship between G_D and community Israel.
For those not aware of the "olah" it literally means that which "goes up" … or "ascending" … or perhaps in some manner we can visualize the rising pleasing aroma making an "aliyah" to G_D. Unlike other specific sacrifices (peace, guilt, sin, etc.) within the Holy Service, the "olah" has been discerned to be the sacrifice that is given completely to G_D … a whole burnt offering … an offering of simple and complete dedication to G_D on behalf of Kingdom Israel.
Moving along … the V'haya im shamoa - Deuteronomy 11:13-21 portion of the prayer presents us with a little bit of different dynamic in that the prayer now moves further towards a communal/national/kingdom perspective and does so clearly within the auspices of the Everlasting Covenant and the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … (the Patriarchs).
We see clearly where there are continued blessings associated with heart felt compliance to G_D's commandments - G_D's Torah and conversely we see where there are harsh penalties if Kingdom Israel wavers in their faith. Consequently this portion of the prayer brings to mind the great promises to Israel … their inheritance … their blessings! But also the responsibilities associated with being the chosen people Israel … the children of the covenant.
It must be remembered that Israel was raised up by G_D to serve him as the mechanism for restoration of his creation. Israel by design is intended to stand in the gap for the nations … to be the light to the nations and therefore manifest G_D’s glorious character and benevolence upon the Earth. This portion of the prayer calls into mind the responsibility of Nation Israel and just as well forewarns Israel what becomes of them if they forsake their covenantal charter!
Sh'mot/Exodus (19:4-6) Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will hearken unto my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.'
Vaikra/Leviticus (20:22-24) Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all mine ordinances, and do them, that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out. And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. But I have said unto you: 'Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your G_D, who have set you apart from the peoples.
Devarim/Deuteronomy (4:5-8) Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as the LORD my G_D commanded me, that ye should do so in the midst of the land whither ye go in to possess it. Observe therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples that, when they hear all these statutes, shall say: 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there, that hath G_D so nigh unto them, as the LORD our G_D is when so ever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that hath statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
Isaiah (56:4-7) For thus says the LORD concerning the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast by my covenant: Even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a monument and a memorial better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting memorial, that shall not be cut off. Also the aliens, that join themselves to the LORD, to minister unto him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast by my covenant: Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon mine altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
Hopefully we can see the relevance and importance of the V'haya im shamoa portion of this great Hebrew prayer. We see in this portion of the prayer where G_D has established the chosen peoples' purpose in the great restoration plan. G_D did not redeem Israel simply to raise up the Jewish people. G_D raised up the Jewish people so that "all nations" would be drawn into G_D's glorious light! G_D desired that Israel would flourish within the auspices of the Everlasting Covenant and all other nations would marvel at Israel's success and be drawn to the source of their blessings and goodness … G_D Himself!
When faithful Jews recite this portion of the prayer it is hoped that their thoughts are drawn to the promises made by G_D and just as well the great commission they were given by G_D and their communal responsibilities … to their homeland-Israel … and to all the nations of the Earth.
The final component of the prayer consists of the Vayomer - Numbers 15:37-41 segment wherein we see ADONAI’s great exhortation to Israel … “Be holy for ADONAI is holy” … but clearly G_D does so while making Israel understand that conforming to his holiness is not something that is innate to a fallen humanity … even the chosen people Israel. Herein we see G_D clearly define the propensity of fallen man and the need to be constantly reminded of this propensity.
But there is more going on here as well. Within vayomer we must realize that the command to wear tzitzit (fringes) on their clothing is also a tangible means of separation between the ways of this temporal world … olam hazeh … and the ways of ADONAI! In many respects the tzitzit represent the most visible and tangible testimony of either being with G_D … or with the world.
Additionally … despite the poor English translation it should be noted that the Hebrew word "zonim" literally translates as whore. So in actuality within this portion of the prayer it is considered by traditional Judaism to represent that unique Biblical dynamic between G_D and Israel … between Husband and Wife … wherein G_D views Israel's unfaithfulness in the same way a husband views a wife's sexual infidelity.
Shema Conclusion
As is often the case with commentaries provided on these diverse and in many ways complex matters … the information provided is done so necessarily at a fairly high level … hopefully depicting some major points worth noting. Quite frankly a comprehensive study on the Shema by itself could entail books if we wanted to really delve into the nuances of the Hebrew language and the comprehensive writings of the Jewish sages.
What is important however is for us to gain an appreciation for the importance of this “Shema” prayer from a Hebraic perspective! It is important that we know about Shema Israel because this prayer is fundamental to the Jewish people … fundamental to the Hebrew Faith … fundamental to all believers in the G_D of Israel … including the Gentiles!
In just these few brief pages of review we should realize just how essential this Shema prayer is to the Jewish people. We should readily see how this prayer broadly incorporates the following:
As we hopefully can see … there is so very much going on with this great Hebrew prayer of old … The Shema!
Let us for a moment once again revisit the idea of Hebrew prayer and it's very nature being to understand what G_D wants … what G_D has in store for us … what G_D wants us to ask of him!
Above all else in the Hebrew tradition we are presented with their great prayer … and we should not be disappointed in Moses or the Jewish people … or most certainly not disappointed with their understanding of G_D and prayer. When one ponders the Shema introspectively we are confronted with the essential framework of Israel's everlasting covenant with G_D and their divine charter! We are confronted with true Israel and all the implications that emanate from this great prayer and the covenantal relationship with G_D!
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