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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Shema</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_shema.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/deuteronomy/6-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/shema.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Shema</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_shelter_of_your_wings.htm" title="The Shelter of Your Wings">◄</a> The Shema <a href="/topical/t/the_shema_and_the_call_to_love_god.htm" title="The Shema and the Call to Love God">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Shema is a central declaration of the Jewish faith, encapsulated in a series of biblical passages that affirm the oneness of God and the devotion required from His followers. It is traditionally recited twice daily by observant Jews and holds significant theological and liturgical importance within both Judaism and Christianity.<br><br><b>Biblical Texts</b><br><br>The primary text of the Shema is found in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-9</a>, which begins with the proclamation: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One" (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>). This verse is a foundational statement of monotheism, emphasizing the unique and singular nature of God. The passage continues with a commandment to love God wholeheartedly: "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>). The subsequent verses instruct the faithful to keep these words in their hearts, teach them to their children, and display them as symbols on their hands and foreheads, as well as on the doorposts of their homes.<br><br>The Shema also includes passages from <a href="/deuteronomy/11-13.htm">Deuteronomy 11:13-21</a> and <a href="/numbers/15-37.htm">Numbers 15:37-41</a>. <a href="/deuteronomy/11-13.htm">Deuteronomy 11:13-21</a> reiterates the call to love and serve God, promising blessings for obedience and warning of consequences for disobedience. <a href="/numbers/15-37.htm">Numbers 15:37-41</a> introduces the commandment to wear tassels on the corners of garments as a reminder of God's commandments.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>The Shema is a profound expression of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It underscores the exclusive worship and allegiance due to God, rejecting idolatry and polytheism. The Shema's call to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus identifies it as the greatest commandment (<a href="/mark/12-29.htm">Mark 12:29-30</a>).<br><br>For Christians, the Shema is not only a declaration of faith but also a call to live a life of devotion and obedience to God. It serves as a reminder of the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, affirming the consistent message of God's sovereignty and the call to love Him fully.<br><br><b>Liturgical Use</b><br><br>In Jewish tradition, the Shema is recited during morning and evening prayers, forming a central part of the liturgy. It is also recited at significant moments, such as during the Yom Kippur service and at the time of death. The Shema's recitation is an act of faith and commitment, reinforcing the believer's dedication to God's commandments.<br><br><b>Cultural and Historical Context</b><br><br>The Shema has been a defining element of Jewish identity throughout history. It has been a source of strength and resilience, particularly during times of persecution. The Shema's emphasis on teaching and remembering God's commandments has contributed to the preservation of Jewish faith and practice across generations.<br><br>In summary, the Shema is a vital component of biblical theology and worship, encapsulating the essence of monotheistic faith and the call to love and serve God with undivided devotion. Its enduring significance is reflected in its continued use and reverence within both Jewish and Christian traditions.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/shema.htm">Shema</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--a_benjamite.htm">Shema: A Benjamite</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--a_city_of_the_tribe_of_judah.htm">Shema: A City of the Tribe of Judah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--a_man_who_stood_at_the_right_hand_of_ezra_when_he_read_the_law_to_the_people.htm">Shema: A Man Who Stood at the Right Hand of Ezra when he Read the Law to the People</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--a_son_of_hebron.htm">Shema: A Son of Hebron</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--son_of_joel.htm">Shema: Son of Joel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/shema--son_of_joel--called_shemaiah.htm">Shema: Son of Joel: Called Shemaiah</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shema.htm">Shema (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shemaah.htm">Shemaah (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_shelter_of_your_wings.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Shelter of Your Wings"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Shelter of Your Wings" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_shema_and_the_call_to_love_god.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Shema and the Call to Love God"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Shema and the Call to Love God" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>