Unpacking the Shema

This episode explores the profound meaning behind the Shema—six ancient words that have echoed through Jewish tradition for centuries. More than a prayer, the Shema is a declaration of oneness: of faith, identity, and God. It has been whispered in moments of joy, desperation, and devotion, embedded in daily rituals like mezuzah and tefillin, and passed down through generations. The episode delves into how these words express the belief that God is One and that everything is connected through this oneness, turning ordinary moments into acts of reverence and unity.

Big Ideas

1. The Shema is a foundational Jewish prayer.
2. Covering our eyes during the Shema allows us to focus on God and the prayer’s meaning.
3. We are instructed to pass the words of the Shema from generation to generation.

Essential Questions

1. What does it mean that God is one?
2. How do we show that we believe in the oneness of God?
3. Which ritual objects are associated with the Shema?

video Transcript