Torah Portion Our Words And Deeds Underlie Commitment mercy and truth. What a glorious privilege it is that we have been called upon to be such witnesses. But the Jew who recites the Sh'ma does more than make a statement about belief. He also makes a commit- ment to live by the teachings of this faith. In the words of our sages, he n this week's sedrah, we find the thereby "accepts the yoke of the king- greatest of all declarations that dom of heaven." It is not enough to the Bible contains — the Sh'ma. profess God in words. He also is to be r, "Hear, 0 Israel, the Lord is our loved through deeds. Hence the verse God, the Lord is One." of the Sh'ma is followed by the next This verse is recited every day dur- passage which declares, "You shall love ing the morning and evening service. the Lord, your God, with all It is the most famous of the your heart and with all your Torah's 5,845 verses. soul and with all your The infant just learning might." Subsequent verses how to speak is taught define how this love is to be among the very first words, expressed — through the the words of the Sh'ma. The observance of the com- Jew whose life is ending sum- mandments, through the mons his last energy for the discipline of daily conduct, final utterance of this verse. through the fulfillment of It is important for us to sacred acts. note that the Sh'ma is not Thus, these verses set forth RABBI IRWIN really a prayer which is the method by which we GRONER addressed to God, but rather may realize the recognition Special to is this statement directed to The Jewish News of the divine unity, as well other Jews and not only to as our obligation to love other Jews, but to one's self. God and obey His com- It is not so much a prayer as it is a mandments. For this very passage of proclamation, a declaration. Jews are the Torah is to be written as a sign reminding each other and telling each bound to a man's hand, as frontlets other the most important truth. before his eyes (tefillin) and on the Maurice Samuel once observed that doorposts of his house (mezuzah). the Jew not only taught monotheism, Finally, these commandments are he "sweated it out." Into this doctrine, not only to be obeyed by the adult the Jew compressed all he believed community, but they must be trans- about God. Out of this doctrine, he mitted to future generations. For this, -7/\ drew all he believed about humanity the intensive education of the young is in the world. required. "And you shall teach them Thus, the Sh'ma taught many diligently unto your children." At the lessons. The statement negates poly- very heart of Judaism is this concern theism, dualism and atheism. It for the systematic education of the affirms the unity and order of the nat- young, first in the family and then on ural universe and the unity of history a communal basis. as the unfolding of the divine plan. Thus, the Sh'ma is the way of faith, The God of the Sh'ma is, for the love, commitment and education. The Jewish people, not only one but "Our Sh'ma is our vision and hope that God," the Almighty to who we are someday all mankind will recognize bound in an unbreakable covenant one God and will become one human- and whose will we are to fulfill. ity. ❑ In the text of the Hebrew Bible, the last letter — ayin — of the first word "Sh'ma" (hear) is written large, as is the last letter — daled — of the last In what way does the recitation of word "Ehad" (one). These two letters the Sh'rna provide a unifying spell the Hebrew word Ed meaning effect for the Jewish people? How "witness. do the words of the Sh'ma aid us The implication of this commen- in accepting God's dominion over tary is that, in reciting the Sh'ma, the us? What hopes for the future are Jew bears witness that he believes in implied in the prayer and how can the one God, a God of righteousness, each of us work to bring about Irwin Groner is senior rabbi of the unification of mankind? Shabbat Vaetchanan: Deuteronomy 3:23- 7.11; Isaiah 40:1-26 I RABBI MAX IN 1E INSTITUTE FOR JUDAISM CELEBRATING ITS 25TH FEAR An Opportunity to Learn the Basics about Judaism (to assist in conversion to Judaism) sponsored by THE CONSERVATIVE RABBIS OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT Starting Tuesday, September 8, 1998 at 7:30 PM at Congregation Beth Shalom FOR INFORMATION: Call your Conservative Rabbi or Rabbi Nelson at 547 7970 - 014st Mishpuchc, The f\appy Jewish Greeting Cards W a rm, witty, whimsical cards to celebrate the Jewish holidays and all sorts of everyday occasions. 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